Your steward, of course, is the person to talk to when you have a problem on the job or a question about your working conditions. Neither you nor the steward knows if your problem is covered by the contract until you sit down and discuss it with him or her. If you have a problem, it probably means that other people have a similar problem, and the stewards want to know about it.
One of the most important rights we have in the contract is the right to meet with our steward on work time to discuss possible contract violations and to have a steward present at any meeting called by management where you believe discipline may possibly result.
If you want to meet privately with your steward to discuss questions about the contract, you must request a meeting with your steward by telling your supervisor that you "want to meet with your steward about a possible grievance." Since the hospital is often very picky about this, it is best to use that exact phrase. It is your supervisor's responsibility to set up the meeting promptly although it may not be possible to have the meeting the same day you request it due to the availability of your steward. Your supervisor should not ask you any questions or try to "resolve" the problem without a steward. If he/she does so, report it to the steward when you meet or to the Local 1942 office. If a meeting is not set up promptly contact the 1942 office, 233-1942, for further assistance.
If you want a steward to be present at a meeting called by management, where you feel discipline may be a result of the meeting, you must tell your supervisor that you want your steward at the meeting. Although management may provide a steward without your request, you should not count on them to do so. Every single area of our local is covered by a steward although the steward may not even work in your department.
If you get a response from your supervisor that there is no steward, or any other kind of hassle, politely but firmly inform him or her that if the meeting is held without a steward you will inform the Union of the problem and that Local 1942 will take appropriate action. Even if it means that the meeting needs to be rescheduled, management is supposed to have the steward at the meeting if you request it.
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