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Presenting the Grievance
Presenting a grievance is not like giving a speech. At a grievance meeting the steward is dealing with people, not with speeches. Some of us are better people persons than others. But this is also a skill that can be learned. The best way to learn it is to be mentored by someone who is a craftsperson at grievance presentation. If you can sit in on a good presentation, you will be ahead of the game. Most of us will have to learn it by instinct and common sense. Here are some rules to help.
1. No two people are approachable in the same manner; this applies to union members and company officials alike.
2. The union representative is after results that will benefit the worker and the group as a whole; he/she must submerge personal likes, dislikes, fears and prejudices.
3. Union representatives should not assume that their thinking processes operate in the same way as that of the members of whom they are speaking.
4. Effective human communication with the members or management, particularly when discussing complex issues, requires considerable patience and time.
5. Treat the members or company representatives as you would like to be treated.
Let any break in good relations come from the other side. Remember that the company representative to whom you are speaking is not always personally responsible for the complaint or grievance; therefore, you may get less cooperation from him/her by trying to place the blame on his/her shoulders.
6. It is not wise to place the company representative, or any person, in a position where they can’t retreat on an issue without a great deal of embarrassment. If possible, leave a back door open to provide an easy way out.
7. Continually evaluate the points the other person is making for substance. Look for underlying motives of their position. What is said and apparent on the surface, may not be the real issue at stake.
8. Take a positive position . . . not defensive. In trying to convince the other side to your point of view attempt first to get them in a yes frame of mind.
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