Work Related Union Question

[sherabby]

I really need some advice from others out there who are part of unions. We have a situation at work where a former employee (police chief) retired and went to work as a sales person for a company that sets up online payments for you on your website.
Part of my job is accounts receivables. I'm the bookkeeper and I do everything financial.

Do we have a grievance because our manager just signed a contract to take some of our in house collections and give them to this internet company?

Also our new manager wants to make one of our clerk/receptionist his administrative assistant. We have had assistant managers before and they are not permitted to be in the union. He plans to pay her more and keep her in the union. I'm mostly upset because I've been overlooked last contract but the two clerks got a nice raise and a bump up in category. Now she stands to get another $5000 in salary. Oh and then my boss proceeds to tell me that he wants me to to parts of his job which include budgeting.

Sorry for my vent today but I don't know if any of this holds up as a grievance or not? I know and I am happy and thankful that I have a job....15 years now at the same one!

 

[a1tinkfans]

I don't have any answers for you but you can call your Union to discuss. BUT, you are then in the position of "questioning" your bosses decisions (whether right or wrong) so weigh it all out so that you know all the possible scenario's that MAY come of the inquiry and/or complaint.
Best of Luck!

 

[patsal]

Every contract is different, and I know my contract says that our administrators cannot "outsource" things that would eliminate work for us. I would check the wording or make an appointment to visit with your union rep. (s)he would know the particuliars and be able to answer any of your questions. If the rep thinks there is an issue they can then help you to initiate a grievance.

 

[sherabby]

I don't have any answers for you but you can call your Union to discuss. BUT, you are then in the position of "questioning" your bosses decisions (whether right or wrong) so weigh it all out so that you know all the possible scenario's that MAY come of the inquiry and/or complaint.
Best of Luck!

We have a brand new boss who isn't trained at all. He's making some mistakes.

The main reason I wanted some outside help is that I did call our union rep and because we are a small union of only 5 members we tend to get the shaft...our issues are not that important. Also he told me that we cannot argue that you are taking our work away from us yet our police dept always wins when they use that arguement. I just don't get it.

 

[sherabby]

Every contract is different, and I know my contract says that our administrators cannot "outsource" things that would eliminate work for us. I would check the wording or make an appointment to visit with your union rep. (s)he would know the particuliars and be able to answer any of your questions. If the rep thinks there is an issue they can then help you to initiate a grievance.

I don't think our contract has anything about outsourcing in it. It does mention the use of part time employees up to 20 hours but nothing about outsourcing. I've called our union rep. He acts like he doesn't want to help us and I'm ready do go over his head.

 

[allyphoe]

Also our new manager wants to make one of our clerk/receptionist his administrative assistant. We have had assistant managers before and they are not permitted to be in the union. He plans to pay her more and keep her in the union.

I've never seen a work situation where "administrative assistant to a manager" and "assistant manager" were anything even remotely close to the same job. "Administrative assistant" is essentially a clerk/receptionist with a nicer title.

 

[sherabby]

I've never seen a work situation where "administrative assistant to a manager" and "assistant manager" were anything even remotely close to the same job. "Administrative assistant" is essentially a clerk/receptionist with a nicer title.

I do understand but what I don't understand is that she is going to be paid $5,00 more a year for work that she is supposed to be doing anyway as per her boss.

 

[micheleq]

If your rep. isn't being responsive, I would go up the next level to get your questions answered. And then get a new rep.!!

 

[micheleq]

I just re-read your post. I was a union rep. in a teachers union, so I am not familiar with police unions.

However, if a former police employee is now soliciting the police force for contracted work, that is questionable on many levels. But, it may not be a union grievance (unless it is directly taking away from the work of union members and you can prove that).

It also sounds like you were passed over for a raise and/or promotion, and you are now being asked to do non-union work (your bosses work!).

You should be able to have someone explain (and document for that matter) why you were not given the raise or promotion, and you should have a clear guideline as to what your job duties are. Stay within those guidelines or else you'll just become a doormat.

Good luck. I know sometimes people are afraid to rock the boat, but your union should be there to help and protect you. Go above the local to the state or federal if you need to. You pay the dues and are just as important as any other union member. And get rid of your rep.! If s/he doesn't pay attention to your issues just because you are a small union, they are a horrible rep.