Union Representative.

Marslo

I'v been working in a certain company of about 70 employs, as a fabricator/welder for about a year. A few months back i was asked to become one of the three union Representatives. But so far the other two involved, which had allot more experience with unions (ei:some as opposed to none), basically quit. So for now till two new delegates are voted in, i'm left to my own devices. It's been going relatively well till now and i believe iv managed to build a good relationship with both employees and the direction.

But in the coming week, i will have to tackle some fairly touchy issues. Seeing as i have never had some prior "proper" education in this (iv studied visual arts at university and did a fabricator/welder apprenticeship) Iv tried to search for any good resources on how to manage union work, but in vain.

I don't know if anyone else ever had to deal with this sort of environment and would maybe have some advice for me.

bowen

I have, I wasn't a union rep but I knew the union rules for the most part, it's been a while though.

What problems?

Iceman.USAF

Think, then speak. Never do both at the same time. Honestly that's saved my butt more times than I can count. It's true for all 'negotiations' and business endeavors.

BlindZenDriver

I can't say how it may work stateside but here in Denmark where most people are organized, like in most of the EU, the unions are more than happy to help the representatives with guidance, education, legal aid.... basically the full package + of course the work place are supposed allow for union representatives to spend time on such things without it causing loss of pay to the representatives.

Edit: What I tried to say is that can't you get advice and help from the Union you represent - they should be the ones that know all the rules.


I would assume that if you're a union representative then you could get what you need from the local branch of said union. If I'm totally on the wrong track I apologize.