How to File a Retaliation Charge With a Labor Union

Even with all of the laws that are in place to protect against it, retaliation is a possible outcome when an employee files a complaint about someone else. If you are fortunate enough to have a union that can back you, or know other workers who are having the same issue and will support you, you are in a better situation than if you were to pursue the claim on your own.

Here are the steps to filing a retaliation charge with your labor union.

Instructions

1. Keep notes about what is happening at work. This is good preparation for contacting your labor-union representative, and helps to provide proof of what is going on.

2. Talk to your co-workers and find out if there are others who have been (or are being) retaliated against. Also, see if you can find out about former employees. The more informed you are about your situation and how it relates to the experiences of others, the better chance you have of being taken seriously by both your union and the company you work for.

3. Call your labor union and/or labor-union representative. Make an appointment to either speak on the phone or meet in person with your representative.

4. In your meeting with your union representative, present your information, as well as formally filing with him your grievance concerning retaliation.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't provide any information that can be labeled hearsay when you speak to your union representative. Hearsay isn't going to help you when it comes to filing a retaliation grievance. Bring the notes you have been keeping of what has been happening. Specify a date and time for each incident, and exactly what was said and happened. If you can, bring to your meeting other employees who have also been retaliated against, or have a conference call so they can talk, too. This lends credence to the grievance you are filing. Make sure your union representative provides you with a written copy of your grievance regarding the retaliation so you have the same records he does. This way if for some reason the union is not able to assist you and you make a decision to take your company to court, you have everything everyone else has. If you have your meeting over the phone, be sure that your labor union representative has copies of your notes beforehand.

• Be aware that some unions are very weak and may not be much help at all.

Resources

• Your Right to Exercise Your Health and Safety Rights Without Retaliation
• A Steward's Rights
• Workplace Issues