Union Shop Steward Case Study

Background of the Study

A union shop steward was on her regularly scheduled day off at home. She was called by her supervisor and told to talk to three union members and instruct them to attend a meeting called a "Quest for Quality Interaction Committee". The union had objected to the implementation of the Quest for Quality program. Since the employees were not paid extra for serving on these teams, the union told employees they could attend the meeting if their jobs were threatened, but they should do so under protest and then file a grievance afterward. On the day in question, in a three-way conversation with the three employees, the union shop steward told them that she would not order them to attend the Quest for Quality meeting,
Alternative Courses of Action

The management did the right decision of suspending the union shop steward because of the failure to follow the job assignment which is to direct employees to attend the meeting. Although the union shop steward is on her day off, she is still responsible to inform those employees because she is on the position that mediates the two parties. Since the only concern of the management is to have consent from the union regarding the participation of the employees. The union shop steward abused her right as an employee because of her confidence that she is protected by the union and the law.

Since the management practiced their responsibility to let employees participate in decision making processes, the union and the union shop steward should perform the task assigned and coordinate with the management. The union should be responsible in directing union members to participate on the program proposed by the management. Also perform the collective bargaining agreement to know the point of view of the both