Reference no: EM132651730

Where's The Money?

Mitch Sanderson, the HR manager for a small tool manufacturing plant in eastern Canada, was surprised when his assistant Jessica brought in a brown inter-office envelope. She said, "Rachel, the USW chief steward, just came by and said to give this to you ASAP." Mitch opened the envelope and took out the single sheet of paper, quickly noting it was a grievance form.

Scanning the grievance form Mitch sighed, picked up the phone and called Rachel's extension. When she answered he said, "Rachel, really, a policy grievance? What's this all about? Let me grab you a coffee and I'll swing by your desk in ten minutes." Arriving with two large coffees, Mitch sat down at Rachel's work station. She looked at him and said, "Mitch we have talked about this three months ago and at the time you said you would fix things in accounting. I don't like getting a call from my business agent screaming 'Where is the money?'" After taking a sip of her coffee, she continued, "The accounting office failed again to submit the full monthly union dues payment to the USW regional office. We are not a charity, and management agreed to our request in bargaining to a check-off clause to be implemented and followed on a monthly basis. When I spoke to you when this last happened, you said you would fix it. Well, I don't think it worked, so our local's grievance committee said I should file the grievance."

Mitch thought to himself that he didn't really have a leg to stand on in this case. The collective agreement with USW clearly noted a union dues check-off responsibility on the part of the employer. However, it was not detailed in terms of the accounts payable duty of the employer. Rachel noted, "I can tell what you're thinking Mitch, why a policy grievance?" "Yeah, I was wondering that too," commented Mitch. "I guess when all else fails attack the management rights clause." Rachel smiled and said, "So can you fix things soon and assure this won't happen again?" Mitch nodded and said he was on his way to the accounting office and would arrange for a direct deposit to the union account to be made within one business day. Rachel noted, "When that happens and I receive a friendlier call from my business agent, I'll formally withdraw this grievance; case closed."

He headed down to see his colleague in the accounting office. Mitch needed to persuade the supervisor in accounts payable that failing to make this monthly fund transfer to the USW account on time was no laughing matter. His good working relationship with Rachel helped in this instance. Next time, it might be him who received a call from the USW business agent asking in a not-too-friendly tone, "Where's the money?"

Questions

1. What is the role of a union local's grievance committee?

2. What is a policy grievance and why was it used in this case?

3. Explain why there is merit in improving the language related to the check-off clause now seen in the contract. What additional HR action might also be taken with workplace staff not formerly within the HR department but whose job responsibilities are linked in some way to union business?