UTU Local 161
To: All Union Members January 8, 2006
From: Paul Schneider, Chairman
Re: Our NLRB Claim
Over the past few months, Rodney and I have met with the National Labor Relations Board to receive assistance on three issues of concern. We filed a claim against the company regarding:
1. Refusal to provide information requested by the union.
2. Refusing to grant Weingarten rights.
3. Implementing a policy handbook that was not negotiated with the union.
When investigating a case, the union has a right to request information from the company that deals directly with the issue in question. We asked for copies of signed receipts for the drivers’ handbook. At first the company balked, but after filing our claim with the NLRB, they eventually allowed us to retrieve the information. We found that only two-thirds of the drivers have copies of this handbook.
The company wrote a driver up for not answering questions from a manager. He felt those questions could lead to disciplinary action, so he rightfully asked for a union rep to be present. The company’s lawyer eventually agreed that GLS could not write up the driver for refusing to answer questions. That letter of discipline was edited to reflect that change.
As for implementing the handbook, the NLRB felt too much time had passed since the implementation back in 2000. At the time, Dan Bentley had requested that the language regarding mandatory drug testing be changed and the company did make that revision. The NLRB compared the two handbooks and commented that they only differ in a few areas. They recommended we sit down with the company and address the specific clauses of concern and work together towards a mutual agreement. I am certainly willing to do that.
The company made movement on the first two issues, and the union has acquiesced on the third. As a result, we have now withdrawn our charge and look forward to resolving our differences “in house” regarding this handbook.
As always, any questions or concerns should be voiced to a union rep.
Sincerely,
Paul