A quick introduction
First of, I'd like to say hello to all my union brothers & sisters. I've been a member here for a little while now, but like all sites, I usually take about a month to just read posts to get a feel of it. So, for not speaking until now, I apologize.
I have been a Teamster now for 9 years, and a steward for the past year. Needless to say, my popularity with the company has dropped, and I have gone from being the star to "we're sorry we ever hired you" guy. They have been able to intimidate the other stewards (actually, we've only had 2 others in the 9 years I've been there), but not me. They have found out that I am a fighter, and that I am not afraid to do so, though I pick & choose my battles carefully. I am also one who took the time that I have been there to watch & learn how the company does things. In other words, I know there strengths, weaknesses and secrets. But my strength comes from not taking the job too seriously, in that it's just a job, a means to pay my bills. I was raised to give 100% at work, but that I should not love a job because they come and go. In other words, the fear of firing me holds very little water or strength with me.
But I just got tired of watching my fellow workers being treated any type of way by management, virtually getting away with violating the contract at whim. And just like they felt free to give written warnings at will, I feel nothing less to file a grievance the same way. The brothers & sisters that I work with are a good group that have pulled together when the company need us to do so. They deserve better than what we are getting, and I am working to try to make that happen.
Again, I apologize for not posting until now. Know this though, that is I'm here, either on my laptop or Blackberry reading and learning from you all. In front or in back, I am Teamster & I am here.
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