I filed charges against the company paired with Boeing (with the NLRB) as a Union Steward and had the Union threaten me because I didn’t ask their permission first. (Did NOT have to… fatass representative needed to read the LAW.) I was suspended (of course), but eventually reinstated with backpay. But the day I had to stand before the company VP and the stupid smug managers without any union backup to be suspended without pay for insubordination, I managed to stand there boldly and look them in the eye, as if I had not a care in the world. As soon as I made my own statement for the record, I walked outside around the building and fell to the ground, knees shaking and crying like a little girl.
It was a lot to take on alone and all the union workers in my shop let me know (at home) that they appreciated what I’d done, but that they couldn’t support me openly, because they needed the paycheck. I understood… Having Nick on my team gave me courage they couldn’t afford with families to feed. Over the next months, the stress was tough, but I was determined that standing on principle was more important that money and that speaking truth to power was a valid battle stance. In the end, I got my big check and the opportunity to tell the jerks off, but in reality? They taught the next Union Steward that if they stood up to them, they would go without a paycheck for a long time.
HOWEVER…
Last year, when my son and I were coming back from Baltimore and we were talking about a situation that my husband and I face right now that reeks of injustice, I told my son that sometimes I think we will just let it go. And he said to me “Mom! Remember when you stood up to your company’s managers and won? I was so proud of you! You aren’t backing down now are you?”
Never in the open but always operating as posted.
C’MON
I filed charges against the company paired with Boeing (with the NLRB) as a Union Steward and had the Union threaten me because I didn’t ask their permission first. (Did NOT have to… fatass representative needed to read the LAW.) I was suspended (of course), but eventually reinstated with backpay. But the day I had to stand before the company VP and the stupid smug managers without any union backup to be suspended without pay for insubordination, I managed to stand there boldly and look them in the eye, as if I had not a care in the world. As soon as I made my own statement for the record, I walked outside around the building and fell to the ground, knees shaking and crying like a little girl.
It was a lot to take on alone and all the union workers in my shop let me know (at home) that they appreciated what I’d done, but that they couldn’t support me openly, because they needed the paycheck. I understood… Having Nick on my team gave me courage they couldn’t afford with families to feed. Over the next months, the stress was tough, but I was determined that standing on principle was more important that money and that speaking truth to power was a valid battle stance. In the end, I got my big check and the opportunity to tell the jerks off, but in reality? They taught the next Union Steward that if they stood up to them, they would go without a paycheck for a long time.
HOWEVER…
Last year, when my son and I were coming back from Baltimore and we were talking about a situation that my husband and I face right now that reeks of injustice, I told my son that sometimes I think we will just let it go. And he said to me “Mom! Remember when you stood up to your company’s managers and won? I was so proud of you! You aren’t backing down now are you?”
Well, at least someone noticed.
http://whatisupwiththesynod.com/index.php/2015/10/21/we-must-walk-open-eyed-into-that-trap-with-courage-but-small-hope-for-ourselves/