Contact Your Union for Help If You…
- experience employment-related difficulties and are unsure what to do
- are called into a meeting that may lead to discipline, discharge, or changes in your working conditions
- think our contract may have been violated
- think you may have been unfairly disciplined or discharged
- are reporting discrimination or sexual misconduct and would like additional support during the university’s investigation process
Any grievances must be filed within 30 days of the incident, so contact a steward as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out! Even if you’re uncertain if it’s something your union can help with, it’s better to contact a steward just in case.
If you’re unsure of which Steward to contact, call, text, or email the general GLU Hotline.
The Right to Have a Steward in a Meeting
Under our contract and Minnesota state law, everyone who works under our contract has the right to a steward in any meeting that may:
- Lead to discipline
- Lead to discharge (i.e. getting fired), OR
- Lead to changes to working conditions.
In a meeting like this, a steward can:
- Take notes and act as a witness so it’s not just your word vs. your supervisor’s word
- Ask for the supervisor to clarify details
- Call for a temporary recess to advise you on how to answer questions
- Stop harassment or abuse
TELL YOUR SUPERVISOR:
“If this discussion could lead in any way to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative or steward be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any question.”
Why is having a steward helpful in these situations?
Often, meetings like this can be really stressful. It’s helpful to have another person there on your side who can help you remember what happened, make sure that you are treated fairly, and help ensure you have time to respond without being under duress.
If you think you may have been or are being unfairly disciplined or discharged, contact a steward. If the circumstances don’t meet the “just cause” standard, this may be grievable.
Do I need to be a dues-paying member to receive help from the union?
No. All bargaining unit members have access to the same grievance procedure, protections, and the right to representation. However, signing up for membership allows you to have a say in how we run our union and paying dues strengthens our union and our ability to fight for grad workers.
UMN Graduate Labor Union 