Make a Statement
The Dispute Resolution Process deals with contractual and discipline issues. Under the Dispute Resolution Process, after the Informal Step A meeting between Shop Steward and Supervisor, the Branch 6000 Area Representative and Postmaster meet at the Formal Step A hearing.
During these steps, all documentation should be exchanged between the parties. All too often the grievant does not submit a statement. If the grievance must be sent to Step B, which is the Dispute Resolution Process, they will decide only on the documentation presented by the Step A parties. At no time will the Step B team interview you, your Shop Steward, Supervisor, or Postmaster to make a decision. The decision will be based on only the documentation received by the Step B team. It is therefore important that in every discipline grievance, the grievant rebut the charges in discipline letter. If the charges are false, say so in your statement. If the events in the letter of charges are different than the way it happened, put this in your statement.
In disciplinary cases, management has the burden to prove that there is JUST CAUSE to issue the discipline. They must prove the incident happened. In some cases, their version of what happened is different than what actually took place. Supply your Shop Steward with a statement, especially if the charges contained in the letter are not accurate.
Also, on discipline issues, be aware that the pre-disciplinary hearing or interview that you have with management you first should request union representation and you should be aware that management always includes in the letter of charges that neither you nor your union representative said anything to preclude issuing the discipline. If at the hearing you make mention of any errors or facts that are not true, include this in your statement. Shop stewards should also make mention of this in their statement. This is your opportunity to rebut any erroneous facts or charges, use it or you will lose!
Many times, I request a statement from a grievant because it is not in the case file, and I get "I don't want to get involved" or "let them do whatever they want to do to me" or the best one "does it really matter?" YES, IT DOES! Write the statement - stand up for yourself!
In contractual cases it is important to also give a statement, so if your Shop Steward requests that you write a statement, please do so. I hear to many times that carriers that see an infraction or management abusing their power will not write a statement because of the fear of retribution. By doing this you are playing right into management's hands.
The more correct and accurate information you gave in your statement, the better are the union's chances of succeeding in the grievance procedure.
