Divider Page from Original TWI Materials Bound Text

V-Union Job Relations

The Union Job R,elations program is a special adaptation

of the Job Relations prograrn which was prepared in order to
give union stewards basic instruction in the skill of leader-
ship.
 WAR MAN POWER COMMISSION

Washington 25, D, C ,

August 1, 1945

To t h e War Production Trainer:

Your Union Job Relations sessions can have f o r your union and

f o r t h e war production e f f o r t a constructive influence, perhaps never

befom e q e r i e n c e d . You have an unusual opportunity of h f l u e n c i n g

stewards t o improve t h e i r everyday relationships on t h e job.

Representing workers' alone i s not enough. Stewards must give

every man and woman they represent t h e leadership t h a t e n l i s t s cooper-

a t i o n and teamwork. You can help stewards t o get this s k i l l of working

with people - it i s your cbligation t o stress i t s importance t o them,

You should s t r i v e with a l l the energy and diligence you possess

t o lead each Union Job Relations group i n t h e very best way possible -
and t o do a b e t t e r job with each succeeding group,

To assure a uniformly high standard, work from t h i s o u t l i n e

always, Do not deviate from it. Do not t r u s t t o your memory, regard-

l e s s of t h e number of sessions you put on,

Once again, leadership in Union Job Relations presents an

opportunity and an obligation.

Since rely,

C . R, Dooley, Director
T r a i n i n g Within Industry Semi ce
 SUMMARY OF PURPOSE AND EMPHASIS OF UNION JOB FELATIONS SESSIONS

0
I To e s t a b l i s h the f a c t t h a t everyday job rela- A steward g e t s r e s u l t s
t q n s h i p s are one of t h e most important p a r t s through people, People
of t h e war production steward's job, must be t r e a t e d a s indi-
viduals. Good steward-
To present t h e foundations f o r good r e l a t i o n s , ship prevents many prob-
lems, but t h e steward
To e s t a b l i s h a &step method f o r meeting union must know how t o handle
job r e l a t i o n s s i t u a t i o n s , those that do a r i s e .

-
I1 To develop s k i l l in Step 1, llGet t h e Facts." Complete f a c t s must be
knuwn o r obtained,
To give t h e group p r a c t i c e on Step 1 through em- Opinions and f e e l i n g s
phasis on this s t e p in a problem presented by must be found out and
t h e Trainer, and t o give members of t h e group considered along with
practice in looking a t t h e &step method in two f a c t s , It i s necessary
problems brought in by stewards. t o look a t an indivi-
dual because pop7,e a r e
not a l i k e ,

-
I11 To develop s k i l l in Step 2, "Weigh and- Decidett Decisions a r e made an
t h e b a s i s of f a c t s
To give t h e group p r a c t i c e on Step 2 through em- properly evaluated and
phasis on this s t e p ia a problem presented by related,
the Trainer and t o give members of the group
practice in t h r e e problems brought in by stewards.

-
IV To e s t a b l i s h the importance of Steps 3 and 4,
"Take action" and "Check Results,"
The steward must know
his r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , He
must watch t h e ti_lIllng
To give t h e group p r a c t i c e in Steps 3 and 4 of his a c t i o n and follow-
through emphasis on these s t e p s in a problem up, and watch f o r e f f e c t
presented by t h e Trainer and t o give membera on t h e objective, on t h e
of the group p r a c t i c e in looking a t t h e 4-step individual, on the group,
method in t h r e e problems brought in by stewards. on production, and on
union standing,

-V To give members of the group practice in look-

ing a t the 4-step method in two problems
Further develop the
habit of using the com-
brought in by stewards, p l e t e method, Point
out a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e
To review and summarize foundations, 4-step meth- method t o steward's
od, and t i p s f o r g e t t i n g opinions and feelings. o t h e r relationships, A
steward g e t s r e s u l t s
To consider t h e other working r e l a t i o n s h i p s of through people,
the steward t o other union o f f i c i a l s and t o plant
suprvisors.
C O N T E N T S
 STRATEGY FOR UNION JOB RELATIONS

Training Within I n d u s t r y looks a t the t r a i n i n g of stewards as a f i v e -

p a r t job. That is, the steward has f i v e needs.

1. Knowledge of the work

2. Knowledge of r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
3. S k i l l i n i n s t r u c t i n g
4. S k i l l of improving methods
5. S k i l l i n l e a d i n g
Union Job Relations i s a streamlined i n t e n s i v e program designed t o
give union stewards p r a c t i c e i n developing s k i l l in leading. It is n o t
intended t o provide any t r a i n i n g i n t h e "knowledge of r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s l l area -
t h e job of t r a i n i n g stewards i n t h e p o l i c i e s , agreements, and r e g u l a t i o n s of
a p a r t i c u l a r union must be done by the union.

Union Job Relations aims t o develop a s k i l l - n o t t o give s t o c k ans-

wers on grievances, o r t o provide i n d u s t r i a l r e l a t i o n s background on such sub-
j e c t s as r a t e s of pay, s a f e t y , working conditions.

Since Union Job R e l a t i o n s i s focused on working with people, dsscrip-

t i o n s of what happens t o people a r e t h e m a t e r i a l s f o r this program. I n t h e
standard s e s s i o n s o u t l i n e s t h e r e a r e f o u r of these problems, each of which i s
used a t the s p e c i f i c p o i n t f o r a p a r t i c u l a r reason. The time of the members
of t h e group i s s p e n t niostly on t h e handling of t h e i r own problems which t h e y
b r i n g i n f o r group discussion.

Union Job Relations i s l i m i t e d t o groups of t e n stewards. Experience

has shown t h a t this number i s d e s i r a b l e . A s m a l l e r group does n o t provide
enough v a r i e t y of problems and a l a r g e r group provides too much m a t e r i a l f o r
i n c l u s i o n within the t e n hours.

I n some i n s t a n c e s observers have been admitted t o the s e s s i o n s with

t h e purpose of giving them f a m i l i a r i t y with the contents of t h e program a s i t
normally operates. These observers a r e requested t o s t a y in c h a r a c t e r a s
observers and a r e not p e r m i t t e d t o j o i n i n the discussion. When t h e r e a r e
observers p r e s e n t it should be made c l e a r t o them i n advance t h a t t h e y a r e
n o t being asked t o a t t e n d i n o r d e r t o a s s i s t i n l i n i n g up how the program
should operate - t h i s i s a standardized program and no d e v i a t i o n s o r changes
a r e t o be made.

Training Within I n d u s t r y urges t h e use of t h i s program f o r a l l of the

union's stewards and grievance committee members. Those who a r e new on the
 UNION JOB RELA TIOAE S TRATEGY 5

job of representing o t h e r people need help and t r a i n i n g more than those who
have had experience on t h e job.

However, i f the union s a y s t h a t a l l its o f f i c e r s would b e n e f i t by this

way of looking a t union r e l a t i o n s h i p s o r t h a t t h e p r e s s u r e o f p r e s e n t produc-
t i o n conditions has brought about an i n c r e a s e i n the problems which a steward
must handle, the same t r a i n l n g program w i l l apply t o persons who have been on
higher l e v e l jobs f o r some time. The n a t u r e of t h e problems brought i n and
the d i s c u s s i o n may be quite, d i f f e r e n t from those i n a group of new shop
stewards .
I f i n such a group t h e i r problems tend t o be unanimously w e l l handled,
the Trainer should make a s p e c i f i c appeal f o r the bringing i n of s i t u a t i o n s
which have had poor r e s u l t s and a l s o f o r t h e kind which may be s i z e d up in
advmce t o g e t good r e s u l t s through preventive action.

O u t of the experience of preparing t h i s program good reasons have

developed f o r doing what i s done, i n the way i t i s done, and a t a p a r t i c u l a r
time.

SESSION I -- PRESENTATION OF FOUNDATIONS FOR G00E RELATIOX3

AND THE 4-STEP ILETHOD

Getting Acquainted

Ask each man i n t h e group about h i s own background and p r e s e n t union

responsibilities. This brings quick and e a s y p a r t i c i p a t i o n from every member
of t h e group. The members a r e being asked t o t e l l something about which they
and only t h e y have t h e s t o r y . Also, the T r a l n e r gains valuable information
about t h e people with whom he w i l l be working f o r the n e x t t e n hours.

-
The S teward-Is Five Needs

The f i v e needs a r e discussed t o emphasize t o stewards t h a t , r e g a r d l e s s

of t h e i r i n d u s t r y o r department, they must be w e l l versed i n two lmowledges
and. t h r e e s k i l l s i n o r d e r t o be e f f e c t i v e stewards. The s k i l l of l e a d i n g i s
covered i n these s e s s i o n s .

Chart on Steward s R e s ~ o n s i b i ltiv

The development of t h e c h a r t with lfpeopleu in the c e n t e r and the

arrow l i n k i n g the steward t o t h e people i s a quick means of focusing a t t e n t i o n
on the sub ject-matter of Union Job R e l a t i o n s . There a l s o i s r e a l group par-
t i c f p a t i o n i n the development of t h i s c h a r t a s members p o l n t o u t t h e i r
responsibilities.
6 UNION JOB XTLATIONS S TRA TEGY

Foundations f o r Good Relations

There a r e c e r t a i n b a s i c points which are followed by e f f e c t i v e stew-

ards. While Union Job Relations does n o t give a g r e a t d e a l of time i n t h e
t e n hours t o these foundations a s such, nevertheless i t i s necessary t o recog-
n i z e t h e i r importance and t o p u t them a c r o s s i n a way which w i l l g a i n accept-
ance. 'I"ney form t h e underlying s p i r i t of good r e l a t i o n s h i p s and promote good
stewardship.

Chart on the I n d i v i d u a l

The p u l l i n g o u t of one person from the group of people through whom

the steward g e t s r e s u l t s i s done because of the need of p o i n t i n g o u t t h a t
people must be t r e a t e d as i n d i v i d u a l s s i n c e they a r e d i f f e r e n t in background,
, .
i n t e r e s t s and t a s t e s

The Mike Problem

This problem i s t o l d by the Trainer. It i s s h o r t and the t e l l i n g

gives i t much more r e a l i t y than reading. Also, t h e members of t h e group w i l l
be t e l l i n g t h e i r problems l a t e r , and t h e Trainer should s e t t h e p a t t e r n he
wishes used.

This s i t u a t i o n was handled i n a way t h a t g o t poor r e s u l t s . Such a

problem was chosen f o r s e v e r a l reasons. F i r s t , it w i l l o f t e n be necessary f o r
t h e group t o be c r i t i c a l about t h e r e s u l t s which a steward g e t s when he does
n o t use t n e complete 4-step method. It i s e a s i e r t o s t a r t t h i s p a t t e r n by
p r e s e n t i n g a problem which does n o t p e r s o n a l l y concern any member of t h e group.

Second, t h e problem i s a very simple one from which i t i s e a s y t o p u l l

o u t t h e p o s i t i v e p o i n t s ~ i c need
h t o be made. Asking where t h e steward
skidded almost i n v a r i a b l y s e t s up t h e main p o i n t s of Job Relations 1 4-s t e p
method .
m e t e l l i n g of t h e problem i s broken i n t o two p a r t s i n o r d e r t o g e t
emphasis f o r the importance of s t a r t i n g the &-step p a t t e r n a t t h e beginning -
g e t t i n g f a c t s before attempting t o make a d e c i s i o n and take a c t i o n . The d i s -
cussion begins i n t h e p a t t e r n which w i l l be followed throughout. That i s , it
i s necessary t o f i r s t p u l l o u t j u s t what t h e steward i s t r y i n g t o accomplish.
This p a t t e r n of d i s c u s s i o n enables t h e l e a d e r t o keep away from c r i t i c i s m of
d e c i s i o n s by focusing on t h e use of the method. The f o u r main s t e p s on t h e
card a r e p u l l e d o u t from the Mike problem. Experj-ence has shown t h a t t h e
d i s c u s s i o n i s belabored if t h e attempt i s made t o a l s o develop the sub-points .
How Problems Arise

This m a t e r i a l i s presented i n o r d e r t o show stewards t h a t they o f t e n

can g e t i n on s i t u a t i o n s e a r l y , t h a t an advance size-up may prevent problems.
 UNION JOB KELATIONS STRATEGY 7

This a l s o w i l l suggest t o members of t h e group o t h e r problems which t h e y

might bring i n t o t h e discussion.

Problem Sheets

The problem s h e e t s a r e used t o g e t conviction from .the group t h a t the

Union Job Relations program i s aimed a t the kinds of problems t h a t stewards
encounter e v e r y day. It a l s o gives h i n t s on the type of problems which the
members of t h e group w i l l b r i n g i n f o r discussion.

Requests f o r Problems

Members of t h e group p r e f e r t o t a l k about t h e i r own problems r a t h e r

than those brought i n by the Trainer, The f o u r standard problems a r e used
because i t i s necessary t o i n s u r e t h a t c e r t a i n p o i n t s of t h e method a r e p u t
across. But once these p o i n t s a r e worked i n , t h e r e s t of t h e time i s given
t o the problems which the men themselves a r e l i v i n g with e v e r y day, The prob-
lems a r e r e s t r i c t e d t o those which a r e within the s t e w a r d ' s own job t o handle,
some thing he can and ms t do some t h i n g about.

SESSION I1 -- DPORTANCE OF GETTING THE FACTS

The Tam Problem

This problem i s chosen t o show t h e n e c e s s i t y of g e t t i n g t h e f a c t s and

the importance of remembering t h a t opinions and f e e l i n g s must be considered
the same a s f a c t s , The problem a l s o gives some h i n t s a s t o t h e way i n which
.
you g e t p e r s o n a l f a c t s

This problem i s read, a s e x a c t words a r e important, Since i t must

be w e l l read, which involves previous p r a c t i c e , i t i s s p e c i f i e d t h a t the
Trainer read both p a r t s of t h e dialogue.

This p a r t i c u l a r problem p o i n t s t o the d i f f e r e n c e between f a c t s about

the man and f a c t s about the machine - both a r e Recessary i n o r d e r t o have the
whole s t o r y . The members of the group a r e a l s o given a h i n t t h a t it is
sometimes necessary t o probe a b i t f o r the meaning behind words.

This problem p o i n t s o u t t h e s p e c i a l importance of handling confiden-

thl m a t e r i a l properly.

A t a number of places the T r a i n e r s t o p s reading i n o r d e r t h a t the

group may d i s c u s s s p e c i f i c p o i n t s . It i s p o s s i b l e in t h i s way t o g e t recog-
n i t i o n of a few of the t i p s f o r g e t t i n g personal opinions and f e e l i n g s which
w i l l l a t e r be developed and summarized.
8 UNION JOB RELATIONS S TRAIEGY

Problems Brought in by Stewards

I n the f i r s t steward's problem, and a l l succeeding ones, the man who

i s t o p r e s e n t a problem should come t o the head of t h e t a b l e with the Trainer.
~t has been found t h a t s h i f t i n g of p o s i t i o n in t h e room i s welcome and there
appears t o be a c e r t a i n advantage i n focusing on the man in t h i s p a r t i c u l a r
way, I n t h e handling of the steward's problem the o b j e c t i v e i s p u l l e d out t o
open the d i s c u s s i o n . The Trainer must a t a l l times be c a r e f u l t o key t h e
-
comments, t o !!Did he follow the f o u r s t e p s f 1 n o t t o llDid he make a good
decision?fl The d i s c u s s i o n must be handled s o t h a t the steward who p r e s e n t s
the problem g e t s p r a c t i c e in using the Tour s t e p s ( s e e Standard Procedure,
Reference S e c t i o n ) .

Request t o Consider Several Problems

Since occasionally a group member who i s new o r r e l u c t a n t t o t a l k

does n o t wish t o bring a problem f o r discussion, and a l s o because same prob-
lems a r e s o simple t h a t any lengthy discussion would be belabored, i t i s
sometimes necessary t o have more than one problem from some members.

I f a nan says t h a t he does n o t have any problerns , review t h e problem

s h e e t again and ask such questions as I1Does anyone e v e r t h i n k h e l s n o t g e t t i n g
a square d e a l ? " "Did anyone e v e r complain about n o t g e t t i n g a r a i s e ? " "Are
any changes coming?" Personal coaching may help a man who i s r e l u c t a n t t o
present a problem. I f t h e man i s obviously unwilling t o p r e s e n t a problem
a f t e r spending some time on reconsidering kinds of problems, do not p r e s s h i m
too f a r . This would be poor Job Relations. (He cannot, however, be c e r t i f i e d
i f he does not p r e s e n t a problem.)

Request f o r Problems ~ 5 t h
Poor Results

If a l l problems a r e w e l l handled, discussion i s n o t a s i n t e r e s t i n g a s

if a d i a g n o s t i c t,echic;ue can be used t o show where the steward skidded.

SESSION 111 -- BASIS FOR DECISICDTS

The s e s s i o n i s opened by showing t h a t a doctor i n g e t t i n g the symptoms
of a p a t i e n t goes through a process q u i t e l i k e the JF. 4-s tep method. Compar-
i s o n with t h e d o c t o r i s used too show t h a t the .!+-step method has u n i v e r s a l
a p p l i c a t i o n , t h a t i t i s s p e c i f i c a l l y followec! i n a prominent profession, and
perhaps most important of a l l t o show t h a t tAe doctor needs and g e t s much
c o n f i d e n t i a l infonnation which he must handle we11 o r it w i l l not again be
a v a i l a b l e t o him.
The Old Hand Problem
This s i t u a t i o n which ended i n poor r e s u l t s i s x e d t o s t r e s s Step
-
2,,
Weigh and Decide.I1 I t brrixgs o u t the n e c e s s i t y of u s i n g a l l the f a c t s and
 UNION JOB RELATIONS STRA'IEGY 9

weighing them before making a f i n a l decision. The poor decision was reached
because the steward f i r s t d i d n o t p r o p e r l y e v a l u a t e t h e f a c t s h i c h he had,
and second, because he d i d n o t have t h e whole s t o r y .

SESSION I V -- CHECICLNG RESULTS OF PREVENTIVE. ACTION

The problem of the f i r s t woman s u p e r v i s o r i s used a s an example of
good r e s u l t s of preventive a c t i o n . The problem involves a number o f people,
and t h e s u b j e c t i s one which i s c u r r e n t i n many war production p l a n t s . The
members of t h e group a r e a l s o given a t i p t o work through those people who
a r e recognized a s n a t u r a l , b u t informal, leaders.

E f f e c t of Change

This s u b j e c t i s brought .up t o show t h a t t h e problem of t h e ' f i r s t

wanan supervisor is n o t a ttwomantlproblem, b u t one t y p i f y i n g "change.tt Change
i s u s u a l l y resented, and stewards need t o t a k e preventive a c t i o n .

SESSION V -- A STEPVARD'S OTHER 'JVORK RELATIONSHIPS

Request f o r Statement on Use of Job Relations

By g e t t i n g t h e members themselves t o p u l l o u t the advantages t o them

p e r s o n a l l y of following a method which will improve t h e q u a l i t y of decisions
and actions and which a l s o shows t h e importance of checking- r e s u l t s , t h e
s e l l i n g of Job Relations i s completed.

-
Chart

The s t e w a r d l s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y c h a r t a s used i n Session I i s now ampli-

f i e d i n order t o p o i n t o u t t o the steward t h e important p o s i t i o n i n which he
i s and t o give recognition t o it. This c h a r t a l s o o f f e r s t h e opportunity of
again s t r e s s i n g "Get t h e Facts. The Trainer develops t h e i d e a t h a t g e t t i n g
t h e f a c t s w i l l be u s e f u l i n any r e l a t i o n s h i p t h a t t h e steward has, and t h a t
i n a number of cases he w i l l be responsible f o r giving t h e f a c t s .

Closing Statement

The members of t h e group must leave w i t h the f e e l i n g t h a t what they

do does matter, t h a t it i s very important. When the Trainer has made t h i s
p o i n t the s e s s i o n should be ended no m a t t e r what time i t i s . After a high
p o i n t has once been reached, t h e whole e f f e c t can be ruined by keeping the
members s t r a i n i n g a t a d i s c u s s i o n in o r d e r t o f i l l the hours.
10 UNION JOB RELATIONS INTEiODUCTION

INTRDDUCT ION OF UNION JOB RELATIONS T R A m R

BY UNION REPRESENTATIVE

Trainer t o provide union representative with copy of

t h i s page

Union Job Relations is:

streamlined program f o r war industry from Training

Within Industry

developed by TWI and union leaders from i n d u s t r i a l experience

p a r a l l e l t o a supervisory Job Relations program

The union o f f i c e r s :

have approved t h i s program

want it f o r t h i s union

expect you t o attend each session, and be hem on time.

This i s your meeting -

no r e p o r t s are going t o be made t o the union, except on
attendance

The re w i l l be :

5 two-hour meetings
held a t in room, on

This program i s important:

the union expects you t o do a good job - includes good

r e l a t i o n s with t h e people you represent

t h e union knows you a r e going t o get some r e a l help

t h i s method w i l l show you how t o ~e a more e f f e c t i v e steward

This i s M r .
 UNION JOB RELATIONS INTRODUCTION
- 11

UNION JOB RELATIONS TRAmRtS INTRODUCTION WHEN

NO UNION REPIIESENTATTVE ATTENDS

Union Officers:

have approved t h e Job Relations Program

want it f o r this union

Job Relations is:

streamlined p r o g m f o r war i n d u s t r y from T r a i n i n g Within l n d u s t r y

developed by TKl and union l e a d e r s from i n d u s t r i a l experience

p a r a l l e l t o a supervisory Job Relations program

T h i s i s our meeting
7
-
no r e p o r t s w i l l be made t o t h e union, except on attendance

There w i l l be :

5 two-hour meetings
held a t in room, on
 CODE

CAPITALS ................... SectionHeads

Horizontal l i n e across page .. Encloses s e c t i o n f o r timing

P l a i n type ............ T r a i n e r says i n own words

-x- S t a r i n f r o n t of l i n e ....... Trainer says verbatim

Material between l i n e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Board work

Erackeg ............. Instructions t o t r a i n e r

 U n i o n J o b R e l a t i o n s - - S e s s i o n I
PRESENTATION OF FOUNDATIONS FOR GOOD RELATIONS
AND 4STEP METHOD

Allm INTRODUCTION BY UNION OFFICER

5 min. (recommended procedure)

iL
Give union o f f i c e r copy of o u t l i n e (page 1 0 ) .
Best r e s u l t s a r e obtained when a union o f f i c e r opens
the session.

Introduction by t r a i n e r (emergency only). Use o u t l i n e

5 min. (page 1 1 ) when impossible t o g e t union o f f i c e r t o
t o here open t h e s e s s i o n .
-

All000 GETTING ACQUAINTED

1 0 min.
-
1. F e l l something a b o~t
~ your own background of union

L
experience. This i s important even if you know a l l
members of t h e group. -

i
2. Have stewards introduce themselves.

Use name cards.

Ask each man t o t e l l you:

work - department -
L union experience.
number under j u r i s d i c t i o n
14 UNION JOB F3LATIONS SESSION I

3- rI
I f t h e r e a r e observers, explain:

They wish t o know more about the program.

1
I
L They do n o t e n t e r t h e d i s c u s s i o n , a s k
questions , o r make =marks.

r
S t r e s s - our meeting -
problems discussed here a r e
c o n f i d e n t i a l - no names - give m a s o n s - g e t 1
1 5 min. 5. Those who a t t e n d a l l f i v e s e s s i o n s and p r e s e n t a
t o here problem w i l l receive c e r t i f i c a t e s .

Allm DISCUSS THE STEWARDtS FIVE NEEDS.

1 0 min.

I n t h e s e meetings we a r e going t o u s e t h e t e r n "steward." a

great deal.

-2 For t h e purpose of our discussions, when we r e f e r t o t h e

iY steward, we mean any member of t h e union e l e c t e d o r
-% appointed t o r e p r e s e n t o t h e r members..

* You a r e a l l stewards.

Good stewards r e a l i z e t h a t t h e y have f i v e needs.

L e t t s t a k e a look a t these needs: They a r e :

* 1. howledge of t h e work
* 2. howledge of r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
% 3. s k i l l in i n s t r u c t i n g
3: 4. s k i l l of improving methods
X- 5. s k i l l in leading
- UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I A5

1. Knowledge of t h e work r e f e r s t o t h e information which

makes your job d i f f e r e n t fran a l l o t h e r jobs.

A steward, t o p r o p e r l y r e p r e s e n t h i s c o n s t i t u e n t s ,
should have a knowledge of t h e i r work in o r d e r t o
r e p r e s e n t them i n matters concerning production, s a f e t y ,
r a t e s , and job c l a s s i f i c a t i o n . He needs t o know:

Materials Processes
Machines Operations
Tools

2. Knowledge of r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s r e f e r s t o the p a r t i c u l a r
union and company s i t u a t i o n s regarding:

Contract between union National Labor Relations Act

and management
Union c o n s t i t u t i o n and
Workmen' s compensation bylaws

Unemployment insurance P o l i c i e s of t h e War Labor

Board
P o l i c i e s and p r a c t i c e s
of t h e l o c a l union P l a n t p o l i c i e s and p r a c t i c e s

Relationships be tween Safety rules

depm-bents and p l a n t s
Schedules

These are d i f f e r e n t in every union and i n e v e r y company.

Hence this knowledge of r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s must be supplied
locally.

Every steward, t o do his job, must have a c l e a r under-

standing of h i s a u t h o r i t y and r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a s a p a r t
of h i s l o c a l union. He must a l s o h o w the company's own
r u l e s and p o l i c i e s .

These l o c a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a r e the Itground r u l e s u under

which every steward has t o work.
16 UNION JOB FBIXTIONS SESSION I

S k i l l i n i n s t r u c t i n g i s needed s o t h a t the steward can

i n s t r u c t o t h e r union members i n t h e ways of doing union
work. It i s important f o r every union t o give its
stewards help in t h i s f i e l d .

S k i l l of improving methods helps t h e steward t o make

s p e c i f i c and workable suggestions f o r new production
techniques which w i l l make t h e job e a s i e r and s a f e r f o r
h i s people. This skill i s a l s o needed i n o r d e r t o im-
prove methods of doing union work.

S k i l l i n leading helps the steward t o improve his a b i l i t y

i n working with his people.

There a r e b a s i c p r i n c i p l e s t h a t , when a p p l i e d day i n and

day out, w i l l tend t o keep r e l a t i o n s smooth and prevent
problems from a r i s i n g .

By p o i n t i n 3 o u t t h e ways t h a t problems do a r i s e one can

r e a d i l y see t h a t preventive a c t i o n can be taken.

This a p p l i e s p a r t i c u l a r l y i n a n t i c i p a t i n g changes t h a t
may n o t be r e a d i l y accepted and in .sensing changes i n
output, a t t i t u d e s , and r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

However, when problems do a r i s e , t h e r e i s an organized

procedure t o handle such problems t h a t helps g e t b e t t e r
r e s u l t s from t h e a c t i o n we take.

25 min. The steward i s n o t born with t h i s skill. He must acquire

t o here it by a c t u a l p r a c t i c e . J u s t as soon as t h i s s k i l l i s acquired
by a steward he becomes more e f f e c t i v e in the doing of his
job. I n these f i v e 2-hour sessions, we w i l l discuss this
skill i n leading which we s h a l l c a l l Union Job Relations.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSIONI 17

A n n DES cRIBE S TEWARD S PROBLEMS AS R E G A m JOB RELATIO~JS.

20 min.

1. TOO few people r e a l i z e t h a t t h e steward's job i s complex

and d i f f i c u l t .

Unions want b e t t e r r e l a t i o n s among t h e i r ovm members and

with management. The union wants b e t t e r handling of cam-
p l a i n t s and b e t t e r handling of r e a l grievances.

This always r e q u i r e s the l o y a l t y and cooperation of t h e

members of t h e union.

Can we do something which w i l l improve l o y a l t y and

cooperation? That is t h e purpose of these meetings.

When a machine i s i n s t a l l e d in a department, a handbook

comes w i t h it - o r t h e r e may be a mechanic s p e c i a l l y
q u a l i f i e d in how t h a t p a r t i c u l a r piece of machinery works,
and d i r e c t i o n s on how t o keep i t i n good operating con-
d i t i o n , o r what t o do when i t breaks d o m .

Stewards g e t new people a l l the time, b u t handbooks d o n ' t

come w i t h them.

How a r e you going t o make those new members good union

men? What w i l l you do i f they f a i l ?

A union member tends t o judge t h e whole union i n terms

of the treatment he receives from h i s o m steward.

Remember when you joined the union - t h e f i r s t c o n t a c t

you had w i t h your steward? I still remember. ( I l l u s t r a t e )

There a r e thousands of people on union committee jobs

today who were only members a s h o r t time ago.

A s time goes on thousands more men and women w i l l have t o

become stewards o r assume committee jobs.

Some of -these people - some men, some woinen, have long

backgrounds a s members, some do not.

These new stewards and committeemen must q u i c k l y l e a r n

t o work through people.
18 UNION J O B RELATIONS S E S S I O N I

They must recognize t h a t they can g e t t h e i r jobs done

only through the cooperation of the members whom they
represent.

Stewards, new and old a l i k e , a r e confronted with the

problem of obtaining the cooperation of:

people who have never worked before.

people who have had s t e a d y work b u t of a

d i f f e r e n t nature.

i
people who have never been members of a union.

people who present canplaints and grievances

which c a n ' t be processed.

Newly e l e c t e d stewards a l s o m y have the problem of

obtaining t h e cooperation of people who:

know more about the union than t h e y do.

have many more years of s e r v i c e w i t h i n the

union than t h e y have.

have served a s stewards o r 10st i n an election

f o r stewards .
Lhy to g e t agreement.J
A l l stewards have t o understand the a t t i t u d e s of higher
union stewards and secure t h e i r coopera t i o n .

To meet such problems some kind of t r a i n i n g in the

s p e c i a l s k i l l of leading i s necessary.

This s k i l l of working with people has long been recog-

nized a s a mark of good stewardship.

2. What do we mean by I1good stewardshipI1?

++ Good stewardship is looking after t h e i n t e r e s t s of

3c the people you represent.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESS I O N I 19

3.* Now, i n t h e s e s e s s i o n s I ' m n o t going t o t e l l you how

$; t o r u n your job.

But experienced stewards have developed a s k i l l i n

working w i t h people.

ThFs s k i l l can be l e a r n e d .

1t saves stewards a l o t of headaches.

Good stewards need and develop s k i l l i n working w i t h

people.
35 min.
t o here L e t ' s s e e what we can f i n d o u t a b o u t t h i s s k i l l .

Allow SYOW THAT A S TEWAFiD, hEETS HIS LRJ3SPONSIBIIJT~STIEOLGH

1 0 min. RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE.

1.;: What a r e t h e common t i t l e s f o r d i f f e r e n t l e v e l s of

?? union o f f i c e r s ?

These may be suggested:

d i s t r i c t committeeman in1;ernational r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
steward president of the l o c a l
c h i e f s tevmrd member of e x e c u t i v e board

i c For t h e purpose of o u r d i s c u s s i o n , when we r e f e r t o a

?t. I1stewardl' we mean ANYBOGY ' X O REP,rlESENTS PEOPLE OR 7iHO
;;- IS ELECTED OR APPOINTED TO A SPECIFIC UIJION JOB.

c l o s e i n a boz n e a r t o p
pq

-:c This steward n o t o n l y r e p r e s e n t s people, he g e t s

s t r e s u l t s through people. The s terrard g e t s h i s work
?t done, n o t through a u t h o r i t y , b u t through l e a d e r s h i p .

Someone asked what a l e a d e r was. He g o t t h i s answer.

A l e a d e r i s someone who has f o l l o w e r s . Some men have
t o g e t behind people and drj.ve them. The l e a d e r s e t s
a course and people f o l l o w him.
20 U N I O N JOE REIATIOI'JS SESSION I

A steward n o t only r e p r e s e n t s people - he g e t s r e s u l t s

through people

pri t e above st e w a r g A steward g e t s r e s u l t s

through people
*

L e t ' s look a t what you do a s a steward.

We w i l l l e t t h i s c i r c l e r e p r e s e n t the s t e w a d v s job.

c i r c l e under
Steward: 1 k Steward 1
 UNION JOB RELP~TIONS SESSION I 21

2. L e t ' s look a t the things A steward g e t s resl~lts

f o r which your union
holds you respons l b l e . through people
[Stevrardl
-% Of course, our union
::- holds us responsible Tor
* handling complaints and
?c grievances.

complaints and
grievances i n one
segnent . I
-x- Besides complaints and
-;:-grievances, f o r what
-2 e l s e does your union
-Z hold you r e s p o r s i b l e ?

-
A s members suggest kind
of union r e s p o n s i b i l i -
t i e s , w r i t e t h e name ar
o u t l i n e the s ep.en t
W i t e down whatever i s
.
mentioned, but t r y t o
include those on the
chart a t right.
-

of the following suggestions may be offered:

1
morale wor-king schedules
public r e l a t i o n s union we I f ' a r e

p
ave top s e c t i o n of t h e c i r c l e unlabeled.
J
3:- Ye w i l l l e t t h i s s e c t i o n r e p r e s e n t a l l o t h e r respon-
* s i b i l i t i e s of t h e stewald.
22 U N I O N JOi3 R E L A T I O N S S E S S I O N I

3.3 We won't try t o d e f i n e t h e whole job of the steward -

35 i n s t e a d l e t ' s s e e if t h e r e i s anything i n comon about
-:t these responsibilities.

';%ose grievance i s t h e s t e w a d handling?

rDo n o t s2end t o o much time g e t t i n g the ansver, which is

ltFeogl_e.tt Give it y o u r s e l f if someone does n o t giv?
k h i s answer.
1
E h e "Complaints and
Grievances" segment. 1
P u t s n a l l c i r c l e s in A steward g e t s r e s u l t s
through people

-z These r e p r e s e n t people.

I'Sno a r e these members?

r :?hen smeone says

"Peo,->le," p t i n o t h e r
c i r c l e s i n segment 1
-
are snal? c i r c l e s i n
ev3qr s egmc~nti nclud-
ing tho blm!; one.
-

'Jho have to be ins t m ~ Led?,

c --
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 23

$
; 1s t h e r e any p a r t of t h e steward's job which does n o t
-3 involve people?

No.

A steward g e t s r e s u l t s
through people
b l a c e c i r c l e s in1
&lank segment. A

When we look a t any p a r t

of the steward's job, we
f i n d people i n the s i t u -
ation.

small c i r c l e s
i n a hub. I
I
c i r c l e s and w r i t e PEOPLE

The steward g e t s r e s u l t s
through people.

Eoht to heading3
24 UNIOiq J03 RELATIONS SESSION I

-% I n o r d e r t o meet t h e s e
-
o responsibilities there A steward g e t s r e s u l t s
-2 must be sane r e l a t i o n - through people
-;: s h i p between t h e s tevard
-2 and each of h i s people. 1 Steward

k t f i have t h i s l-irle
-:
:t represent t h a t relation-
-;: sh i p .
Eraw double-headed arrow 1
k n c i l a b a l it Job ~ e l a t i o n d

Job Relations a r e t h e
everyday r e l a t i o n s be h e e n
you and t h e ~ e o p l eyou
represent.

The k i n d of r e l a t i o n s you
ham a f f e c t s t h e kind of
r e s u l t s you get.

3 e l a t i o n s with some a r e
good, with others a r e
poor, but t h e r e are
always r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

Poor r e l a t i o n s h i p s cause poor r e s u l t s ; good r e l a t i o n s h i p s

c m s e good r e s u l t s .

E l l u s t r a t e by use of c h a r g

45 mi?. ?,%en a steward ivants t o meet any of these responsi-

to here b i l i t i 3 s e f f e c t i v e l y , he must have good r e l a t i o n s w t t h
h i s 2eople.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I
- 22

AZZow PRESENT FOUNDATIONS FOR GOOD RELATIONS .

Experience shows t h a t s u c c e s s f u l stewards u s e d e f i n i t e faun-a-
t i o n s f o r good r e l a t i o n s . They f i n d t h a t these foundations
% the job r e l a t i o n s l i n e s t r o n g .
-- -
W r i t e on t o p c e n t e r of
Foundations f o r Good Relations
board t h e heading:

1.a There a r e sane t h i n g s t h a t you and I a s stewards can do,

-:* day in and day o u t , about keeping t h e job r e l a t i o n s l i n e
+ i n good condition.
;c For k s tance, we can l e t each member know h i s r i g h t s and
-x r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s .

Let each member know h i s r i g h t s

Eite under h e a d i n g and r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

Sappose a meinber i s passed over while new men g e t t h e

breaks - a l l because he d o e s n ' t know what t h e union
can do f o r him?

Do you t h i n k t h a t ' s good union job r e l a t i o n s i f a member

doesnl t even know what r i g h t s he has?

We know i t i s n ' t .

Don't you want t o know your r i g h t s ? What t h e =on is

doing f o r you? How your grievance i s progressing?

Should a member a l s o h o w his r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s - what

t h e union expects of him?
26 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I

I wonder i f t h e s e people k o i n t t o b o a a would l i k e t o

know t h e i r r i g h t s and r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . Wouldn't t h a t
s t r e n g t h e n t h a t job r e l a t i o n s l i n e ?

2.* Another foundation f o r good job r e l a t i o n s is Wive c r e d i t

* when due.
>

@rite on b o a d l Give c r e d i t when due.

If you have a member who has been assigned t o some

c o m i t t e e work t h a t doesnl t p a r t i c u l a r l y b e n e f i t him,
and he s t i c k s t o t h e job and c a r r i e s i t through, how
would i t be t o give him some c r e d i t .

Maybe t h e r e i s someone who's never done anything out-

standing, b u t who's always p a i d his dues on time and never
caused any trouble. Could you give him some c r e d i t ?

Do you t h i n k i t is good job r e l a t i o n s t o g i v e c r e d i t when

due? Is t h a t t h e kind of treatment you l i k e ?

1 wonder i f these people E o i n t t o b o a r a wouldnlt l i k e

it. Would i t h e l p the job r e l a t i o n s l i n e i f we d i d give
people c r e d i t when due?

3 .* Another foundation f o r good r e l a t i o n s i s (!Tell people in

x- advance about changes t h a t w i l l a f f e c t them."

-- -

T e l l people i n advance about

changes t h a t w i l l a f f e c t them.

Suppose saneone t e l l s you a t q u i t t i n g time t h a t t h e r e i s

t o be a committee meeting immediately.

Are you going t o l i k e i t ?

 UNION JOB RELATIONS S E S S I O N I 27

Are you going t o t h i n k about your c a r gool?

You a t l e a s t want a chance t o have your say.

Would it be a good i d e a t o t e l l people i n advance

about changes t h a t a f f e c t them?

Do you think t h a t would help the job r e l a t i o n s l i n e ?

I wonder i f t h e s e people k o i n t t o board7 wouldnl t l i k e

t o know i n advance about changes t h a t a f f e c t them.

4.;:- Another foundation f o r good r e l a t i o n s i s "Make b e s t use

+: of each member's a b i l i t y . "

Make b e s t u s e of each memberls

Lt
k e on b o a r d ability .
Eiam you e v e r knotvn a member who . ~ e n ts o u r because he
f z l t t h e r e was union work he could do i f anyone asked
hi-m?

Have you ever looked around t o s e e whether you were

using the a b i l i t i e s t h e members have? Do you know what
t h e i r a b i l i t i e s a r e ? Idake s u r e you d o n ' t p l a y f a v o r i t e s .

I wonder i f we always make b e s t use of the a b i l i t y of

these people E o i n t t o board7 .
These foundations a r e important t o everyone. Using them
w i l l smooth job r e l a t i o n s and a s s i s t us a s stewards t o
meet our r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s E o i n t t o b o a r q .
Be board vri1.J- look l i k e t h i g
2CJ U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSIOI'd I -

A steward geCts r e s u 2 . t ~ Foundations f o r

through people good r e l a t i o n s

17Steward

L e t each member
know h i s r i g h t s and
responsibilities

Give c r e d i t when
due.

T e l l people i n
advance about
changes t h a t w i l l
a f f e c t them.

Make b e s t use of
each member 1 s
ability .

55 nin.
t o here

Allm DEVELOP THZ llINDIVIDUALtl CHART.

10 m i n .

+: Does this mean t h a t a l l these people a r e a l i k e ? The

-2 answer i s no. People a r e d i f f e r e n t and must be
% treated as individuals.

k i t e on top r i g h t
b h i r d of board.: 1 People must be t r e a t e d a s
individuals

A l l r i g h t , no two of us a r e a l i k e .
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 29

L e t t s p u l l o u t one of these persons and s e e why he i s

different.

C
Draw 2 d o t t e d l i n e extending Zrom one of t h e m a l l
c i r c l e s t o another b i g c i r c l e . Label i t AN INDIVIDUAL.
Do not e r a s e the foundations.

We '11 l e t t h i s c i r c l e r e p r e s e n t any one of t h e s e people.

-2 So l e t f s take a look a t t h i s union member and what a f f e c t s

% hiii a s an i ~ l d i v i d u a l . We know t h a t his job i s a b i g f a c t o r .

E r i t e H i s Job on l e f q

Lone - t h i r d segment of
circle.
30 UNION JOB RFLATIONS SESSION I

Now what e l s e ? What o t h e r things a f f e c t him a s a n i n d i -

vidual? What makes one toolmaker d i f f e r e n t from a n o t h e r
toolmaker:

-
in i n t e r e s t s 2s
members suggest. Be
s u r e t o include Family,
Background, and Health.
6 His \

Give examples f o r each,

such a s : Individual
I His
Family -
Coes i t make a dif-
ference i f h e ' s
h a p p i l y married?

Background -
Is t h e r e a d i f f e r e n c e
between the person
who was r a i s e d on a
farm and one who
lived i n a city?

Health -
Suppose he 1s going
t o have an operation?
-
-
may a l s o g e t Kecreation, Wages, Love A f f a i r s
Education.

Write down n o t more than two o r t h r e e of t h e s e .

pave one segment f o r o t h e r f a c t o r s .

 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 31

There a r e , of course, many a d d i t i o n a l t h i n g s whish a f f e c t

the i n d i v i d u a l on the job.

@ave one s e c t i o n u n l a b e l e a

We w i l l l e t t h i s segment r e p r e s e n t Other Factors.

Ee completed c h a r t work K i l l look l i k e t h i g

A steward g e t s r e s u l t s Foundations f o r People must be t r e a t e d

through people good r e l a t i o n s as i n d i v i d u a l s

I Steward I
Let each member
know his r i g h t s
and responsi-
b i l ities.

chamges
- - - -t h-a-
t - An
w i l l affect Individual
them.

Make b e s t use of
each member's
ability .

A l l of these r e a l l y a f f e c t the i n d i v i d u a l who belongs t o

your union.

H e d o e s n ' t leave p a r t of himself a t home when he comes t o

work o r t o a union meeting.
32 U N I O N JOB RELATIOX3 SESS IO1J I

The things noted in t h e c i r c l e make i n d i v i d u a l s d i f f e r e n t .

You need t o know t h i s person as a s e p a r a t e i n d i v i d u a l because

he i s d i f f e r e n t and t h a t a f f e c t s him on t h e job.

Eummariae the c h a g

A steward g e t s r e s u l t s through people.

By using t h e foundations we can .improve our

r e l a t i o n s with people.

A steward must t r e a t h i s people a s i n d i v i d u a l s .

These a r e t h e b a s i s f o r good job r e l a t i o n s .

1 hr.
5 min.
t o here E3ut t h e i r use w i l l n o t prevent a l l problems.

Allow
5 min.
DEFINE A "PROBLEX .
What do we mean by a p r o b l e ~ ~ ?

-x- A problem i s ANYmING THE STEPdARD HAS TO TAKE ACTION ON.

This may include handling a complaint, o r any small i n c i d e n t

you have t o do something about.

-
Changes, i n t e r r u p t i o n s , and f a i l u r e s do occur; and s i t u a t i o n s
do arise. These cause p r o b l e m .

Each steward needs s k i l l i n understand-ing i n d i v i & a l s , sizing

up s i t u a t i o n s , and working with p e o p k .

Tie are going t o g e t experience i n using a method f o r meeting

problems .
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 33

What we a r e going t o be working on i s t h e r e l a t i o n between

you and people you represent.

This r e l a t i o n s h i p i s t h e same whether you a r e working on a

complaint, a grievance, g e t t i n g duzs paid, o r any of your
other responsibilities.

These r e l a t i o n s a r e important.

They a f f e c t t h e job.

Good r e l a t i o n s give you good r e s u l t s .

Poor r e l a t i o n s give you poor r e s u l t s .

1 hr.
10 min.
t o here Conditions change a l l t h e time - s o do r e l a t i o n s .

Allow INTRODUCE T.W.I. METHOD.

1 5 min.

bll t h e problem about Mike.

I Do not read. The t r a i n e r must be a b l e t o t e l l t h i s w e l l . ]
--I_

b h a n g i n g no ideas, b u t using words n a t u r a l t o bin.

--A
1. L e t us take a look a t t h e a c t i o n of one steward -
something t h a t happened i n a war production p l a n t .
34 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I

One day the steward walked i n t o t h e pay o f f i c e and

saw Mike s i t t i n g t h e r e , He asked Mike what he was doing and
Mike s a i d he was waiting f o r h i s pay-off a s he had been f i r e d .
It seemed a p l a n t p r o t e c t i o n man had r e p o r t e d him f o r being
a s l e e p i n t h e warehouse.

The steward asked him i f he had been a s l e e p , and Mike

s a i d he had - f o r t h r e e hours, Mike s a i d he needed his job.
Now the s t e w a d knew t h a t Mike had a bad r e c o r d and that h e l d
been warned by the supervisor.

Only two months ago the union had t o l d him t h e y were

f e d up and couldn 1 t keep on i n t e r c e d i n g f o r bin f o r e v e r .
Other pepple had complained about h i s l o a f i n g . He had been
found s l e e p i n g before by the p l a n t p r o t e c t i o n d e p a r i a e n t .

The steward decided t h a t he couldnIt do anything more

f o r him and s a i d "So long, Mike - b e t t e r l u c k next place.I1

E r a s e charts frm b o a 4

This s temard had a problem, didn 1 t he?

How do you t h i n k he handled i t ?

-:c J u s t what was this steward t r y i n g t o accomplish?

e t t h e group t o s a d

He wanted t o g e t Mike a square d e a l .

E f necessary, a s g

What i s t h i s stewardls r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o !!like?

I U N I O N JOB RELATIOhE SESSION I 35

C If the group tends t o agree with t h e steward,

them t h a t what he wanted was I1a square d e a l

But he made no attempt t o do anything about it.

lfi'ould you have taken t h i s a c t i o n ?

E o n o t l e t t h i s go i n t o ' extensive d i s c u s s i o d

k
f these p o i n t s do n o t come o u t in the d i s c u s s i o d
k z k e them yourself:

He made no attempt t o f i n d o u t why Eike wzs asleep.

The steward jumped t o the conclusion t h a t Mike was a f t e r

a l l j u s t an i r r e s p o n s i b l e person. Mike had been around
long enough t o know b e t t e r .

3 . E e l 1 what happened n e x g

The next day people i n the departnent came up and

---
t o l d t h e steward t h a t Mike was s i c k t h e day before. He decided
t o r e s t a b i t and went t o s l e e p . Held been very s t e a d y and
r e l i a b l e s i n c e h i s s o l d i e r son-in-law was k i l l e d two months
ago. He needed a l l he could make because he had h i s daughter's
c h i l d r e n t o support. Eilike was s i c k y e s t e r d a y and he was s t i l l
s i c k t h a t day.
 36 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I
I / I

4. PiscusCJ

Do these a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s throw more l i g h t ?

Mike had had a good. record f o r a fi%ile, b u t the steward

d i d n l t t h i n k of t h a t .

The steward c o u l d n t t t h i n k of anything good about Mike.

Vike had gone t o s l e e p because he w a s s i c k .

L e t t s look a t what the steward did from t h r e e angles:

How would Mike f e e l toward the steward?

How d i d the' o t h e r people i n t h e department f e e l

about the way he t r e a t e d Mike?

m a t d i d i t do t o d o n r e l a t i o n s ?

It was t h e wror~gt h i n g t o do on all t h r e e c o m t s .

5. Is t h e r e a way t o avoid mistakes l i k e t h i s ?

What could X i k e l s steward have done f i r s t ?

someone suggests ItTalk w i t h Mikett o r "Give him a

1
chance t o e x p l a i n , t t ask, "Do.you mean !Get t h e f a ~ t s t ? ~ !

Get the f a c t s

It c e r t a i n l y i s i m p o r t m t t o "Be s u r e you have t h e

--
- _ I _ - - -

whole s t o r y . t f
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 37

Then what would he do w i t h t h e s e f a c t s ?

group t o say and

w r i t e on board: 1 Weigh and Decide

A r e n ' t we a l l tempted to jump a t conclusions?

A f t e r deciding, what would he do next?

* d

group t o say Take Action

w r i t e on board:

Itls easy t o p a s s t h e buck, i s n ' t i t ?

A f t e r you take a c t i o n , i s i t a good i d e a t o s e e how

it came o u t ?

-
Check R e s u l t s

Did Xlike I s steward1 s a c t i o n s t r e n g t h e n union job

relations?
1 hr.
25 min.
t o here E e a v e s t e p s on b o a r g

Allow HAND OUT CARDS, SUTdMARIZE &-STEP METHOD.

1 5 min.

IMPORTANCE .
cards individually - STRESS THEIR
I
38 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I

E e a d t h e 'Hm t o Handle a Problem1' s i d e of t h e card a n q

k o m e n t as follows:

* Determine objective.

We agreed t h a t the steward wanted t o g e t a square d e a l

f o r Mike.

An o b j e c t i v e i s something t o shoot a t . I t ' s what you w a n t

t o accomplish.

* 1. Get the F a c t s .

We s a i d t h a t Mike s steward d i d n o t g e t the f a c t s .

u- Review the record. (source of f a c t s )

The steward r e c a l l e d Mike's previous bad record

b u t e v i d e n t l y overlooked h i s r e c e n t good record.

A l l records a r e n o t paper records. You include

what you know about saneone.

* Find o u t what union and p l a n t r u l e s and customs

* apply. (source of f a c t s )
There were r u l e s i n . both t h e p l a n t and the union.

There a r e some things t h a t a r e accepted a s what

you do i n t h e union and p l a n t . Some a r e w r i t t e n
and they' re r u l e s . But the unwritten customs a r e
j u s t as strong. You a l s o have t o consider any
precedents which have been e s t a b l i s h e d .

% Talk with i n d i v i d u a l s concerned. (source of f a c t s )

Mikels steward d i d n o t take the time t o t a l k with

Mike o r anyone e l s e i n t h e department.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 39

X- Get opinions and f e e l i n g s . ( s ource of f a c t s )

This steward j u s t d i d n ' t g e t the opinions of any

of these people and he didn' t think how they might
f e e l . Remember t h a t what a person f e e l s o r t h i n k s ,
r i g h t o r wrong, is a f a c t t o him and must be con-
s i d e r e d a s such.

* Be s u r e you have t h e whole s t o r y . (a c a u t i o n )

You pointed o u t t h a t the steward d i d n t t have t h e

wkole s t o r y - he d i d n o t know what had happened
in Mike t s family o r t h a t the man was ill.

++ 2. Weigh and Decide.

Did t h e steward do a good job on this s t e p ?

* fit the f a c t s together.

Look f o r gaps and contradictions. I n t h i s one

there were gaps, b u t the steward didnl t t r y t o f i l l
them in. Why Mike was a s l e e p i s the b i g gap i n the
facts.

* Consider t h e i r bearing on each o t h e r .

This steward only looked a t the bearing of some

f a c t s on each other. He overlooked Mike's c u r r e n t
good record and decided t h a t he was back i n the
old r u t .

* What possible a c t i o n s a r e there?

This steward thought t h e r e was only one t h i n g t o

do - t u r n Mike dovm. There i s u s u a l l y more than
one p o s s i b l e a c t i o n i f we s t o p t o weigh the f a c t s .

u Check union and management p r a c t i c e s and p o l i c i e s .

The steward has t o know the ground r u l e s . He has t o

know whether h i s a c t i o n i s within canpany p o l i c i e s
and p r a c t i c e s and within imion p r a c t i c e s and p o l i c i e s .
40 -
UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I

* Consider o b j e c t i v e and e f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l , group,

x- union, and production.

Mike's steward d i d n o t c o n s i d e r t h e e f f e c t of his

a c t i o n on his o b j e c t i v e , on Mike, on the o t h e r
people, on the union, o r on production.

* Don't jump a t conclusions. (a caution)

Do you t h i n k t h a t Mike's steward jumped a t a

conclusion?

X- 3. Take Action.

* Are you going t o handle t h i s y o u r s e l f ?

It was up t o Mike's steward t o handle t h i s problem.

36 Do you need h e l p i n handling?

Sometimes w e can g e t h e l p f r o n a n o t h e r department -

from an o f f i c e r o r from t h e d i s t r i c t o f f i c e .

-x Should you r e f e r t h i s ?

You have t o decide whether a problem i s beyond your

own a u t h o r i t y f o r a c t i o n .

* Watch t h e t k i n g of your a c t i o n .

The timing does influence t h e e f f e c t i m n e s s of what

you do. Think of t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s , n o t j u s t your
convenience.

% Don't pass the buck. (a caution)

I guess we a l l know what t h i s means - and m-e can s a y

f o r PXikels steward t h a t he d i d n ' t p a s s t h e buck. He
thought he h e w enough about t h i s t o t u r n Mike down.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 41

* L. Check Results .
It i s always important t o consider how you a r e going t o
follow up. This steward d i d n l t have t o check r e s u l t s -
t h e y came r i g h t t o him.

* How soon w i l l you f o l l o w up?

You make your f i r s t check as soon a s you can

reas onably expect r e s u l t s .

* HOW o f t e n w i l l you need t o check?

Sometimes you keep a n eye on sanething f o r q u i t e a

while j u s t t o make s u r e t h a t your a c t i o n hasnl t
caused asother problem. The way t h e steward t r e a t e d
Mike caused p l e n t y of o t h e r problems.

* Watch f o r changes i n a t t i t u d e s and r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h i n

* t h e urnion and toward management.

You have t o look a t what your a c t i o n d i d t o the

group a s w e l l a s t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l person concerned.

* Did your a c t i o n s t r e n g t h e n union .job r e l a t i o n s ?

We've s e e n t h a t t h i s steward f e l l down s t r a i g h t

through because

he f a i l e d t o g e t the f a c t s
he d i d n l t even consider all the f a c t s he had, s o
h i s a c t i o n was wrong, and
he got poor r e s u l t s

C
Ask stewards t o t u r n the cards over. Read t h e llFoundations
f o r Good Relations ,I1 commenting a s follows: 1
* Let each member know h i s r i n h t s and r e s ~ o n s i b i l i t i e s .
Wouldnlt it prevent a l o t of problems i f e v e r y member
unders t ood?
42 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I

c T e l l him what the union can do f o r him. (action point)

mis i s a never-ending job.

3 T e l l him what the m o n expects from him. (action point)

This i s important f o r every steward t o remember,

+$ Give c r e d i t when due.

Don't YE a l l respond t o recognition?

;:- Look f o r e x t r a o r unusual perfomance. (action point)

Sometimes i t ' s t h e man rvhols unusually r e l i a b l e

who deserves some form of c r e d i t .

-::-T e l l him while "it s hot." (action point)

Don't g e t s o busy t h a t you overlook some simple

thanks r i g h t when t h e y a r e due,

?$ T e l l people i n advance about changes t h a t w i l l a f f e c t them.

A l l of us have t o g e t used t o changes.

-2 T e l l them why if p o s s i b l e . (action point)

Givs reasons, not a r b i t r a r y d e c i s i o n s .

2~ Get them t o accept the change. (action point)

Help people t o understand.

2; Make b e s t use of each me~nberlsa b i l i t y .

t h i s lie 1:) b e t t e r job?

 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 43

X- Look f o r a b i l i t y n o t now being used. (action point)

Are you s u r e you know j u s t what a b i l i t i e s t h e r e

a r e i n your group?

X- Never s t a n d in a man's way. (action point)

Has t h i s e v e r caused t r o u b l e f o r you?

46 These a r e t h e b a s k r u l e s f o r good r e l a t i o n s . They w i l l

++ do a job f o r you i f you use them. If t h e y a r e used t h e y
+t w i l l keep many problems from coming up.

Remember thateyou need t o t r e a t a l l people a s i n d i v i d u a l s .

These foundations w i l l smooth union job r e l a t i o n s but

t h e y w i l l not i n s u r e you a g a i n s t problems.

'Ye have stewards because t h e r e a r e problems t o handle.

1 hr.
40 m i n . Vie a r e stewards because t h e union has d e s i g n a t e d us t o
t o here handle t h e s e problems.

Allow SUMMARIZE.
5 min.

1. Good stewardship i n c l u d e s two p o i n t s :

Vorking with t h e i n d i v i d u a l s you r e p r e s e n t i n a way

which makes everyday r e l a t i o n s h i p s smooth and prevents
many problems .This i s covered by t h e Foundations.

Handling problems t h a t do a r i s e i s covered b y t h e

4-s t e p method .
44 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I

2. The s t e w a r d ' s job c a n ' t be run from a s e t of r u l e s any

more t h a n you can l e a r n t o p l a y b a s e b a l l from a book.
You can r e a d about p i t c h i n g a curve b u t you c a n ' t g e t
t h e b a l l to curve u n t i l you have p r a c t i c e d .

3. -
Conditions do change; i n t e r r u p t i o n s do occur; problems
do came up. The Foundations and t h i s 4-step method will
help you t o handle these problems. This is a p a t t e r n t o
follow .
This method a p p l i e s whether t h e r e i s a Wagner Act o r n o t ,
whether you a r e dealing with a man o r a wman, Negro o r
White, Republican o r Democrat.

-
Why i s t h i s so? Because people a r e people once you g e t
under t h e i r s k i n s , regardless of r a c e o r c o l o r .

DISCUSS HOW PROBLEMS CaME UP.

+t L e t ' s look a t t h e way PROBLEXS c a m up.

1.* If you're on t h e watch i n your department you111 be

* tipped off when you n o t i c e changes in p e o p l e l s work o r
36 a t t i t u d e s . Suppose a man suddenly gets quarrelsome with
i t everyone around him -
t h a t l s a problem, i s n ' t i t ?
* Effective stewards g e t i n on these e a r l y .

.* O r , you may even have a s i t u a t i o n t o -

s i z e u p before it
* happens. The union may change a p o l i c y , o r suppose -
* management i s going t o bring a group of women i n t o a
-x- department where t h e r e have been only men. You may want
% t o do sane preventive work and s i z e up t h a t s i t u a t i o n
* i n advance s o t h a t you won't have a problem t o handle
* later.

3 .% Sometimes they ltcome t o you.I1 A member may a s k f o r a

;'c r a t e increase o r a t r a n s f e r , o r he may have a problem
% o r question.
 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 45

1 hr. 4.* Others, you I 1 r u n h t o . " Suppose you t e l l a member t o

45 m i l l - x- abide by' union policy, and he won't do it. O r perhaps
t o here v i t ' s a member who r e f u s e s t o pay dues.

Allow CONSIDER STEVVARDIS PROBLFMS ON THE JOB.

3.5 m i n .
1. E i s t r i b u t e problem s h e e t g

Some of t h e same problems come t o a l l stewards.

Maybe you- have a l l of these - o r none.

E s k group t o check problem s h e e t s 2

E e a d f i v e o r six o u t loud - discuss, n o t a t l e n g t g

Lbt t h e group read, a l l t h e way t h r o u g g

In t h i s group w e a r e going t o be working on your own
problems - the t h i n g s you have t o do something about.

b m m e n t on number of problems group h a d

k e Tips f o r Trainers.
1
p r a c t i c e i n following s e s s i o n s .

_I

Each of ym w i l l have a chance t o b r i n g i n a prcblem

during these s e s s i o n s .

We w i l l work on t h e s e problems t o develop our s k i l l

i n t h e use of t h e 4-step method.
46 U N I O N JOB KELATIONS SESSION I

UNION JOB RELATIONS SITUATIONS AIG PROBLEMS

Someme kicks about working c o n d i t101x3. l

Comglaint,~about slow handling of grievances.
Thember wants t o change jobs o f t e n .
Lack of i n t e r e s t i n union a c t i v i t i e s .
Worker v i o l a t e s union c o n t r a c t .

Iiember f e e l s he i s being pushed.

?,!ember unreasonable i n demands.
Man goes over your head t o complain.
Member t a k e s chances a t work.
Worker f a i l s t o come t o work every day.

LIember r e s e n t s changes.
, Yorker d i s s a t i s f i e d w i t h union agreement.
Worker i r r i t a b l e and touchy.
w e r a t o r r e f u s e s t o do c e r t a i n work.
Careless w i t h m a t e r i a l s and equipment.

Member g e t s discouraged l e a r n i n g job.

Former s teward caus ing t r o u b l e .
Member xants more money.
m210yee kicks when n o t promoted.
Pay d i f f e r e n t i a l causes trouble.

P l a n t i s going t o s t a r t h i r i n g women, o r Negroes.

Drop i n o v e r a l l production.
F r i c t i o n between s h i f t s .
;':embers f a i l t o a t t e n d meetings.
Defeated candidate n o t cooperating.
 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 47

--
We a r e n o t going t o c r i t i c i z e the steward o r p a s s
judgment on h i s a c t i o n .

Vhen you b r i n g in your problem,

-x Our d e f i n i t i o n of a problem i s something t h e steward has

+t t o take a c t i o n on. This includes recommending a c t i o n o r
-x sending a complaint o r grievance on t o a f u r t h e r s t e p ,
x- o r t e l l i n g someone he has no b a s i s f o r h i s complaint and
* t h a t no a c t i o n can be taken.

* It must involve you and t h e people you r e p r e s e n t - o t h e r -

it wise we may not have a l l t h e f a c t s o r know t h e i n d i v i d u a l s
3~ concerned .
* You may b r i n g i n a problem t h a t you have handled r e c e n t l y .
a These problems a r e good because t h e f a c t s a r e e a s i l y
3: r e c a l l e d .

-:You
- may b r i n g in a problen on which you have n o t as y e t
36 taken action. Pending p r o b l e m a r e always good.

% You w i l l h e l p a l l of us i f you w i l l b r i n g sone problems

-E t h a t d i d n t t t u r n o u t q u i t e r i g h t , s o 7ve can take a look
-E a t why t h e y turned o u t the way they did.

-X It w i l l a l s o be h e l p f u l i f you bring i n sone problems of

3: r e l a t i o n s h i p s e n t i r e l y w i t h i n the union, which do n o t
x- involve management o r the p l a n t . Sut remember, it s t i l l
4t must be something you can do something about.

Please do n o t bring i n the most involved problem t h a t

you have run i n t o i n a l l of your years of union experi-
ence. When problems a r e p r e t t y b i g , o r involved, most
of us u s u a l l y s a y - "This i s a p r e t t y tough one. I ' d
b e t t e r g e t the f a c t s and weigh them c a r e f u l l y . "

Stewards t e l l us t h a t t h e y u s n a l l y go a b i t s o u r with the

smaller problems as they appear t o be s o i n s i g n i f i c a n t t h a t
t h e y a r e prone n o t t o g e t the f a c t s , jump a t conclusions,
etc.
48 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I

We want t o g e t experience and p r a c t i c e h e m s o t h a t we

w i l l i n s t i n c t i v e l y t h i n k through small problems, s o
t h a t t h e s e s m a l l problems w i l l be handled s a t i s f a c t o r i l y
and f o r g o t t e n .

Some stewards s a y t h a t most a l l of t h e i r l a r g e problems

r e s u l t from small problems which were poorly handled.
I f t h e r e i s a l i t t l e blaze, w-e u s u a l l y can p u t it o u t
mtth a cup of water, b u t if i t develops i n t o a b i g b l a z e ,
t h e n we have t o c a l l o u t t h e f i r e departments from
neighboring towns.

Sometimes we overlook t h e l i t t l e t h i n g s . You give some-

one union work t o do and he j u s t d o e s n ' t do it.

You have a member who d o e s n ' t g e t t o work on time.

These small i n c i d e n t s are problems.

Because of o u r time l i m i t we have to have s h o r t and

r e l a t i v e l y simple problems. ?his i s necessary because
we a m going t o apply the e n t i r e method, n o t j u s t t h e
beginning of it. We can l e a r n t h e method j u s t as w e l l
on s h o r t problems a s on long ones. If w e g e t p r a c t i c e
and form a h a b i t , it w i l l be e a s i e r t o use t h e method
on more involved problems, and i t w i l l make t h e handling
of t h o s e problems s h o r t e r .

Remember t h a t the steward does much preventive work by

handling his problems while t h e y a r e new and small r a t h e r
than w a i t i n g u n t i l they a r e o l d e r and more complicated.

3. Do any of you have any problems, l i k e these on t h e p m b -'

lem s h e e t perhaps, f a c i n g you? I msan sane you have t o

handle y o u r s e l f ? Well, w i l l you, ..............
and
............ t e l l us about one a t t h e next meeting just
a s I t o l d you about Mike, s o w e a l l can take a look a t
them t o g e t h e r ?

E x p l a i n procedure f o r handling stewards

4. I ' m going t o bring i n a problem too.

 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I 49

Our purpose i n a l l these problems i s t o g e t p r a c t i c e i n

t h e u s e of the 4-step method. We only a c q u i r e skill
through p r a c t i c e .

5. You can begin t o use t h e s e foundations and t h e f o u r

-
s t e p s r i g h t away on the job.

That 1 s whe re this plan pays dividends .

2 hrs.
t o here group f o r i n t e r e s t and p a r t i c i p a t i o d

E l e a r the b o a r d
 U n i o n J o b R e l a t i o n s - - S e s s i o n I1
IbPORTANCE OF GETTING 'EE FACTS

Allow REVIEW 4 S E P METHOD.

5 mine

1. E r i e f l y make appropriate opening cominenb3

2. L e t ' s take a look a t our 4-step method of handling

problems.

What are the four s t e p s a good steward follows when

he takes a c t i o n on a problem?

-
from group and
place i n upper r i g h t
corner of board: I .
1. Get the f a c t s .
2. Weigh and decide.
3. Take a c t i o n .
4. Check r e s u l t s .

3 . We a r e s e t t i n g up a p a t t e r n hero.We handle these

s i t u a t i o n s i n slow motion, i n order t o g e t a c l o s e r
look a t them. Actually, on the job, even though t h i s
method i s many times speeded up, you s t i l l go throngh
the same steps.

5 mine 4. This may seem t o take time - but i f it saves time in

t o here the long run, i s n l t it s u r e l y worth i t ?
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 51

AUow DEVELOP ABILITY I N USING THE METHOD by presenting and discussing

35 min. t h e Toan probLem.

1. E o c u s a t t e n t i o n on importance of Step 1 - Get t h d

I n the use of this method Step 1 i s b a s i c , because t h e

success of Steps 2, 3 , and 4, depends on g e t t i n g a l l
the facts.

k n d e r l i n e Step J-I 1. Get t h e Facts

I n some problems ALL TKE FACTS are n o t obtained u n t i l

personal opinions and f e e l i n g s a r e considered
personal opinions and f e e l i n g s ms t be considered a s
.
These

f a c t s . What a worker t h i n k s - r i g h t o r wrong - i s a

f a c t t o him and must be considered a s such.

I am now going t o t e l l you about a problem i n which a

steward talked w i t h a man and, by g e t t i n g his opinions
and f e e l i n g s , obtained important f a c t s .

The purpose in r e l a t i n g t h i s p a r t i c u l a r problem i s t o

s t r e s s not only t h e importance of g e t t i n g t h e f a c t s , but
a l s o t o give us an opportunity t o s e e e x a c t l y how t h i s
steward talked with t h i s member i n o r d e r t o g e t personal
opinions and f e e l i n g s .
This problem i s one where what i s s a i d and how i t is s a i d
is very important. I ' m going t o read t h i s t o you, s o
w e l l 1 g e t j u s t what was s a i d by both of them.

2.
CRead the problem.
A MONOTONE.
MAKE I T LIVE. DO NOT READ I N
1
52 UNION JOB ~LATIONSSESSION I1

A steward i s o u t i n the shop and n o t i c e s a worlanan i s

reaching i n t o a machine. I n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r p l a n t t h e bargain-
i n g agreement between the union and management had created a
s a f e t y committee which made t h e steward j o i n t l y responsible
with the departmental foreman f o r t h e prevention of accidents
w i t h i n t h e i r departments.

'
Steward c a l l s out: Tom, I ve t o l d you t o s h u t off t h a t machine
when you take o f f the p a d .

C Trainer comment: The steward i s mad.

apparently warned Tom before.

Tom y e l l s back: I f you want t o r e p o r t me, why d o n l t you do

it i n s t e a d of nagging a t me a l l t h e time.
Eainer comment: Tom i s mad, tog
Steward: Keep your s h i r t on1 I d o n l t want t o g e t you i n
trouble. I j u s t d o n l t want you t o g e t your hand
mashed. The number of times th;t machine has t o be
adjusted makes me think t h e r e must be something wrong
with it.

Tom: Well, Ilrr. n o t going t o take any more panning.

Steward:
r Trainer c o m e n t : The steward i s c e r t a i n l y facing
a problem and he= i s what went through his mind
very quickly before he took any a c t i o n .

Now, l e t ' s see. I ' v e know Tom a long time. He's

I
been one of t h e b e s t men i n the department and a
good union member, But, l a t e l y , h e l s always i n
trouble, and the superintendent i s r i d i n g t h e union
about accidents. T m i s reckless a s the d e v i l about
h i s machine. But t h a t i s n l t a l l . Yesterday I had
t o g e t a f t e r him about h i s dues. And he hasnl t been
t o a union meeting i n months. Whatls happened t o
Tom? I guess I have been on h i s neck a l o t , But
i t was always some thing t h a t had t o be done. And
we c a n ' t have him taking chances the way he does.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 53
C-

b r a i n e r comment: Do you n o t i c e how this p r o b l e m l

I came up? There had been a change i n Tom, b u t t h e I

Lsteward d i d n ' t g e t i n t o the problem then- He

waited u n t i l i t b u r s t i n h i s f a c e . J
Steward: Suppose we g e t t o g e t h e r l a t e r and t a l k t h i s over.
I f t h e r e Is something wrong w i t h t h a t machine we 1 1 1
r e p o r t it.

-
T r a m e r comment: Why do you t h i n k t h e steward
d i d n ' t t a l k t o him then? Do you t h i n k it would
have done any good t o s t a y t h e r e r i g h t t h e n and
argue w i t h him? He i s n f t going t o t a l k i n t h e
-
department o r while Tom is mad.

That noon t h e steward watched f o r Tom and took h i s

lunch over and s a t down b e s i d e him.
I
Steward: Hello, Tom. Now, Tom, I guess you t h i n k I've been
r i d i n g you. I d o n ' t want t o do anything l i k e t h a t .
I f e l t I had t a y e l l a t you today because you were
doing something dangerous. And t h e r e r v e been a
cou?le of o t h e r t h i n g s l a t e l y t h a t t h e union j u s t
c a n ' t p u t up with.

Zvery time I s e e you taking a chance t h a t might cause

t r o u b l e , I ' v e g o t t o * s t o p you. When you d o n ' t pay
your dues, why then I ' v e got t o s a y something about
t h a t too.

Now i s t h e r e some t h i n g t h e m a t t e r with t h e machine?

I h o w youtre always r a i s i n g t h e guard and reaching
i n t o it. I f t h e r e Is something wrong w i t h t h a t machine,
I want t o g e t i t r e p o r t e d .

-Trainer comment: What is the steward doing here--

The steward i s t r y i n g t h e obvious t h i n g f i r s t -
t o s e e i f the t r o u b l e i s connected w i t h t h e
machine.
- -
1 54 UNION JOB RELATION3 SESSION I1
i 4

:
Tom: Well, if you think I ' m going t o run over t o t h a t
switch and p u l l it, and hang t h e "don't touchM s i g n
on it - you're j u s t crazy. Theylre y e l l i n g now about
how l i k t l e I g e t done. If I had t o spend h a l f of my
-

time turning that switch off and on, I wouldn't g e t

anything done. And the other day you s a i d there 'd
been a r e p o r t that I was l e t t i n g p a r t s t h a t were
below standard go through. Well, i f I d i d n ' t fix
t h a t machine they' d a l l be below s tandard.
-m a i n e r comment: Tom i s n ' t going t o make it easy,
i s he? The s t d could have c u t i n t h e r e and
t o l d h i m it wouldn't take h a l f t h e time t o t u r n
o f f t h e switch. Hem again he could have argued,
but he had gotten Tom off t o t h e s i d e because he
wanted t 6 talk w i t h him, s o he wasn't going t o
interrupt him. -
Steward: Now, Tom, t h e r e ' s more t o it t h a n breaking a s a f e t y
r u l e . ThereIs a reason behind t h a t r u l e . you're
a p t t o g e t your hand mashed.

Tom: And t h a t ' d c o s t t h e company money, wouldnl t i t ? And

then they'd r a z z t h e union.

Steward:
comment: The steward might think that
Tom was s o r e a t the company about money - o r
--
would t h a t be jumping a t a conclusion?

Oh, s u r e i t would c o s t t h e company money and they

I
r i d e us p l e n t y about accidents. But have we made
you t h i n k t h a t ' s a l l we1r e i n t e r e s t e d i n ?

Tom: well, t h a t l s a l l t h a t counts with some people.

Eainer coment: He1; b i t t e r about s a n e t h i n 4

Steward: It 1d c o s t us a good man. And t h a t 1s a hard thing

t o replace.
 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 55
-

Tom: Well, n o t everybody f e e l s t h a t way.

-
Trainer comment: He seems t o be thinking about
t h e importance of money t o some people. -l"r;e stewar
has a cue here - w i l l he follow i t up? Tom has bee
p r e t t y hard t o t a l k to. \That does the steward have
t o follow up from here?

Do n o t a l l o w extended discussion. I f t h e group

does n o t make the p o i n t , s a y t h a t Tom seems t o b t
-
thinking about t h e importance of money t o somebody.

Steward: Why a r e you s o s t r o n g on t h e money angle? You're

doing a l l r i g h t t h a t way, a r e n ' t you? S e e m t o me
you t o l d me l a s t sprhg you were going t o b u i l d on
t h a t l a n d of you-rs o u t on the pike. When a r e you
g e t t i n g married? When you have a wife she won1t
want you t o take chances.

Tom: Oh - nobody c a r e s if I do g e t a hand o f f .

Steward: Y'cur g i r l would care.

Tom: I d o n ' t have a g i r l any more.

Steward: I ' m s o r r y , Tom. I j u s t anted , t o g e t you thinking

of what a n i n j u r y t o you might mean t o somebody e l s e .

Tom: Well, i t d o e s n ' t mean anything t o anyone now. Nothing

about me would h u r t her. Why, she knew I was going t o
s t a r t t o b u i l d , b u t she married someone e l s e . So, a l l
I have is a hzlf-finished house. And t h a t ' s a l l I ' v e
got t o show f o r it.

Nobody c a r e s what happens t o me any more. And I d o n ' t

need t o t r y t o make any more money, o r save i t e i t h e r .
It changes a l o t of t h i n g s .
56 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1

-
Trainer cominent: This takes c a r e f u l handling. 1
The steward wants t o g e t Tom back t o normal pro- I
duction; he wants t o s t a y on good terms with ~orn.1
Now the steward has a chance t o make a speech - I
he could tell Tom he was lucky t o g e t r i d of her,l
b u t h e ' s going t o l i s t e n t o Tom, and not do a l l
t h e t a l k i n g himself.
-

Steward: A blow l i k e t h a t ' s bad, and i t ' s no use saying it

i s n ' t . But some.thes you j u s t have t o take it on
t h e chin. Some things can be f i x e d up, though. And
I wish you'd s e e your way c l e a r t o helping me f i g u r e
o u t what 1s wrong with the way t h a t l i n e is running.
I t ' s g e t t i n g you i
i trouble, and t h a t g e t s me i n on
it too.
I can s e e why you have g o t t e n a b i t c a r e l e s s about
t a k i n g chances. But I know you wouldn't have had t o
take those chances unless sonething e l s e had been
wrong. Now, is t h e machine worn? Does i t need .over-
hauling? How a r e the tools?

E r a i n e r comwnt: There seen t o be txo thingJ

b o look a t : (1) the man and ( 2 ) t h e m a c h i n e d

Ton: NO, i t i s n ' t the machine. The p a r t s a r e n ' t coning

through t h e same a s they used t o . There's a b u r r
l e f t on tnem; and a f t e r s o many have gone through,
w e l l , I j u s t have t o clean the machine out.

bridle t h i s problem according t o standard proceduree

3. J u s t what i s the steward t r y i n g t o accomplish?

C
Get from group and
place on board: 1 J u s t what i s t h i s steward t r y i n g
t o accomplish?
To make Tom a s a f e worker.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 57

4. What a r e t h e f a c t s ?

-
FACTS
Was a good worker
and p u t on board Quality and q u a n t i t y down
b r i e f l y . See t h a t Broke s a f e t y r u l e
these a r e includeti, Careless
but not necessarily Warned before
Talked back
Stopped a t t e n d i n g union meetings
Back on dues
Lost his g i r l
F e l t nobody cared
Burrs on p a r t s

E h e c k subheads of Step 1. USE c ~ I

rBe s u r e t h a t you l e a v e group with t h e r e a l i z a t i o n
t h a t t h e steward g o t t h r e e v e r y important f a c t s

Lbecause he t a l k e d - w i t h the i n d i v i d u a l t o g e t opinions

and f e e l i n g s .

5. E o n s i d e r Step 2, according t o standard p r o c e d u m I

Get p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s
from group. Weigh and Decide
Some may be - Possible actions
Warn about s a f e t y
rules.
Recornend p e n a l t y
layoff .
Report bad p a r t s .
T e l l him l o s i n g g i r l
- i s n 1 t your f a u l t .-

C -
e f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l group - union - production. I
Test p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s a g a i n s t o b j e c t i v e and probable
58 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1

6. Now l e t us s e e what d i d happen i n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r

problem.

E o n t i n u e t o read the p r o b l e g

Steward: I can s e e why t h a t would caase you t r o u b l e . Now,

I ' m s o r r y about your tough luck. But I do thank you
f o r helping me. I ' m going t o r e p o r t the bad p a r t s
t o the supervisor.

- -
Trainer comment: Throughout, t h e steward, had
l i s t e n e d sympathetically t o Tom, he had encour-
aged and helped him t o t a l k about the t h i n g s
t h a t were important t o him. Now t h a t he had
reached something s p e c i f i c , bad p a r t s , he 1 s going
t o t a l k t o management about i t ,

L L a t e r t h e steward goes i n t o the supervisor1s

office. I
Steward: I want t o t a l k t o you about the p a r t s the department
i s g e t t i n g from the punch p r e s s , They're n o t coming
through clean, There's a good operator on the l i n e ,
and i t ' s making i t p r e t t y dangerous f o r him if he
t r i e s t o keep up production.

7. What were t h e a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s t h a t the steward g o t by

talk in^ with Tom and g e t t i n g h i s opinions and f e e l i n g s ?

out on board
THE ADDITIONAL FACTS : 1 Lost h i s g i r l
F e l t nobody cared
Burrs on p a r t s

8. The steward looked a t a l l the f a c t s and he f e l t he

had a complete s t o r y .
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 59

He found o u t why Tom was off the beam.

Doesn't t h i s i n d i c a t e t h a t sometimes an a d d i t i o n of one

more f a c t w i l l preclude o r suggest a p o s s i b l e a c t i o n ?
Do you t h i n k we would have had t h e same p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s
i f t h e s e f a c t s had been missing?

9. What a c t i o n d i d he t a k e ?

-
Help group give 1 KTION
steward-' s - a c t i o n . Tald Tom he was s o r r y
Write t h i s a c t i o n Asked Tom's h e l p
- on t h e board: A Reported f a u l t y p a r t s

What f a c t s d i d t h i s steward use i n a r r i v i n g a t t h i s

decision?

E a n d l e S t e p 3 as i n the standard D r o c e d u r J

L e t ' s look a t

Are you going t o handle t h i s y o u r s e l f ?

It was t h i s steward 1 s problem.

He had t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o take some a c t i o n .

Need h e l p ?

Yes, he g o t Tom's h e l p - no o u t s i d e h e l p necessary.

Refer t o someone e l s e ?

To g e t good p a r t s - b u t didnl t t e l l Ton's t r o u b l e .

60 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1

Tom's steward d i d n ' t l o s e any time in a c t i n g .

E t r e s s importance of good t i m i n g

10. E a n d l e Step 4 a s i n t h e standard p r o c e d u r a

How soon do you t h i n k h e l l 1 follow up? More t h a n once?

What w i l l he look f o r ?

Do you t h i n k Tom's steward w i l l accomplish his o b j e c t i v e ?

Did t h i s steward use t h e &-step method up t o now?

11. ~ o n c l u s i o nt o t h e Tom p r o b l e ~ a

You remember t h e purpose of t h i s problem was t o s t r e s s

not only t h e importance of g e t t i n g t h e f a c t s , b u t a l s o
t o s e e how t h i s steward got personal opinions and f e e l i n g s .
You can s e e what might have happened i f t h i s steward had
n o t decided t o g e t more f a c t s before he took h i s a c t i o n .

Do you t h i n k Tom's steward was j u s t i f i e d in g e t t i n g him

t o tall about h i s p e r s o n a l a f f a i r s ? This depends on t h e
i n d i v i d u a l and t h e problem. This steward knew h i s i n d i -
v i d u a l well enough t o t a l k w i t h Tom.

Did you e v e r have a man go s o u r when something happened

i n h i s family? He brought what happened o u t s i d e of work
i n t o t h e p l a n t with him - j u s t a s Tom d i d . That's why
t h e steward has t o concern himself with p e r s o n a l
feelings .
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 61

Did you n o t i c e t h a t when Tom's steward t a l k e d t o t h e

s u p e r v i s o r he d i d n ' t r e v e a l t h e personal information he
had about Tom? He could have s a i d , ''1 have a j i l t e d guy
down h e r e , I t b u t he s a i d , ''1 have a good worker down here. 11

40 min.
t o here E l e a r board, except question and steps

Allam REM?3MBER WE SAID THAT OPINIONS AND FEELINGS a r e hard t o get.

5 mine We a l l can l e a r n and develop t h i s skill. Once t h i s s k i l l i s
acquired i t becomes a u s e f u l t o o l f o r a steward.

@ r i t e on b o a r a How t o g e t opinions and f e e l i n g s

1. J u s t how d i d Tom's steward f i n d o u t about Tom's opinions

and f e e l i n g s ?

H i s steward could have argued with Tom about i t s taking

him h a l f h i s time t o t u r n off t h e switch. Is anything
e v e r s a t i s f a c t o r i l y s e t t l e d by an argument? Our f i r s t
t i p , then, i s ltDontt argue. I t

Don1t argue

2. It took some encouragement t o g e t Tom t o t a l k about what,

seemed important t o him, d i d n ' t i t ? The steward had t o
h e l p him s a y d a t was wro,ng. The t i p then i s t o ,
ItEncourage him t o t a l k about what i s important t o him.''

Encourage him t o t a l k about what

is important t o h i ~ n
62 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1

3. I f you a r e t e l l i n g a s t o r y and someone i n t e r r u p t s you, do

you f e e l l i k e continuing i t ? A f t e r Tom s t a r t e d t a l k i n g
d i d t h e steward i n t e r r u p t him? Our t i p i s , "Don1 t
interrupt.

Don' t i n t e r r u p t

4. Could t h e steward have s p o i l e d everything by jumping a t

. t h e conclusion t h a t Tom was s o r e about money? The t i p
is, ItDon t jump a t conclusions.

Don't, j u r q a t conclusions

5. The steward had a chance t o make a couple of speeches,

d i d n ' t he - on s a f e t y -
on how l u c k y he was t o g e t r i d
of t h e g i r l ? You w i l l n o t i c e he d i d n ' t do a l l t h e t a l k i n g
himself. The t i p i s , llDonft do a l l t h e t a l k i n g y o u r s e l f . If

E r i t e on board] Don1t do a 1 1 the t a l k i n g yourself

.-

6. Was Tom's steward a good l i s tener? If you want t o g e t

opinions and f e e l i n g s you have t o l i s t e n , d o n ' t you?
Our t i p i s , I'Listen.l1

Listen

tips.
out t o t h e group the importance of using t h e s e
I
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 63

45 m i n . E l e a r t h e board - except question and s t e p g

t o here

Allow STE3TARDS PROBLEMS .

1 hr.
10 min.
two problems.
1 hr.
55 mill-
t o here
35 minutes each.
procedure.
1
A ~ O W SURE 3 PROBLEMS WILL BE PRESENTED AT NEXT S E S S I C ~
5 min.
1. -- 1 1 1 1 b r i n g i n another problem a t t h e next s e s s i o n .

2. W i l l a l l of you have one ready?

Now you can b r i n g i n a problem you want t o s i z e up t o

t r y t o take some p r e v e n t i x a c t i o n .

O r you can b r i n g one t h a t s on your hands r i g h t now.

O r perhaps you have j u s t f i n i s h e d a problem we can

consider.

But we do s e t up t h e s e requirements,

-:: It must be something between you ana the people

?t you represent.

x- It must be a problem which you have t o handle, not

-:: someone e l s e ' s job.
64 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1

* you must have the necessary information about the

3; employee o r employees involved - age, length of
-x- s e r v i c e , experience, e t c .

.......... and ......... brought i n the kind of

problems we have t o l i v e with. That 1s the Hnd we
.
man t

3. Do a l l of you have a problem t h a t you can t e l l us about?

To p r a c t i c e our 4-step method?

b f any member of group says he does n o t have a p r o b l e d

ke t h e problem s h e e t again. --.I

2 hrs.
t o here
rRemind the group t h a t , t o receive a c e r t i f i c a t e , each

kororily, and a t t e n d a l l sessions.

~ -
1
member must bring i n a problem, p a r t i c i p a t e s a t i s f a c -
_]

E l e a r the b o a r g
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I1 65

BLACKBOARD GUIDE - TO14 - PROBLGM NO. 2

Just what b t h i s steward

t r y i n g t o accomplish?
*

1. Get the f a c t s
To make Tom a s a f e worker.
2. Weigh and decide

3. Take a c t i o n

4. Check r e s u l t s

-
Facts Weigh and decide

Was good worker Possible a c t i o n s

Quality and q u a n t i t y down
Broke s a f e t y r u l e Warn about s a f e t y r u l e s
Careless Recommend p e n a l t y l a y o f f
Warned before Report bad p a r t s
Talked back T e l l him l o s i n g g i r l i s n ' t
Stopped a t t e n d i n g union meetings your f a u l t
Back on dues
Lost h i s g i r l
F e l t nobody cared
Burrs on p a r t s Action

Told Tom he was s o r r y

Asked Tom's help
Reported f a u l t y p a r t s
 S TAIJDARD PROCEDURE
1
1. Ask steward t o t e l l problem. Head of t a b l e . Does t h i s involve you and
somebody whom you represent? Have you
taken a c t i o n ? T e l l up t o f i n a l a c t i o n .

2. How problems come up. Where a p p r o p r i a t e , s t r e s s ; you sensed, o r

a n t i c i p a t e d a change.

3. Get o b j e c t i v e . Get from Steward:

Something t o shoot at. May be changed.

?%at do you want t o have happen here?
Does t h i s problem a f f e c t the group?
What n e t r e s u l t do you want a f t e r you
have taken a c t i o n ?

G e t group agreement.

4. Get f a c t s . Steward f i r s t , a s he r e c a l l s , them of:%and.

Review subheads w i t h steward - USE CARDS.
G e t a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s from group - USE
CARDS.

5. Weigh and decide. F i t Facts - Look f o r gaps and contradic-

t i o n s with group.
Possible Action:
What f a c t s used? - from steward.
Check p r a c t i c e s and p o l i c i e s w i t h
steward .
Check o b j e c t i v e f i r s t w i t h group, then
l a s t w i t h steward.
Check probable e f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l ,
group, union, production, w i t h
steward .
6. Balance of problem. Facts used (from steward).

7. Check S t e p 3. Subheads - w i t h steward.

Why? - How? - Timing?

8. Check Step 4. Subheads - steward.

When? - How o f t e n ? - What?

9. Check o b j e c t i v e . Steward .
10. Foundations ( i f a p p l i c a b l e ) . Steward.

(Thank steward and c l e a r board except question and s t e p s . )

 U n i o n J o b R e l a t i o . n s - - S e s s i o n 111

WEIGHING AND DECIDING

s t a r t s , place J u s t what i s t h i s 1. G e t the f a c t s

steward t r y i n g t o 2. Weigh and decide
accomplish? 3 . Take a c t i o n
4. Check resu-its

A l l ow REVIEVV 4STEP WTHOD.

5 min.
1. Now do we a l l have our cards? Suppose we take a look a t
the ,!+-step method. I n our l a s t s e s s i o n t h e problem I
presented about Tom who l o s t h i s g i r l s t r e s s e d t h e impor-

.
tance of g e t t i n g t h e f a c t s , with p a r t i c u l a r reference t o
personal opinions and f e e l i n g s

We looked a t the way a steward g o t the f a c t s i n order t o

make a good d e c i s i o n . It takes time t o do t h i s , b u t i n
the long run i t does save time, d o e s n ' t i t ?

2. It i s i n t e r e s t i n g t o n o t i c e t h a t a s i m i l a r method i s
used by p r o f e s s i o n a l people. For instance, l e t us s e e
how a doctor handles h i s problem?

Step 1 - Does t h e d o c t o r g e t t h e f a c t s ?

Record -
personal h i s t o r y - blood pressure -
temperature

Rules and customs - medical knowledge - prac-tice -

ethics.
69 UNION JOB RELATIOPJS SESSION I11

Talk - t o g e t more f a c t s , c o n f i d e n t i a l .
Cpinions and f e e l i n g s - very important.

Step 2 - Diagnosis.

F i t f a c t s t o g e t h e r - assemble f a c t s .
Consider bearing on each o t h e r - symptons.
P o s s i b l e a c t i o n s - medicine, operate..
Check p r a c t i c e s and p o l i c i e s - must comply w i t h laws.
E f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l - group - contagion.
Don't jump a t conclusions - c a r e f u l diagnosis.

Step 3 - Treatment.

Take a c t i o n - p r e s c r i b e , operate.
Handle y o u r s e l f ? - h i s s p e c i a l t y .
Help i n handling - nurse, t e c h n i c i a n .
Refer - more experienced doctor, s p e c i a l i s t .
Coctors d o n ' t l o s e f a c e i n doing t h i s .
Timing - importance of timing.
Don't pass the buck.

Step 4 - Check r e s u l t s - X-ray.

How soon - depends on case.

How o f t e n - it d i f f e r s .
Watch f o r - changes i n condition.

This method we have been t a l k i n g about works i n o t h e r

p r o f e s s i o n s , d o e s n ' t it? The d o c t o r in an emergency
of l i f e o r death s t i l l takes time f o r all t h e s e
steps.

3. Now l e t ' s t u r n t h e s p o t l i g h t on S t e p 2 of our method,

Weigh and Decide.

Good decisions must have a good foundation.

You must have t h e f a c t s ,
They must be weighed.
 U m O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION 111 69

E n d e r l i n e Step 2. Weigh and decide

t o here

Al~0w PRESENT THE PROBLEbO ABOUT THE OLD HAND.

30 m i n e

1. L e t ' s t a k e a look a t something t h a t happened i n a w a r

p l a n t and p a r t i c u l a r l y a t t h e d e c i s i o n t h e steward made
s i n c e we a r e today s t r e s s i n g S t e p 2.

E e l 1 t h e opening of t h e p r o b l e a

There was a n o l d hand who was t r a n s f e r r e d i n t o t h i s

department because he had been i n j u r e d . He was breaking a s a f e t y
r u l e when he was h u r t . But t h e union had taken up t h e problem
and got t h e t r a n s f e r t o a job he could do even i f he d i d have a
bad f o o t . That meant, of course, t h a t he g o t f u l l pay i n s t e a d
of w o r k e n ' s compensation.

Now t h e o l d hand never showed t h a t he a p p r e c i a t e d what

had been done. The steward c o u l d n ' t g e t any cooperation from
him a t a l l . The supervisor c m p l a i n e d about him a l l t h e time,
too.

Everybody could s e e t h a t he w a s l o a f i n g on t h e job.

H i s f o o t was healed and he kept hounding t h e steward about
g e t t i n g t r a n s f e r r e d back t o h i s o l d job. The steward was f e d up,

One day t h e old hand y e l l e d c l e a r across t h e shop a t

t h e steward. 'When a r e you going t o g e t me my t r a n s f e r ? What
do you t h i n k I pay dues f o r ? Not t o keep people l i k e you i n
office !

Everyone was l i s t e n i n g . The steward was s o r e . He

decided i t was time t o do something about t h i s problem.
70 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I11

2.

rComment on how problem came up - r a n i n t o it, but

steward had warning - t h e old hand had been complaining
f o r some time.

b
1
3
C I
Get t h e o b j e c t i v e from
group and put on board.
Eliminate trouble inthe

-
Continue with standax;
Facts
procedure t o g e t t h e s e
f a c t s , b u t not neces- Old hand - i n j u r e d
s a r i l y i n t h i s order. Broke r u l e - h u r t f o o t
-Place on board. - Union a s s i s t e d i n t r a n s f e r
-
f u l l pay
Union a c t i o n n o t appreciated
Uncooperative with steward
Loafed on job
Foot O.K. - wanted t r a n s f e r
Steward Ted up
Made a scene
Steward s o r e
Everyone l i s t e n i n g

E e v i e w t h e card, subheads Step

5. ETEP
2 - FOLLOW s 'PANDARD PROCEDUFZ

- -
G e t p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s from
group. Some may be: Weigh and d e c i d e

Ask t h a t man be Possible a c t i o n s

transferred
Ignore
Get o t h e r union members
t o help
Calm him down, then
remind him what union
has done f o r him
T e l l him t o q u i t i f he
- doesn't l i k e it -
 UNION JOB RELATIOl'JS SESSION I11 71

C Test p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s a g a i n s t o b j e c t i v e and probable

e f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l - group - union - I
and production.

6. Now l e t ' s f i n i s h t h e problem and s e e what a c t u a l l y

happened.

Vell, t h e steward l e t him have it. He t o l d t h e old

hand j u s t e x a c t l y how lute he was and how much t h e union had
already done f o r him and t h a t he wasn't going t o do anything
more.

But t h e old'hand d i d n ' t l e t t h a t end it. He went t o

h i s old boss and t h a t s u p e r v i s o r took i t up. The o l d hand d i d n ' t
even know t h a t t h e t r a n s f e r had been t o g e t him f u l l pay. H i s
old boss was glad t o have h h back, and f i x e d it up.

Then the p r e s i d e n t of t h e l o c a l heard about it ana -

he t o l d t h a t steward a few t h i n g s . This old hand was one of t h e
o r i g i n a l members of the l o c a l , and he f e l t t h e younger members
owed him q u i t e a l o t .

7. L e t a d d i t i o n a l f a c d -
Facts

L
Xrom group and l i s t
on board under f a c t s :
I Founder of l o c a l union
Didn't know union had helped
him g e t f u l l pay.

8. E o n t i n u e with standard p r o c e d u r a

Action
p r i t e on the b l a c k 7
kard: I- Told him union had done a l l
it would f o r him.

- aasr "". h
..
72 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I11 -

L-
Have group i d e n t i f y the f a c t s which t h e steward used
when he came t o t h e d e c i s i o n t h a t he wasn't going t o
do anything f o r t h e old hand.
I
CAlso have group i d e n t i f y tine f a c t s which were n o t
used i n t h e f i n a l decision. 1
Does t h i s make a reasonable case f o r t h e o l d hand?

Does t h i s i n d i c a t e t o you t h a t , if t h e steward had

i n t e l l i g e n t l y weighed a l l t h e f a c t s which he had, he
would n o t have refused t o help him?

t o t h e group t h a t the steward gave weight t o

only a very few of t h e f a c t s which he had a s a b a s i s
I
Other stewards, by giving more weight t o the f a c t s which
he missed, might a r r i v e a t o t h e r decisions, such a s those
a l r e a d y l i s t e d on t h e blackboard under Possible Actions ,

9. F o m e n t on S t e p 3 subheads - Standard ~ r o c e d u r q
k v e group follow cards . _I

Handle y o u r s e l f ? - This was h i s problem.

Help i n handling? - D i d n ' t ask f o r help.

Refer? - Didn't r e f e r .

T h i n g of a c t i o n ? - Was t h i s t h e time t o take a c t i o n ?

 UNION JOB R3LATIONS SESSION I11 73

on Step 4 subheads
Use c a r d s .
- Standard Procedure.
I
How soon? Horn of t e n ?

This steward d i d not have t o check up on t h e r e s u l t s

of h i s a c t i o n . They were n o t s a t i s f a c t o r y t o t h e
o l d hand and he went over t h e steward's head.

Changes i n a t t i t u d e s and r e l a t i o n s h i p s ?

This steward l o s t s t a n d i n g with the i n d i v i d u a l , t h e

group, and h i s union.

foundation p o i n t s a s i n st,andard procedurs.

1
LH i t hard on Wake Best Use of Each P e r s o n ' s
Ability. (prevention)

13,. I t is i n t e r e s t i n g t o note i n t h i s problem t h a t even

though the steward d i d not have a l l the f a c t s , never-
t h e l e s s he d i d n o t do a good job of weighing t h e f a c t s
which he had.

Pzrhaps i f he had given more weight t o s e v e r a l seemingly

unimportant f a c t s , he would n o t have taken t h e a c t i o n
which he d i d .

35 min.
t o here.
E l e a r t h e blackboard except question and steps
74 U N I O N J O B R E L A T I O N 3 S E S S I O N I11 -

A11m STZWARDS PROBLEMS.

1 hro

1
25 min.
3 problems.
2 problems 3 0 minutes each
1 problem 25 minutes
Standard procedure

2 hrs.
t o here
what you mean by a problem; how t h e y come

i n a problem, p a r t i c i p a t e s a t i s f a c -
a l l f i v e sessions. 1
group t h a t , t o r e c e i v e a c e r t i f i c a t e , each
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I11 75

BLACKBOARD GUIDE - OLD HAND - PROBLEM NO. 3

Just what i s t h i s steward

t r y i n g t o accomplish
-
1. S e t t h e f a c t s
Eliminate t r o u b l e i n
the group 2. Weigh and d e c i d e

3. Take a c t i o n

4. Check r e s u l t s

Facts Weigh and decide

Old hand - Fnjumd Possible a c t i o n s

Broke r u l e - hurt f o o t
Union a s s i s t e d i n t r a n s f e r - Ask t h a t man be t r a n s f e r e d
I u l l pay Ignore
IJnion a c t i o n n o t appreciated Get o t h e r union member t o h e l p
Unco~perativew i t h steward Calm him down, t h e n remind
Loafed on job him what union has done f o r
Foot O.K. - wanted t r a n s f e r him
Steward f e d up T e l l him t o q u i t i f he d o e s n ' t
Made a scene l i k e it
Steward s o r e
Everyone l i s t e n i n g

Action

Told him union had done all

i t could f o r him
 76 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION T I 1

STANDARD PROCEDURE

1. ~ s steward
k t o t e l l problem. Head of t a b l e . Does this involve you and
somebody whom you r e p r e s e n t ? Have you
taken a c t i o n ? T e l l up t o f i n a l a c t i o n .

2. How problems came up. Where appropriate, s t r e s s ; you sensed, o r

a n t i c i p a t e d a change.

3. Get objective. Get from steward:

i
I
Some t h i n g t o shoot at. May be changed.
m a t do you want t o have happen h e r e ?
Does t h i s problem a f f e c t the group?
What n e t r e s u l t do you want a f t e r you b
have taken a c t i o n ?

Get group agreement.

4. Get f a c t s . Steward f i r s t , a s he r e c a l l s them offhand.

Review subheads w i t h steward T.USE CARDS.
Get a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s from group -
USE
CARDS.

5. Weigh and decide. F i t Facts - Look f o r gaps and contradic-

t i o n s w&th group.
Possible Action:
What f a c t s used? - from steward.
Check p r a c t i c e s and p o l i c i e s w i t h
steward .
Check o b j e c t i v e first w i t h group, then
l a s t with steward .
Check probable e f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l ,
group, union, production, w i t h
steward .
6. Balance of problem. Facts used (from steward).

'7. Check Step 3. Subheads - w i t h steward.

Why? -
How? -
Timing?

8. Check Step 4. Subheads - steward.

When? - How often? - What?
9. Check o b j e c t i v e . Steward.

10. Foundations (if a p p l i c a b l e ) . Steward.

(Thank steward and c l e a r board except question and s t e p s . )

 U n i o n J o b R e l a t i o n s - - S e s s i o n I V

TAKING PREVENTIVE A C T I O N AND CHECKING RESULTS

J u s t what i s t h i s 1. Get t h e f a c t s
s t a r t s , place Local Union P r e s i - 2. Weigh and decide
dent trying t o 3. Take a c t i o n
accomplish? 4. Check results

Allow PFLACTICE ON STEPS 3 AND 4.

30 min.

1. k k e a p p r o p r i a t e opening c a m n e n t d

2. By t h e use of t h e Tom problem i n Session I1 we discussed

securing t h e f a c t s through g e t t i n g p e r s o n a l opinions and
feelings .
Using t h e problem about t h e o l d hand i n o u r l a s t s e s s i o n
we p r a c t i c e d on S t e p 2, V e i g h and Decide . I t

I n t h i s s e s s i o n we a r e going t o h i t hard on Steps 3 and

4, !!Take Action, and ltCheck Results. 11

3. Take Action

4. Check R e s u l t s

Now I an going t o p r e s e n t a problem which shows how a

l o c a l union p r e s i d e n t took a c t i o n which was preventive,
and how he checked t h e r e s u l t s o f t h a t a c t i o n .
78 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I V

3. Because of expansion, s c a r c i t y of l a b o r , and many o t h e r

reasons, changes a r e taking place i n organizations
throughout the country.

There a w many d i f f e r e n t types of changes such as:

change i n s h i f t
change i n arrangement of benches o r machines

This problem i l l u s t r a t e s OlUE KIND of change.

4. El1 t h e opening of the problem of t h e woman s u p e r v i s o a

The p l a n t superintendent c a l l e d Bob Jones, t h e l o c a l

uniog p r e s i d e n t , i n t o h i s o f f i c e and t o l d him t h a t t h e manage-
ment had decided t o use women supervisors a s w e l l a s men. The
superintendent t o l d Bob tha,t he was going t o f i l l supervisory
vacancies with women on the b a s i s of s e n i o r i t y and a b i l i t y , a s
was t h e r u l e with men.

He a l s o t o l d him t h a t both men and women s u p e r v i s o r s

were t o have t h e same a u t h o r i t y and t h e same opportunity f o r
advancement. Bob considered t h i s very c a r e f u l - l y and reviewed
t h e following f a c t s .

One supervisory p o s i t i o n had t o be f i l l e d , and no

q u a l i f i e d men were a v a i l a b l e . A l l men capable of supervisory
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y had been upgraded o r had been t a k e n i n t o the armed
forces . Most of t h e new employees who had come t o t h e p l a n t i n
t h e l a s t 1 8 months were women.

Bob was informed t h a t a w e l l q u a l i f i e d woman had been

s e l e c t e d f o r t h e job. A s she was t o be t h e f i r s t woman super-
v i s o r in t h e plm-t, Bob amticipated trouble. This was a major
change. It looked probable t h a t both men and 7:omen mernbers
might not l i k e having a woman i n a u t h o r i t y , hlore women super-
visors would probably be appointed l a t e r .

This was t h e problem Bob faced.

Should he do anything a,bout i t ?

 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I V 79

5. E i s c u s s how t h i s problem came up - saw i t c o r n i n 4

6. k b t a i n o b j e c t i v e - use s t a n d a r d p r o c e d u r l

-
CGet from group
and p l a ~ eon board: 1 t
To g e t moman s u p e r v i s o r accepted

7. b o through Step 1 - Get Facts - Use s t a n d a d 1

Facts
Lt f a c t s from1
group - l i s t on No women s u p e r v i s o r s before
board, b u t not Rule - seniority - ability
n e c e s s a r i l y in Same a u t h o r i t y and opportunity
One job open
No q u a l i f i e d men
Woman s e l e c t e d
Anticipated t r o u b l e

b e v i e w t h e subheads Step 1 - use s t a n d a r q

8. E o through S t e p 2 - use standard procedure]

80 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION I V
4.

- -
E i st possible actions Weigh and decide
which group suggests
They may be:
. Possible actions

mass meeting
n o t i c e on b u l l e t i n
board
s a y nothing

-
rCheck a l l p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s a g a i n s t o b j e c t i v e , and
probable e f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l , group, union, and

Bob thought t h e s i t u a t i o n over p r e t t y c a r e f u l l y . Then

he t a l k e d i n d i v i d u a l l y wikh h i s f e l l o w un2on o f f i c e r s and a l s o
he t a l k e d i n d i v i d u a l l y t o those of t h e members who were looked
on a s n a t u r a l l e a d e r s . He gave them t h e f a c t s and asked f o r
t h e i r help.

There was q u i t e a commotion - some members s a i d t h e y

wouldn't s t a n d f o r it. Bob gave them a chance t o do t h e i r t a l k -
i n g and blowing o f f , Eventual1.y t h e workers agreed.
By t h e time t h e new s u p e r v i s o r took over h e r work the
o u t b u r s t was over and t h e members cooperated i n accepting h e r ,
Before she went i n t o h e r department Bob t a l k e d ~ 5 t h e r , He
t o l d h e r t h a t s i n c e she mas going t o be t h e f i r s t woman super-
v i s o r i n t h e p l a n t she might run i n t o some d i f f i c u l t y and t h a t
she must n o t be e a s i l y offended. He asked. h e r t o d o h e r b e s t
because it would n o t only a f f e c t h e r b u t a l s o o t h e r women members
of t h e union who would be appointed a s s u p e r v i s o r s l a t e r .
During t h e f i r s t day on h e r new job, Bob t a l k e d with
h i s f e l l o v union o f f i c e r s and l a t e r i n the day mith t h e n a t u r a l
l e a d e r s he had talked w i t h before. 'They informed him t h a t appar-
e n t l y t h e new s u p e r v i s o r was accepted and everything was O.K.
Rob, t o be s u r e t h a t h i s preventive a c t i o n vms e f f e c t i v e , kept
i n c l o s e touch w i t h t h e s i t u a t i o n f o r some t - b e .
 U N I O N JOB RELATIOm SESSION IV 81

L
11. Get union p r e s i d e n t I s
a c t i o n from grop? and
l i s t on board:
I dc t i o n
Cave t h e f a c t s i n advance t o
fellow officers - natural
leaders
Asked t h e i r help
Let them blow o f f s tea^
Asked cooperation of new
su2ervis o r

What f a c t s d i d Bob consider?

S t e p 3, TAKE A C T I O N - Standard Procedure -

Gse cards. Get. from group o r make t h e following

Bob handled t h i s himself - why?

Bob f e l t it v;as h i s job a s l o c a l union p r e s i d e n t , and
he was b e s t q ~ a l i f i e dt o handle it.

DLd Bob g e t help? What advantage was i t ?

Bob g o t h e l p from f e l l o w o f f i c e r s and n a t u r a l l e a d e r s
because t h e y were i n a p o s i t i o n t o h e l p him g e t
acceptance of t h e change.

Should i:oblnve r e f e r r e d t h i s t o h i s d i s t r i c t o f f i c e ?
Eob f e l t he should handle it.

I n h a t way d i d Bob's tinLng c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e success

of h i s a c t i o n ?
Bob allowed j u s t the r i g h t time f o r them t o blow off
steam and c o o l off bef0i-e t h e woman s u p e r v i s o r took
over.

Could Bob have passed t h e buck? HOW?

Could have blamed management f o r a bad i d e a .
82 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I V

-
Discuss Step 4, CHECK RESULTS, Standard ~ r o c e c l u r d
Use c a r d s .
-
How soon? IFny was i t important f o r Bob t o check
immediately?

This change af'fected the whole p l a n t .

How often? Bob kept i n close touch with t h e s i t u a t i o n .

why?

Bob must chepk c l o s e l y u n t i l he i s c e r t a i n the change

is accepted.

Did Bob check e f f e c t upon a t t i t u d e s , r e l a t i o n s h i p s , and

output? W a t d i d he look f o r ?

Good a t t i t u d e of fellow o f f i c e r s i n d i c a t e s acceptance

of change.

Good r e l a t i o n s h i p with members i n h e r department

proves h e r acceptamce .
Did Bob accomplish h i s o b j e c t i v e ? How dici he know. He
used S t e p 4.

What foundation p o i n t s were used i n t h i s problem?

-
Bring out Foundations 3 and 4:

" T e l l people in advance about changes t h a t w i l l

a f f e c t them.'!

- "Make b e s t u s e of each member's a b i l i t y .

_I
30 min. E l e a r t h e board except question and steps
t o here
 UhnON JOB RELATIONS SESSION I V 83

Allow DISCUSS EFFECT OF CHANGE.

5 min.
L e t t s t a k e a look a t t h e importance of p r e p a r h g f o r t h e
i n t r o d u c t i o n of changes which a f f e c t indi-viduals and groups.

Making t h a t change in Bob 1s department was something

new. Members had p e r s o n a l f e e l i n g s about how t h i s
change would a f f e c t them.

People g e n e r a l l y g e t used t o doing things i n a p a r t i c -

u l a r place o r i n a c e r t a i n way. We a r e a l l i n c l i n e d
t o question whether it i s necessary to'change the t h i n g s
we have become accustomed t o .

Do workers r e s i s t changes which a f f e c t t h e i r work p l a c e

o r t o o l s o r the people t h e y w i l l be working w i t h o r
next t o ?

This, then, is a place where one of our foundations f o r

good Union Job Relations comes i n - t e l l members in
advance about changes t h a t w i l l a,ffect them.

Preparing t h e way f o r a change i s s u r e l y an e q u a l l y

good t h i n g t o do when changes i n payment p l a n s , hours,
l o c a t i o n of t h e department, new machinery, new products
o r m a t e r i a l a r e about t o be introduced. The same
a p p l i e s t o a l l changss i n union p o l i c y o r r u l e s .

The f i r s t boy p u t i n t o a group of oldtimers o r a woman

on machines t h a t have always been run by men a r e t y p i c a l
of problems stewards ca.n do s one thing about i n advance.

Preparation of t h i s s o r t prevents problems from a r i s i n g

l a t e r , saves time, and imgroves r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

But even though t h e way has been prepared f o r the change, it

it s t i l l wise t o check t h e r e s u l t s t o f i n d o u t how t h e i n d i -
35 ?Kin. vidual o r t h e m e ~ b e r sof the union accomodate themselves t o
t o here the change.
84 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION I V

Allow S'ITWARDS I PROBIB.!! .

1 hr.
25 min.

3 problems.
-
2 problems - 30 minutes each.
1 problem - 25 minutes.
2 hrs. procedure.
t o here
-

E l e a r t h e board]
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION IV 85

O BLACKBOARD GUIDE - WOMAN SUPERVTSOR - PROBLEM NO, 4

Just what i s t h i s l o c a l union

president trying t o accomplish?

1. Get the f a c t s
To g e t woman supervisor
accepted. 2, Weigh and decide

3. Take a c t i o n

4. Check r e s u l t s

-
Facts Weigh and decide

No wolcen supervisors before Possible actions

Rule - seniortty - a b i l i t y
Same a u t h o r i t y and opportunity Mass meeting
One job open Notice on b u l l e t i n board
No q u a l i f i e d men Say nothing
Woman s e l e c t e d
Anticipated trouble

Action

Gave f a c t s i n advance t o
fellow-officers and n a t u r a l
leaders
Asked t h e i r help
Let them blow off steam
Asked cooperation of new
supervisor
 86 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION IV

STANDARD PROCEDURF:

1. ~ s steward
k t o tell problem. Head of t a b l e . Does t h i s involve you and
somebody whom you represent? Have you
taken action? T e l l up t o f i n a l action.

2. How problems come up. Where appropriate, s t m s s ; you sensed, o r

anticipated a change.

3. Get objective. Get from steward:

Something t o shoot at. May be changed.

Vhat do you want t o have happen here?
Does this problem a f f e c t the group?
What n e t r e s u l t do you want a f t e r you
have taken action?

Get group agreement.

4. Get f a c t s . Steward f i r s t , a s he recalls. them offhand.

Review subheads with steward - USE CARDS.
-
Get a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s from group USE
CARDS.

5. Weigh and decide. F i t Facts - Look f o r gaps and contradic-

t i o n s with group.
Possible Action:
What f a c t s used? - from steward.
Check p r a c t i c e s and p o l i c i e s with
steward.
Check objective f i r s t with group, then
l a s t with steward.
Check probable e f f e c t on individual,
group, union, production, with
steward.

6. Balance of problem. Facts used (frcm steward).

7. Check Step 3 . Subheads - with steward.

Why? - How? - Timing?

8. Check Step 4. Subheads - steward.

When? - How often? - What?
9. Check objective. Steward .
10. Foundations ( i f applicable). Steward.

(Thank steward and c l e a r board except question and s t e p s . )

 U n i o n J o b R e l a t i o n s - - S e s s i o n v
A STEWARD I S OTHER WORK FLEXATIONSHIPS

[ ,
s tarts p l a c e
on board : 1
Before s e s s i o n Just what i s t h i s
steward' t r y i n g t o
accomplish?
1. Get t h e f a c t s
2. Weigh and decide
34.. Check
Take a rcet isounl t s

1. &ake appropriate opening c0ments.J

50 min.
t o here 2. E a n d l e two problems - 25 minutes eacg

(5 minutes i s allowed here i f necessary f o r t h e 7

1 handling of the t e n t h s tewardr s problem, o r an (
1 a d d i t i o n a l problem from t h e group. I f t h i s time (
n o t needed, go r i g h t on w i t h s e s s i o n . J

50 min.
or 1 hr.
15 min.
to here E l e a r the b o a d 3
88 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION V

Allow REVlEPV OF JOB R E U T I O E CARD.

10 mine

1. re there any questions about the 4-s t e p method f o r

handling a steward 1s problem?

2. E e v i e w foundations f o r good r e l a t i o n s b r i e f a

A l l people l i k e t o be t r e a t e d in accord with foundations

of g o d r e l a t i o n s . We all can do something about t h e s e
things, Putting these foundations t o work on t h e job,
day by day, w i l l prevent many problems from detrzloping.

p f e r t o problem s h e e g

3. However, when problems do cane up, we have a &-step

method t o help us handle these problems.

This method w i l l help you g e t b e t t e r r e s u l t s , only if

you USE i t 1

4. p v i e w &-step method including subheads, b r i e f ld

1
t i p s f o r g e t t i n g personal opinions and f e e l i n g s .
Try t o get a s many as possible from group.

How t o g e t opinions and f e e l i n g s

Don t argue.
Encourage individual t o talk
about what i s important t o
him.
Don' t i n t e r r u p t .
Don't jump a t conclusions.
Don't do a l l the t a l k i n g
yourself.
Listen.
 U N I O N JOB I-2ELATIONS SESSION V 89

6, Considering t h e importance of people i n the situation

and knowing what is important t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l person
i s n o t a matter of r i g h t o r wrong o r just o r unjust.
It is simply a common-sense approach t o good stewardship-

This i s one of t h e h a d e s t p a r t s of the s t e w a r d l s job -

it may be thought t o take t o o much time, b u t day-by-day
use o f t h i s s k i l l of d e a l i n g with people w i l l save time
in t h e long run.

The steward who knows h i s people w e l l enough t o b u i l d

them i n t o a smooth operating group i s making h i s impor-
1hr. t a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n t o war production.
or 1hr,
25 min.
t o here E l e a r t h e board2

Allow CLINCH ACCEPTANCE OF THE METROD by showing advantages t o

1 0 min. each steward.

1. What do you think you w i l l g a i n from using t h i s method?

How w i l l i t help you perSonally i n your department?

More confidence i n a b i l i t y t o
b i t h o u t too much7 handle people
insistence, bring B e t t e r standing w i t h those you
out through d i s -
represent
cussion and p l a c e
on board such B e t t e r standing with s u p e r i o r s
o i n t s as: Fewer headaches
Less c r i t i c i s m
Organized p l a n t o follow
90 U N I O N JOB WLATIONS SESSION V

bf necessary, use these c p e s t i o n 2

W i l l t h i s h e l p you t o handle some problems yourself -

i n s t e a d of passing them on t o a s t a f f r e p r e s e n t a t i v e ?

I f you g e t t h e whole s t o r y before you make decisions,

do you t h i n k it w i l l improve r e l a t i o n s h i p s in your
d.epartment?

1 hr.
1Q min. W i l l i t help t o have a r e g u l a r method t o follow? How?
or
1 hr.
35 min.
t o here E l e a r t h e board7

Aliovr DISCUSS S TEPIARD 3 OTHER RELATIOPSHTPS .

1 5 miri,

P h m how he i s l i n k e d t o fellow stewards, t o committeemed

union o f f i c e r s , t o p l a n t rnanzgment. .J

I
re-develop t h e "Steward1s R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s ~ ~
c h a r t from Session I.

L e t ' s go back t o the c h a r t we developed i n IAe f i r s t

session.
 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSION V 91

on board t h e
f o l l o ~ d n gstewardship
I
So f a r we have been
looking a t t h e steward's
r e l a t i o n s w i t h people
whom he r e p r e s e n t s .

Is t h i s t h e o n l y .kind of
r e l a t i o n s h i p s you have?

Vhat o t h e r people i n t h e
p l a n t do you work w i t h ?

r
Ask t h e s e q u e s t i o n s i f necessary:

Vho gives you your i n s t r u c t i o n s ?

Where do your r e p o r t s go?

liihat o t h e r people do you c a l l on f o r h e l p ?

1
Go you work w i t h any management r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s ?
These management r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s work w i t h t h e s e
people too.
92 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION V

-
Add names, boxes, and Job Relations l i n e s .

Each time a Job Relations l i n e i s placed on t h e board,

be s u r e t o touch on t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p
a l s o goes both ways a s i n d i c a t e d by the arrowheads.

Also a s k "Is t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p h p o r t a n t t o the steward?'

and "1s t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p important t o the whole union?I1
The answer i n both cases i s !!Yes . I 1

Then a s k What can he use t o a s s i s t him in maintaining

this s t r o n g relationship?I1 The answer, of course, is
"The foundations and &step method. This should be
-
brought out from t h e group. -
The completed c h a r t w i l l appear l i k e t h i s :

Union

Other P l a n t
1 District
L
Officials O f fi c e

Supervisors
 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS SESSIOi'J V 93

The steward i s i n touch w i t h a l l these people and

departments.

2. We have s a i d t h a t - -
t h e steward g e t s r e s u l t s through people.

EveIything you do a s a steward depends on people.

HOW you g e t along w i t h people is a measure of your

standing.

L'o t h e union o f f i c e r s t h i n k i t ' s an a s s e t f o r a steward

t o have t h e r e p u t a t i o n of working w e l l with p e o p l e ?

With a l l these people it w i l l be a good i d e a t o remember

f i r s t of a l l t h a t t h e y a r e all people and must be
t r e a t e d a s individuals.

&xiwe mst r e a l i z e th2t t h e r e i s a Job R e l a t i o n s l i n e

between t h e steward and a l l these o t h e r people on the
c h a r t - and i f we are t o keep good r e l a t i o n s w i t n them
we must use these foundation p o i n t s .

Before you take any a c t i o n - before you go t o another

union o f f i c e r o r t o a s u p e r v i s o r - you 1 1 1 want t o make
c e r t a i n youlve g o t t h e facLLs.

And be s u r e you have t h e whole s t o r y .

That you "Weigh and decide1' and n o t jump a t conclusions.

That you "Take action1! and not pass the buck.

And you I l l always come t o t h i s f i n a l t e s t when you

ltCheck r e s u l t s I t -
1 hr.
25 n i n . Did you a c t i o n s t r e n g t h e n Union Job Relations
or 1 hr.
5C) min.
t o here E e a v e c h a r t on b o a d 3
pa.

94 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION V

I

Allow CREATE CONVICTION t h a t each w i l l use t h i s s k i l l .

10 rain.

1. Maybe sometimes you wonder whether what you do, does

help t h e union and production.
-

each man how many people he r e p r e s e n t s d i r e c t l y .

Write t h e f i g u r e s on t h e blackboard, b e s i d e t h e c h a r t .
1
I Total -
them p u t t h e f i g u r e i n c e n t e r of c h a r t ABOVE
d
I
-
That many people do influence war production.

-
And what you do, i n f l u e n c e s t h o s e people .

3. Emphasize t h e s t r a t e g i c p o s i t i o n of t h e stewardd
Everyday r e l a t i o n s h i p s count.

- t u r n i n g out war
4:::- YJe a r e a l l worliiiig on t h e same job
+$ production f o r t h e men i n the armed f o r c e s .

3:- :?re a l l have one cus tamer - Uncle San.

1 ilr. ::- One o b j e c t i v e - t o win the war.

35 min.
o r 2 hrs.
t o here ENDXEEE :10 ~LATISII HOY E A X L ~

@ear the board a s members of group a r e l e a v i n g .

1
 UNION JOB RELATIONS SESSION V 95

STANDARI) PROCEDURE

1. Ask steward t o t e l l problem. Head of t a b l e . Does t h i s i n v ~ l v eyou and

somebody whom you r e p r e s e n t ? Have you
taken a c t i o n ? T e l l up t o f i n a l a c t i o n .

2. How problems cone up. Where appropriate, s t r e s s ; you sensed, o r

a n t i c i p a t e d a change.

3. Get objective. Get from steward:

Something t o shoot a t . biay be changed

'mat do you want t o have happen here?
Does t h i s problem a f f e c t the group?
What n e t r e s - ~ l do
t you want a f k r you
have taken a c t i o n ?

Get group agreenent.

4.. Get f a c t s . Steward f i r s t , as he r e c a l l s them offhand.

Review subheads w i t h steward - USE CAIXE.
Get a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s f r o n group - US%
CARDS.

5. Weigh and d e c i l e . F i t F a c t s - Look f o r gaps and contradic-

t i o n s with group.
P o s s i b l e Action:
'$hat f a c t s used? - from steward.
Check p r a c t i c e s and p o l i c i e s with
steward .
Check o b j e c t i v e f i r s t with groilp, then
l a s t with steward.
Check probable e f f e c t on i n d i v i d u a l ,
group, union, production, with
steward.

6. Balance of problem. F a c t s used (from steward).

7. Check Step 3, Subheads - with steward

Why? - How? - Timing?
.
8. Check Step 4. Subheads - steward.
When? - How o f t e n ? - \?hat?

9. C h e c ~objective. Steward .
10. Foundations ( i f a p p l i c a b l e ) . Steward.

(Thank steward and c l e a r board except question and s t e p s . )

NOTES
 Union Job R e l a t i o n s Reference 1

U N I O N J08 I'JLATIONS I N FIELD

The following p o l i c i s s and procedures, vhich a r e concerned c h i e f l y

~ v i t hq u a l i t y c o n t r o l of Union Job R e l a t i o n s , a r e s t a t e d f o r t h e Union Job
R e l a t l o n s Traixer 1 os guidance and i n f ormatlon.

Union Job Xelations i s t o be p u t on e x x t l y a s o u t l i n e d i n the manual.

During t h e f i r s t 10-hour program p u t on by any Union Job Relations

T r a i n e r he i d A . be v i s i t e d b y a n I n s - t i t u t e Conductor o r a Q u a l i t y Con-
t r o l man f o r a t l e a s t one s e s s i o n and ? r e f e r a b l y two.

Each Union Job Relations T r a i n e r may be v i s i t e d i n s e s s i o n s r e g u l a r l y

t h e r e a f t e r once a month.

Xo Unio:l Job Relations T r a i n e r s h a l l remain on t h e a c t i v 2 l i s t u n l e s s

ilc p t s on 2t l e a s t one 10-hour program i n 90 days.

A l l Unioii Job Relations T r a i n e r s a r e expected t o a t t e n d coaching ses-

s i o n s a t thz r e q u e s t of the 'i?Z D i s t r l c t Office.

Union JOD 3 e l a t i o n s s e s s i o n s s h a l l be l i i i t e d t o grou;;;s of 1 0 stewards.

I n o r d e r t o be c e r t i f i e d , p a r t i c i p a n t s must a t t e n d a l l . f i v e sess-ions in
t h e i r l o g i c a l sequence, p a r t i c i p a t e s a t i s f a c t o r i l y , and p r e s e n t a
problem.

For c e r t i f i c a t i m purposes, we - w i l l count the steward who brings an

unsolved problem and, a s i t i s being handled, decides he does not have
a l l t h e f a c t s , thereby s h u t t i n g off f u r t h e r handling of t h e problem,
because t h e r e is evidence t h a t this person does understand the b a s i c
s t e p of Job Relations. It i s , of coui-se, bes-t t o have him p r e s e n t the
r e s t of the f a c t s a t a l a t e r s e s s i o n .
 Union Job Relations Reference 2

TIPS FOR EUINERS

Opening the Sessions

Have conference roon ready and be t h e r e ahead of scheduled t h e - if

you s t a r t on time, t h e group w i l l make an extra-rt
- 7
t o be prompt.

Urge some top union o f f i c e r t o introduce you t o each group. His

appearance and endorsenent o f t h e program i s iinportant.

The 10-hour s e s s i o n s of Union Job iielations a r e held SO t h a t stewards

w i l l . l e a r n and p r a c t i c e t h e f o u r s t e p s and the a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e founda-
t i o n s . These s e s s i o n s a r e n o t f o r t h e purpose of entertaiment o r morale
building. Beware of " i n t e r e s t i n g " s e s s i o n s .

S t a r t a t once and continue t o emphasize t h a t x h a t we are doing i s

g e t t i n g p r a c t i c e in t h e use of t h e method. I n t h i s p r a c t i c e ~ v ea r r i v e a t
possible a c t i o n s b u t t h e y a r e not t o be construed a s d e c i s i o n s . We, i n ana-
lyzing and applying t h e procedure, a r e n o t as close t o t h e problem a s t h e
steward who a c t u a l l y must make t h e d e c i s i o n . We can d e f i n i t e l y o b t a i n
experience i n t h e use of the method by applying the method t o a n o t h e r ' s prob-
l e a . But, generally, any p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s a r r i v e d a t a r e n o t a s r e l i a b l e a s
those t h a t a r e obtained through t h e u s e of t h e lrlethod by the steward who
must a c t u a l l y make t h e d e c i s i o n s .

Avoid .a classrooin atmosphere and 2bove a l l do n o t be an expert. You

a r e n o t r u m i n g a one-man personnel r e l a t i o n s bureau.

Don! t take t o o much t i n e t o give your o-m exyerience and background.

Your purpose i s t o s e t a p a t t e r n f o r t h e menbers t o u s e i n introducing
themselves .
S t r e s s on Method

Remember t o follow and'use the card. See t h a t t h e members of the

group follow and use t h e c a r d i n a l l d i s c u s s i o n s .

Constantly check yourself t o s e e t h a t you a r e n o t l a y i n g t o o m c h

s t r e s s on something which p a r t i c u l a r l y appeals t o you a t t h e expense of
other p o i n t s .
 UNIOTJ JCIB RECATIONS REFERENCE 2 99

Show your enthusiasm f o r t h i s program. Enthusiasm is c o n t a g i o u s .

~f ter s e v e r a l groups, Union Job R e l a t i o n s may ,become an o l d s t o r y t o you.
Remember you a r e s e t t i n g t h e s t a n d a r d f o r t h e group. The progr.m can be no
b e t t e r than the t r a i n e r . Continue t o be thorough a t a l l times. A s l o p p y
job by a t r a i n e r u s u a l l y does more harm t h a n good.

Bring o u t t o t h e group t h e r e a s o n s f o r throwing: t h e problems a g a i n s t

t h e p l a n - t o g i v e them p r a c t i c e i n u s i n g it. We a r e t r y i n g t o a c q u i r e a
s k i l l . Your job d u r i n g t h e t e n hours i s t o s e l l t h e p l a n t o a l l t e n stewards
and g i v e them b a s i c t r a i n i n g i n its use.

Don't j u s t r e a d from t h e manual - t a l k informally w i t h f e e l i n g and

e x p r e s s i o n . Make it l i v e ! D o n ' t l e c t u r e o r preach. .

Working w i t h t h e Group

Don't d i r e c t your remarks and ques-LLons t o a f a v o r e d few - get all

members t o p a r t i c i p a t e .

P r a c t i c e good r e l a t i o n s w i t h your groups. D o n ' t argue - winning a n

argument may n o t convince t h e o t h e r f e l l o w .

Donf t t r y t o i m i t a t e t h e p e r s o n a l j - t y of your I n s t i t u t e Conductor.

P u t your own p e r s o n a l i t y i n t o your perfomilmce, b u t s t i c k t o t h e i d e a s and
t h o u g h t s o u t l i n e d i n t h e manual.

Don' t p u t y o u r s e l f on a p e d e s t a l above t h e g r m p . Be one o f ther:~.

Y o u w i l l e a r n t h e i r r e s p e c t i f you do a good job p u t t i n g on t h e s e s s i o n s a s
o u t l i n e d i n the manual.

Be a l e r t when a member g i v e s you an answer even when you a r e doing

omething e l s e . Remember it and come back t o him. Be c o n s t a n t l y on t h e
watch f o r c o n t r l b u t i o n s from indiv'lduals i n t h e group. Alloi.~them t o e x p r e s s
t h e i r views and d o n ' t try t o r e a r r a n g e o r d i s t o r t t h e i r c o n t r l b u t i o n s t o
s u i t some thought o r i d e a you have i n mind.

Be c o n s t a n t l y on the l o o k o u t f o r background m a t e r i a l c o n t r i b u t e d by
t h e group with r e f e r e n c e t o t h e f o u n d a t i o n s . If n e c e s s a r y , a s k members if
t h e y horn of any i n s t a n c e s where t h e f o u n d a t i o n s , i f a p ? l i e d , would have
prevented a problem from a r i s i n g .
I n an o f f i c e group, p a r t i c u l a r l y , s t e w a r d s should be t o l d t h a t t h e y
do n o t need t o t a k e n o t e s and t h e y s h o 7 d d be s p e c i f i c a l l y d i r e c t s d n o t t o
take n o t e s on o t h e r s t e w a r d s 1 problems. -
100 UNION JOB RELATIONS REFERENCE 2

Handling Stewards 1 Problems

Reference 3 , ItStandard Procedure f o r Handling a Steward' s Problem, l1

i s the f i n a l authority. (For the convenience of the t r a i n e r , a condensed
form a?pears a t the end of each s e s s i o n . ) The s t e p s i n the procedure a r e
t o be followed e x a c t l y . They are designed t o give t h e i n d i v i d u a l steward
more ~ r a c t r i c e . Be s u r e t o g e t recognition of haw t h e problem came up and
the importance of preveiitive a c t i o n . It i s important t o e s t a b l i s h a r e a l
o b j e c t i m - s e e t h a t t h e steward does n o t look j u s t a t t h e handling of the
problem, b u t a t t h e o v e r a l l e f f e c t o r r e s u l t s he wishes.

-
Avoid constant u s e of t h e same ob j e c t l v e s r e p e a t e d l y i n a l l stewardsl
problems. Vary them and make appropriate t o t h e problem. Help t h e steward
reason o u t h i s o b j e c t i v e b u t d o n ' t d.ominate h i s thinking.

Make Y ? a ~ t 'statements
~ s n o r t and t o t h e p o i n t .

Remember t h a t a l l check-points i n S t e p 2 a r e t o be used. ?"ne abjec-

t i v e , because it i s used f i r s t , i s no more important than the. r e s t of t h e
points.

When soneone suggests a broad p o s s i b i j a c t i o n l i k e Itget him i n t e r -

ested" ask a 'lhorrl' q u e s t i o n i n o r d e r t o b r i n g t h e p o s s i b l e a c t i o n down t o
something more s p e c i f i c . Otherwise p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s a r e ambiguous when we
t e s t against the objective .
I f a steward claims he d o e s n ' t make d e c i s i o n s , p o i n t o u t t h a t a
recomnendation i s a d e c i s i o n . I T a steward has a record of making good
r?cormendations, then an;r t h a t he makes a r e a p t t o be considered s e r i o u s l y
by h i s s u p e r i o r s .

Don't l e t t h e group give you j u s t any p o s s i b l e act?on. Tie want r e a l

thinking here. Use "l:111at would you do based on these f a c t s i f t n i s problem
were dumped i n t o your l a p ? "

Be sure t h e members of the qroilp understand t h a t they a r e not being

l e d t o a d e c i s i o n . Decisions cnmo-t bz nade i n a conference room. ','ie a=
never s u r e we have a- l l t h e f a c t s and we do n o t h o x t h e i n d i v i d u a l s concerned.

Agaia, the f a c t t h a t nothing i s done i s o f t e n a decision. When a prob-

lem a r i s e s t'ne steward sometimes decides n o t t o t a k e any a c t i o n o r t h a t he
should r e p o r t the m a t t e r t o h i s s u p e r i o r s . The f a c t t h a t he decided t o do
nothing himself nay be an important decision.
 U N I O N JOB RELATIOILS REFERENCE 2 101

Don't i n d i c a t e by your words o r a c t i o n s which p o s s i b l e a c t i o n you

t h i n k should be used. A t r a i n e r ' s f u n c t i o n i s t o guide t h e thinking of t h e
steward and t h e group through our various s t e p s . Te a r e n o t ruaking a deci-
s i o n f o r t h e stewzrd, b u t d r i l l i n g on a method which each stewsrd can use
t o a r r i v e a t h i s own d e c i s i o n on what a c t i o n he should take. The steward
should know t h e probable e f f e c t of any a c t i o n on h i s o b j e c t i v e , the i n d i -
vidual, the group, t h e unlon, and production, b e t t e r than t h e t r a i n e r o r any
o t h e r member o f t h e group.

Neither you nor the group i s l k o l v i n g l l the s t e w a r d l s problem. \ e are

developing our s k i l l i n using t h e foundations and t h e 4-step method. This
i s t h e t o o l t h a t the steward can use t o s o l v e h i s own problems.

Don' t e x p e r t (express personal oprinioris ) by s a y i n g , "I t h k k . Ques-

t i o n s tempting you t o expert should be r e d i r e c t e d t o t h e members of t h e
group. A good t r a i n e r g e t s t h e group t o do most of the t h i n k h g according
t o the p a t t e r n s e t by the manual. Job Relations is designed t o g e t stew-
ards t o t h i n k and reason according t o a p a t t e r n as a b a s i s f o r sound a c t i o n s
o r a s an a i d t o sound a c t i o n .

Blackboard Work

Don 1 t o b s t r u c t the view of t h e blackboard when d i s c u s s ir,g blackboard

Work .
Keep these t h r e e t h i n g s i n d n d when a t the board:

1. !'kite l e g i b l y .
2. Stand a t t h e s i d e of your work as nuch 2s possible.
3. Talk while w r i t i n g .

phrasicg .
Do not chanze steward's own vmrcis unless necessary t o avoid highbrow
However, fa:: ts siloi:ld be b r i e f e d or, t h e board. Try whenever pos-
s i b l e t o get, t h e sense 2nd t h e :;-iean:'Ln~of the facts i n from t h r e e t o f i v e
-r:crc?s. Then check t o IX!.:~ s u r e of mszi?i:1:<, out. avoid highbrow phrasing. I f
sonleone giv-es AS A FACT lle!mt.i.onzl irs!.abilit;i" 21." s o c i a l mal-adjustment"
rrdce i t s p e c i f i c . The f a c t s - not tilei.r i::terpretation - a r e t o be p u t on
the board. Ask t h e steward t o tell ;cu what ir,st,ances make hirr, s a y t h a t ,
2nd p u t on t h e borrrci some specfif i c tiil.r:g l i k e Ithad h y s t e r i c s i c o f f i c e . I'

Make a l l blackboar6 work n e a t and reada-ble. Talk o r ask questions

while a t t h e blackboard i n o r d e r t o hold the g r c u p l s a t t e n t i c n .
102 UNION JOB RELATIONS REFERENCE 2

Describing P r a c t i c e
I n t h e l a s t f i f t e e n minutes of Session I spend some time e n l a r g i n g on
the procedure t h a t w i l l be f ollovred in handling problems; eAxplain t h a t each
steward w i l l come t o t h e head of the t a b l e and simply s t a t e t h e f a c t s of t h e
case. The t r a i n e r w i l l p l a c e them on t h e board and t h e group w i l l g e t expe-
rience in using t h e 4-step method. Emphasize t h a t no comments o r c r i t i c i s m
w i l l be made. It i s important t h a t t h e stewards r e a l i z e t h a t t h e y w i l l n o t
be c r i t i c i z e d .

Emphasize a t t h e end of Sessions 11, 111, and I V t h a t t o receive a

c e r t i f i c a t e each steward must p r e s e n t a problem. Now t h a t t h e y know what
the problems a c t u a l l y a r e , the r e g u l a t i o n s about c e r t i f i c a t i o n mean some-
thing.

If people p r e s e n t prabiems which do not involve t h e d i r e c t r e l a t i o n -

s h i p with someone represented, t h e o b j e c t i v e i s a p t t o t u r n o u t t o be of t h e
" e i t h e r o r f r o r "whether o r not" v a r i e t y . The method a p p l i e s i n h o r i z o n t a l
r e l a t i o n s h i p s , b u t f o r group p r a c t i c e we want t o have a r e a l o b j e c t i v e t o
shoot a t and t h e r e f o r e we want d i r e c t r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

I f stewards s a y t h e y have no problems and if t h e y r e a l l y a r e s tewai-ds ,

ask then whether t h e y have been doing some preventive work t o keep problems
from a r i s i n g . This i s p a r t i c u l a r l y u s e f u l during Session I V when the
T r a i n e r ' s problem has i l l u s t r a t e d how a steward used both the foundations
and the 4-step method t o keep department conditions smooth and prevefit prob-
lems from a r i s i n g .

The Kanual

A typographical code has been used t o sholv whether m a t e r i a l i s :

t o be quoted
t o be p r e s e n t e d in t r a i n e r r s ovm words
t o be p u t on t h e board
a d i r e c t i o n t o the Trainer

This code immediately precedes Session I (p. 1 2 ) .

Follov; t h e suggested timing f o r each s e c t i o n . Experience has shown

t h a t the t h e i n d i c a t e d i s needed t o g e t the p o i n t over. I f a p a r t i c u l a r
s e c t i o n takes l o n g e r o r s h o r t e r time than i s i n d i c a t e d in t h e manual, t h e n
the t h i n g gives you sone i d e a a s t o how much you Ezre ahead o r behind.
S t a r t each s e s s i o n on time and c l o s e on time.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS PLEFERENCE 2 103

A f t e r each s e s s i o n you conduct, go over the manual and t h e problen

handling t o check yourself on omissions o r f a i l u r e s t o g e t a p a r t i c u l a r
p o i n t over t o the group. Keep s t u d y i n g your manual i n c l u d i n g t h e references.
The I n s t i t u t e only gave you a s t a r t , F a m i l i a r i t y w i t h t h e content of t h e
manual w i l l improve your confidence and e f f e c t i v e n e s s a s 2 t r a i n e r . ~f you
a r e n o t s u r e of your i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of any s e c t i o n of t h e manual, check with
t h e Job Relations men i n the Tm D i s t r i c t Office.

Be very c a r e f u l t h a t any remarks you make supplementing t h e manual

p e r t a i n t o a p a r t i c u l a r paragraph i n t h e manual. I n o t h e r words, thoroughly
a n d y z e each paragraph o r sentence, being s u r e you k n o ~ what the meaning i s .
It i s a common f a u l t f o r t r a i n e r s , in t r y i n g t o supplement t h e manual, t o be
s i d e t r a c k e d and then have d i f f i c u l t y i n g e t t i n g back on t h e beam.

g manual" does n o t mean s i t t i x g down and reading it.

~ F o l l o v ~the
Learn i t - then check yourself, c o n s t a n t l y . When t h e r e i s board work t o do,
--
push your c h a i r under the t a b l e and s t a y on your f e e t . Lean on the back of
your c h a i r t o look a t t h e manual b u t do n o t go back t o your s e a t during the
c h a r t work i n Sessions I and V o r during the blackboard work on a problea.

- Follow your manual, Omissions, over-emphasis , o r f o r e i g n m a t e r i a l

-
----
may l e a d you i n t o t r o u b l e . ----- -
Do n o t mark up the manual. Follow i t e x a c t l y .
 Union Job R e l a t i o n s Reference 3

STAITDARD PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING

'
A S TEViARD S PROBLEE

1. Ask steward t o come t o head of t a b l e and s t j a y t h e r e u n t i l t h e problem

h a n d l i n g i s completed.

Ask steward - I1Does t h i s problem involve you and somebody you

represent?I1

(Under no circumstances p e r m i t stevzird t o u s e h y p o t h e t i c a l prob-

lem o r one i n which he was n o t involved as a s t e w a r d . )

Say - "Have you taken a c t i o n on your problem?Il

If t h e answer i s "Yes," have him t e l l h i s problem up t o b u t n o t

including f i n a l action.

To keep him frm t e l l i n g what f i n a l a c t i o n aas, make a simple

s t a t e m e n t a s t o t h e r e a s o n f o r stopping. The purpose i s t o g e t
tlet-kr group p a r t i c i p a t i o n - y e t t o give t h e steward t h e f u l l
b e n e f i t o f h i s pl-actice problem. Inform t h e steward t h a t he is
t o t e l l t h e group about t h e i n c i d e n t o r s i t u a t i o n t h a t made bin
r e a l i z e he had a problem on which he had t o t a k e a c t i o n , p l u s any
f a c t - g e t t i f i g s t e p s he then went through, but, t o s t o p b e f o r e he
g i v e s any i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e f a c t s o r mentions any d e c i s i o n s
or actions.

Under no c i r c ~ u n s t a n c e s , i n t e r r u p t t h e man, even t o keep him from

t e l l i n g t h e f i n a l a c t i o n . I f he g e n e ~ a l i z e ,s l e t him alone
( u n l e s s t h e problem i s very l o n g ) b u t r h e n he f i n i s h e s make some
such remark a s "you s a y t h i s i s always happening - l e t 1s t a k e j u s t
one i n s t a n c e . " I n problems i n v o l v i n g l a r g e numbers of people t r y
t o reduce t h e probl-em t o what involves o n l y one person.

2. A f t e r he t e l l s h i s probl-ern, a s k t h e steward i n which one of t h e f o u r

ways t h i s problem came t o h i s a t t e n t i o n ( o r comment on i t , y o u r s e l f ) .

a. You sensed a change i n your department.

( I : Found changed r e l a t i o n o r b r e a k i n u s u a l s e t - u p . )
 U N I O N JOB RELATIONS P,EFERENCE 3 105

b. You a n t i c i p a t e a change i n your department.

(EXAMPLE: You know a change i s coming and want t o prepare

for i t . )

c. This one came t o you.

(EXAMPLE: An i n d i v i d u a l made a r e q u e s t o r p r o t e s t e d . )

d. You r a n i n t o t h i s one.

(EXAMPLE : It j u s t happened. )

The examples s t a t e d under a , b, c, d above a m t o be used o n l y a s

necessary. Should t h e s t e r r a d qFesTion what i s meant, t h e purpose
of bringing o u t how problerk a r i s e i s t o make stewards more aware of
t h e preventive work t h a t may be done p a r t i c u l a r l y a s r e g a r d s -
a and -
b.

S S S a and b a t every opportunity, p o i n t i n g o u t t h a t t h e y a r e in

the a r e a s . To vary t h i s procedure a f t e r handling s e v e r a l
stewards' problems, you might a s k any one of t h e group f o r t h e f o u r
ways t h a t problems a r i s e .

3. Ask steward: -
Just what a r e you t r y i n g t o a c ~ o m p l i s h ? ~ ~

(Do not e r a s e t h i s question when c l e a r i n g the board a t t h e con-

clusion of t h e f i r s t problem. It w i l l speed up your work i f you
do not have t o r e w r i t e i t . )

The o b j e c t i v e i s something t o shoot a t . It may be d i f f i c u l t t o

determine. It may have t o be changed i n the course of handling t h e
problem,

Help the steward t o s t a t e h i s o b j e c t i v e - b u t do n o t f o r c e him t o

accept someone e l s e ' s statement. Question the o b j e c t i v e i f it seems
short-sighted o r mistaken.

Use of the following questions w i l l be h e l p f u l :

What makes t h i s a problem?

What do you want t o have happen here?
What e f f e c t is t h i s having on production? On the union?
Are any o t h e r people in t h e d e p a r t n e n t concerned?
What r e s u l t s do you want t o g e t o u t of t h i s ?
-
106 UNIOX JOB RELATIONS REFERENCE 3

I f t h e steward gives as h i s o b j e c t i v e one t h a t appears t o be inade-

quate, such as " t o g e t t h e o l d hand off h i s neck," h e l p him t o g e t
a long-range view by asking "whyH i n order t o g e t him t o see t h a t
t h e accomplishment he wants in the end i s " t o e l i m i n a t e trouble i n
t h e group."

Get agreemect from group t h a t steward has chosen e x a c t l y what he i s

t r y i ~ gt o accomplish. The follo-nsing questions may be h e l p f u l :

Do you s e e e x a c t l y what he- i s aiming a t ?

Do you lfgettf t h e o b j e c t i v e ?

Would you have t h e same one?

!%at would you have i n mind?

Do n o t w r i t e t h e o b j e c t i v e given by the group on t h e board unless t h e

steward i s i n agreement. The purpose of asking t h e o t h e r stewards
t o p a r t i c i p a t e i s t o g e t t h e i r thinking and g i v e t h e steward t e l l i n g
the problem the b e n e f i t of t h e i r thoughts.

4. Ask steward f o r important f a c t s and l i s t them on t h e board a s given

by him. Do not number the f a c t s . (Your board work should be b r i e f
b u t accurate. Write h i s statements i n t h r e e o r f o u r words. )

Do n o t l e t t h i s board work DRAG. Help t h e steward r e c a l l f a c t s he

has a l r e a d y mentioned. P u t t i n g d a m t h e f a c t s is n o t a menoq- exer-
c i s e . Suggest them. However, he i s the r e f e r e e - do n o t change o r
interpret his facts.

Say - Let us look a t o u r cards.

Make s u r e t h a t everybody i n the group is looking a t h i s c a d before

proceeding. D i r e c t t h e questions a t steward.

Ask - Xave we reviewed the record and do we have t h o s e f a c t s on

t h e board? Do n o t l e t t h i s go on a flyestfo r "noff answer.
Go through each subhead i n t h e same manner. Find o u t what f a c t s
were obtained by t a l k i n g w i t h Che i n d i v i d u a l t o g e t o p i n i ~ n sand
f e e l i n g s . Show them on the board. Apply t h e "Tips f o r g e t t i n g
opinions and f e e l i n g s " if appropriate. Ask why t h e worker d i d
what he did.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS REXERENCE 3 107

This procedure may help g e t a d d i t i o n a l important f a c t s and may pre-

clude " t a l k with him" as a p o s s i b l e a c t i o n i n Step 2. Put additional
f a c t s , supplj-ed i n answer t o group's questions, on board. Do not
s e p a r a t e them from the p r e v i o u s l y l i s t e d f a c t s by a d o t t e d line or
space.

~ s the
k steward: Are t h e s e a l l the f a c t s needed f o r a decision?

If the steward who i s p r e s e n t i n g t h e problem says he does n o t have

a l l t h e f a c t s and i f he has not y e t taken a c t i o n , the s t e p s t h a t w i l l
be taken t o g e t more f a c t s may be discussed. They w i l l n o t be p u t on
t h e board and t h e r e w i l l be no d i s c u s s i o n of p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s o r any
o t h e r p a r t of S t e p 2.

I f the steward who i s p r e s e n t i n g t h e problem says he has a l r e a d y

taken a c t i o n , and during the d i s c u s s i o n says t h a t he d i d n o t have
a l l t h e f a c t s , handling of t h e problem continues.

Ask the steward: Do you want the group t o p i t c h in now?

Ask group: Do you want t o a s k t h e steward any questions about

t h i s problem?

Ask group: -----

I f you were i n t h e p o s i t i o n --
of t h i s steward, mould -
-- -
you want any a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s ?

If f a c t s t h a t seem t r i v i a l a r e suggested, you may want t o ask t h e

steward -

Is t h a t f a c t important i n h e l p i n g us t o come t o a d e c i s i o n in
t h l s problen?

By doing t h i s , many times the steward w i l l wash o u t i r r e l e v a n t f a c t s .

A t t h i s time you can a s p a r t of t h e group a s k questions about t h e
2roblem b u t do n o t do this i f group i s working r e a d i l y on t h e s e p o i n t s .

A l l of the f o l l o x i n g i n f o m a t i o n w i l l probably n o t be needed i n any

one problem b u t the Trainer may need t o ask t h e f o l l m i n g "smoke-out
questions'' in t h e vein of - do you need t o h o w --,would it make any
d i f f e r e n c e if --?

Employee ' s job - j u s t what he does

Time on p r e s e n t job and l e n g t h of s e r v i c e with company

Work and t r a i n i n g background before coning wlth conpany

Present working e nvironiient

108 UNION JOB TGLATIOIE :?EFERENCE 3

lflork record: production, q u a l i t y , housekeeping, absence, e t c .

??kit( i f any) r e c e n t changes have been made in t h e working con-
d i t i o n s of the department ~ i h i c hnay a f f z c t the problem?

?;hat i s the working r e l a t i o n s h i p between employee and foreman,

from t h e errrployeets p o i n t of view?

Job r a t i n g of elrrployee - how i s he g e t t i n g along?

Wage r a t e of employee - any r e c e n t change?

Nhat ( i f any) union and conpany p o l i c i e s a r e involved?

Personal d a t a concerning t h e employee

( a > Ace
(b) M a r i t a l s t a t u s and home l i f e
( c ) Outside a c t i v r i t i e s : hobbies, s o c i a l l i f e , e t c .

P e r s o n a l i t y , temperament, a t t i t u d e of employee

That persons o t h e r t h a n emgloyees are involved?

That intermediate a c t i o n ( i f any) has been taken i n t h e problen?

(This does n o t r e f e r t o a f i n a l s o l ~ t i o n ).

I f a member of a group says, "But sappose i t had been t h i s way'' -

remind them t h a t we d e a l only with f a c t s . The T r a i n e r must 5e par-
t i c u l a r l y c a r e f u l n o t t o s a y H T J e t lassul-newo r H S u p ~ o s ie t had been.''

Then ask - Are we reasonably s u r e we have the whole s t o r y ?

I f any member of t h e group says t n a t he does n o t t h i n k t h e r e a r e

enough f a c t s , it i s appropriate t o ask h2m what p a r t of t h e card
brings him t o t h a 3 c o n c l u s i m . The Trainer may summarize by saying,
"Then, i f you were i n " s h e s t e ~ a > 3 ~shoes,
s you would f e e l you d i d
not have t h e whole s t o q 2nd you -:rould not be ready t o decide on
your a c t i o n u n t i l you hzd more factc;.I r This a p 2 l i e s whcther the
steward presenting t h e rsroblern has t,cike:l actton o r not.

5. Say - L e t t s take a look 2 t the second s t q , 'Jeigh ana j e c l d e . lfl/rite

on board - 'YEIGII Ah3 DSCI3E. I-iere i s ?:{he= we thFnlr ahcut t h e s e
facts.
 UNION JOB RELATIONS Rl3FERENCE 3 109

Quotc the c a r d -
The card says f i t t h e f a c t s together.

I n f i t t i n g the f a c t s t o g e t h e r , l e t us see f i r s t if t h e r e a r e any

c o n t r a d i c t i o n s ; second, i f t h e r e a r e any gaps t h a t c a l l f o r
a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s . Discuss these p o i n t s .

Consider t h e i r bearing on each o t h e r . Do n o t make this e i t n e r a

statament o r a ltyestt o r "no" question. This i s ? a r t of .the
method.

Do the f a c t s i n d i c a t e some p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s ?

A f t e r t h i s , a g a i n quote t h e c a r d -
That p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s a r e t h e r e ? Write on board, under Weigh
and Decide - p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s .
-
Explain t h a t you a r e asking t h e group t o suggest "poss'ible a c t i o n s M
i n order t o :

g e t p r a c t i c e in weighing and deciding

show t h a t t h e r e u s u a l l y a r e s e v e r a l l l p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s

you a r e -n o t t r y i n g t o make t h e d e c i s i o n f o r t h e steward, o r c r i t i -

c i z e what he has a l r e a d y done.

S-zlect one member or" the group 2nd. ask:

had t h i s problem?
-
Tihat would you do if you -
Ask hi31 what f a c t s he used. Do n o t l e t them be r e f e r r e d t o a s
t h e " f i r s t and tnirdIt - name then. These a r e t h e f a c t s which
b e a r on each o'iher and ~ h i c hproduced t h e t l p o s s i b l e a c t i o n . "
I

Ask t h e ste-t~ardwhether t h e a c t i o n i s p o s s i b l e w i t h i n h i s union's

p o l i c l e s and p a c t i c e s . If he says yes, w r l t e t h e "possible
a c t i o n f f on the board.

Repeat with t w o more s teivards i n the group.

A steward who p o l n - k o u t i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n of Step 1 t h a t he b e l i e v e s

a l l the f a c t s have n o t been obtained should n o t be ask5d f o r a possible
a c t ion.
110 UNION JOB RELATIONS REFERENCE 3 +

If anyone gives a s a p o s s i b l e a c t l o n such suggestions a s Ifget t h e

f a c t s 1 ! o r " f i n d o u t why" i t i s handled by saying, "You mean you would
want t o g e t more f a c t s b e f o r e you decided on what you would do t c
handle t h i s problem. Any steward must f e e l p e r s o n a l l y s u r e t h a t h e
has the f a c t s b e f o r e he considers a c t i o n - t h a t i s t h e meat of t h i s
Job Relations program. But a t t h i s p o i n t we w i l l l e t t h e stewards
-
who f e e l t h e r e a r e enough f a c t s , suggest the a c t i o n s t h e y would con-
sider. When such a p o s s i b l e a c t i o n a s "Talk With the worker" is
suggested, c l a r i f y the meaning. If it i s Itto f i n d out, " then i t i s
n o t a p o s s i b l e a c t i o n . If i t i s " t o persuade him, l1 re-phrase i t before
w r i t i n g on t h e board. Get agreement t o w r i t e it as I1reason,l1 Ifcon-
vince,I1 o r "persuade" and ask how he would do it t o make i t s p e c i f i c .

I f a d d i t i o n a l f a c t s a r e brought out a t any time, w r i t e them on t h e

board. A f t e r t h e r e a r e t h r e e o r f o u r "possible a c t i o n s " on t h e
board, check t h e f i r s t one by:

Aslcing he group whether t h i s w i l l accomplish t h e o b j e c t i v e of -

Asking t h e steward about t h e objective , b r i e f l y - yes o r no

Asking t h e stemard about the probable e f f e c t on:

the individual
t h e group
t h e union
production

Do n o t cross off p o s s i b l e a c t i o n s even i f t h e d i s c u s s i o n proves them

unwise. Crossing off may h d i c a t e t o some t h e making of a d e c i s i o n
by vote.

Remind t h e group t h a t s k i l l i n weighing and deciding can be

l e a r n e d through p r a c t i c e . You become f a m i l i a r w i t h a r e a s t o
explore, and what t o be on the lookout f o r ( b u t d o n ' t jump a t
conclusions ) .
I f , in the d i s c u s s i o n , t h e r e is some such s taternent made as I I A l l
t h e s e people coming from farms ( o r from s t o r e s , o r a l l women, o r
any o t h e r g e n e r a l i z a t i o n ) a r e no good,I1 o r I 1 A l l the fellows about
t o be c a l l e d i n t h e d r a f t a r e hard t o handle , I 1 t h e Trainer .mst
n o t l e t i t stand. Point o u t t h a t i n d i v i d u a l s a r e d i f f e r e n t , and
t h a t you can make a bad d e c i s i o n if you jump a t conclusions about
what t h e y a r e l i k e .
 UNION J03 FELATIONS REFERENCE 3 111

Have the steward s t a t e balance of h i s problem i f a c t i o n has been

taken. Write it on the board. Make no comment on t h e act.ion taken.
Ask steward what f a c t s he used i n s e l e c t i n g t h i s a c t i o n . I f a c t i o n
has n o t been taken, proceed t o St,eps 3 and 4, Your l e a d - i n can be,
When you take a c t i o n on t h i s problem, a r e you going t o handle t h i s
yourself, e t c . --."
Check subheads under Step 3 with steward. Ask - WhyH and llHowll a f t e r
subheads, when per-tinent. Get b r i e f group d i s c u s s i o n on timing the -
i n t e r v a l between reaching a d e c i s i o n and taking a c t i o n , Ask group i n
e m r y problem - !'Let us look a t our cards .,"
Now s tewai-ds a r e of t e n concerned about being "by-passed 'I Remind .
them that, t h e y a r e by-passed when they f a i l t o s i z e up s i t u a t i o n s
e f f e c t i v e l y i n order t o t a k e t h e r i g h t a c t i o n - t h e a c t i o n t h a t
solves a ?roblen!.

Some stewards f e e l they have no r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i n connection with

people whorn t h e y r e p r e s e n t because t h e union headquarters takes care
of dues and a s p e c i a l committee handles grievances. But i n a l l prob-
lems, the man c l o s e s t t o the i n d i v i d u a l member does have a r e l a t i o n -
s h i p with t h a t person - he must make it good in o r d e r t o g e t t h e most
out of production. It w i l l s t r e n g t h e n h i s l e a d e r s h i p when he does.
:"iith nea- stewards, p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e r e w i l l be many r e q u e s t s f o r help
on IVJhat do I do when he says he won't do what I ask him t o , 01- e l s e
shows t h a t he d o e s n ' t want to?" Handle t h i s i l terms of t h e p a r t i c -
u l a r person involved. There a r e n ' t any g e n e r a l r u l e s , and t h e steward
has t o s t o p looking f o r them. This i s a r e a l s i t u a t i o n , and the only
help anyone e l s e car, give h i m i s t o t e l l him t o look a t t h e whole
s i t u a t i o n - the p e r s c m involved, including h i m e l f , t h e e f f e c t on the
o t h e r people - t r y i t and s e e how it works.

I f a steward asks: I1'IVhat do you think of what I d i d ? " it w i l l be

h e l p f u l t o say, Ve11, l e t ' s take a look a t what you were t r y i n g t o
accomplish. What were t h e r e s ~ l t s ? ~ ~

Do n o t l o s e any chances t o emphasize t o stewards i n your group t h a t

i t i s a d e f i n i t e p a r t of the stewardts job t o r e a l i z e just e x a c t l y
how f a r h i s own r e s p o n s i b i l i t y and a b i l i t y extend i n t h e handling of
job r e l a t i o n s problems.

Remind stewards t o always a s k themselves: "1s t h i s something I

should handle myself? Do I need help? Is t h i s something I must
pass on?''
112 UNIGN JOB RELATIONS REFERENCE 3

Some c a s e s will be brought i n which involve people heading toward

being f i r e d . And sometimes t h a t i s t h e answer. Look a t t h e e f f e c t
on o t h e r people.

1s t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of the person more than t h e t r o u b l e he causes?

I n t h e s e days, we must keep everyone vie can, i f he i s u s e f u l , but
t h e r e a r e s t i l l some people who have t n be f i r e d .

Check subheads under S t e p 4 w i t h steward. Use "when, It Ithow often,"

and %hatv a f t e r subheads when p e r t i n e n t .

Asli how t h e steward can check r e s u l t s , and what he w i l l look f o r .

Have t h e steward check wQether o r not o b j e c t i v e s were accomplished

o r whether they may be accomplished if problem has n o t reached f i n a l
action. Let him t e l l

Say - t t L e t t s look a t t h e o t h e r s i d e of our card." (Make s u r e t h a t

t h e y a r e looking a t the cards.) Use the foundations i n preventive
sense. Ask steward - "Do any of our foundations f o r good r e l a t i o n s
apply in t h i s problem?" "Could the use ,of any foundations have pre-
vented t h i s problem?" Consider: ttPeople must be t r e a t e d a s
individuals .
I f you a r e convinced t h a t nothing on the foundation s i d e a p p l i e s ,
omit t h i s s t e p .

Thank steward f o r c o n t r i b u t i n g problem. (Do not comment o r pass

judgment on a c t i o n s o r r e s u l t s . )
 Union Job R e l a t i o n s Reference 4

A PVAY OF LOOKING AT THE S TEJVARD '3 JOB

I n working with stewards it i s important t o remember t h a t t h e i r chief

importance i s a s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . J u s t a s the s u p e r v i s o r r e p r e s e n t s manage-
ment, t h e steward r e p r e s e n t s and a c t s f o r union members.

For the most p a r t t h e l i n e and s t a f f o r g a n i z a t i o n s of management and

of l a b o r a1-e p a r a l l e l , and many of the personnel p r o b l e m encountered by
management r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a r e a l s o faced by union o f f i c e r s a t correspond-
ing l e v e l s .

A production department seldom runs along smoothly without i n t e r r u p -

t i o n . About t h e time a group i s working t o g e t h e r smoothly changes u s u a l l y
occur. Whether these changes a r e i n t h e form of expanding schedules,
improvements i n methods, s h i f t s i n o r g a n i z a t i o n , o r new employees, t h e y
always c r e a t e p r o b l e m .

Stewards need t o know n o t o n l y the c o n t r a c t and t h e procedures of

t h e i r union, b u t the i n d i v i d u a l members as w e l l . Expert knowledge of union
r e g u l a t i o n s i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t t o make a good steward. The steward needs t o
~ i v ea t t e n t i o n t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of each i n d i v i d u a l f o r no
0

two of them have e x a c t l y t h e same experience, a b i l i t i e s , and d e s i r e s .

The steward w i l l not always f i n d it p o s s i b l e t o apply t h e s e p a r t i c -

u l a r p r a c t i c e s t o h i s o m s i t u a t i o n , s i n c e t h e y were used i n d i f f e r e n t s i t u -
ations. But i f he w i l l look f o r t h e g e n e r a l i d e a s which t h e o t h e r f e l l o w s '
p r a c t i c e s i l l u s t r a t e , he w i l l f i n d t h a t t h e y can be a p p l i e d t o h i s problems
too. These i d e a s have been derived from t h e experience of men in t h e shop.

It must b e remembered t h a t t o the worker a job means more t h a n j u s t

a pay check every week o r doing mechanical o p e r a t i o n s over and over between
in-and-out w h i s t l e s . It means t h a t he i s p a r t of an o r g a n i z a t i o n , wherein
he has a p a r t i c u l a r place. It means t h a t he i s a human being who wonders
what kind of people h i s fellow-workers a r e , what t h e y a r e going t o expect
of him, h ~ wne should approach h i s steward, e t c . Representing a union mem-
b e r includes helping t h e worker t o a d j u s t himself t o h i s surroundings, giv-
ing him an i d e a of the union of which he i s p a r t , and the p a r t i c u l a r p l a c e
he i s t o f i l l i n it.

This i s t h e p o i n t of view from which we approach t h e s e f i v e

sessions.
lI-4 UNION JOB RELATIONS REFERENCE 4

The steward f a c i n g hour by hour the d i f f i c u l t i e s of enforcing a con-

t r a c t may e a s i l y overlook t h e d i f f i c u l t i e s of his workers. I t i s n a t u r a l

i
f o r him t o think most of r e s u l t s and t o spend l i t t l e time on people. Yet
t h e r e a r e conditions i n each department which prevent t h e development of
wholesome a t ti tudes toward a s s o c i a t e s and t h e union.

New stewards can look back and remember a few t h i n g s - what d i f f i -

c u l t i e s d i d you run i n t o ? Try t o look a t the departanent s i t u a t i o n through
t h e o p e r a t o r t s eyes.

Look a t t h e men - t h e i r minds, muscles, f e e l i n g s , and a t t i t u d e s .

Observe them and t a l k w i t h them. Notice what they do. Attempt t o =alyze
t h e i r a c t i o n s . L i s t e n t o t h e i r comments and encourage them t o t a l k because
t h e more c l e a r l y you know each operator a s a person, t h e b e t t e r you can
r e p r e s e n t him.
i
I

Hindrances t o Understanding Men

Understanding people i s not a simple process. The steward who says,

"1 can s i z e up a man a s soon a s I meet him," i s u s u a l l y f o o l i n g himself.
It w i l l be h e l p f u l t o n o t i c e some of t h e h a b i b which a c t u a l l y h i n d e r u s
i n understanding them.

The nDie-Casting" Habit - Too often, a s we observe i n d i v i d u a l s , we

try t o s o r t them i n t o types o r , t o p u t it another way, t o f o r c e them i n t o
in?agir,ary molds which we have s e t up i n our minds, much a s the d i e - c a s t e r
s q u i r t s metal i n t o d i f f e r e n t kinds of molds. They may be d i f f e r e n t shapes
before t h e y go i n , b u t they1r e a l l a l i k e when t h e y come out1

We f e e l t h a t we have completely cataloged B i l l Jones when we s a y t h a t

he i s a Ifgood mixer," t h a t we have defined Tom Smith when we p u t him down a s
a "tough customer." But we c a n ' t do t h a t with people, i f WE r e a l l y wish t o
understand them. We must s t u d y each one from a l l s i d e s , n o t pour them i n t o
molds o r c a s t them i n t o types.

The "Just Like" Habit - "He reminds me f o r a l l 'the world of B i l l

Brown," we say, and t h e r e a f - b r we n o t i c e most e a s i l y t h e t r a i t s which a r e
l i k e B i l l Brown and ignore those which a r e d i f f e r e n t . Once we have made up
"
our minds he i s " l i k e B i l l Brown, we close our minds t o t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of
h i s having o t h e r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s which we may need t o know. We s t o p study-
i n g h h , w i t h the r e s u l t t h a t we never discover many of t h e i n t e r e s t s and
a b i l i t i e s which a r e p a r t of him.

The IfGo, No-Go" Habit - "1 can t e l l whether a man w i l l make a good
union member a s soon a s I ask him t o do one thi-ng f o r t h e union, s a i d a
 UNION JOB RELATIONS REF'EREIJCE 4 115

steward. " I f he l i s t e n s c a r e f u l l y t o what we want and does i t e x a c t l y a s I

tell him, he w i l l make a good man. I f he t r i e s t o 'dope o u t ' h i s own way
of doing it, he seldom makes a goodeinember.I' This steward, i f he r e a l l y
does follow t h e way of t h i n k i n g which he described, i s c l a s s i f y i n g a l l
employees i n t o two c l a s s e s : ( 1 ) those who follow d i r e c t i o n s t o the l e t t e r ,
and ( 2 ) those who t r y t o f i g u r e o u t methods of t h e i r o m . H i s gage of men
i s two-valued, flgolto r "no-go. There are no "in-betweens . I He i s apply-
i n g an inspection technique, not an understanding one.

People a r e seldom "either-or. I t S t c d i e s of i n d i v i d u a l s show t h a t

a p p r o x h a t e l y two-thirds of them have each of t h e comnoriy observed t r a i t s
t o a moderate degree, t h a t i s , t h e y a r e c l o s e t o t h e average i n it, and
t h a t only a s m a l l percentage have markedly l a r g e o r s m a l l degrees of any
t r a i t , Not l l e i t h e r - o r l l b u t 'Ithe degree t o which" should be t h e guiding
concept in studying people.

S i m i l a r l y i t i s easy t'o i z l l i n t o t h e h a b i t of judging people s o l e l y

by how .mch i n t e r e s t t h e y t a k e i n the p a r t i c u l a r phase of union work i n which
the steward i s most i n t e r e s t e d , overlooking t h e i r p a r t i c i p a t i o n o r l a c k of
p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n o t h e r important union a c t i v i t i e s . P e o p l e ' s r e a c t i o n s cannot
be measured f a i r l y w i t h any s i n g l e gage. They a r e t o o complex.

The Vormulatt Habit - Closely r e l a t e d t o these l l s t e r e o t y p e l l ways of

looking a t people i s t h e p r a c t i c e of d e a l i n g w i t h each fltype of personf1 i n
a c e r t a i n s e t manne'r. It has been s a i d t h a t the way t o I1haridle t h e o l d
timer" i s t o I t l e t hi^ alone," t h a t t h e b e s t Tiay t o g e t along with the
llchronic kicker" i s t o " l a y dovm the law. "
Of course, these methods work a good d e a l of t h e time with many of
t h e people with whom stewards have t o deal. ~ t h e r v r i s et h e y would n o t be s o
commonly accepted. But t h e y become a hindrance when t h e y a r e used. a s excuses
f o r lumping people t o g e t h e r i n groups o r types and 2voiding the responsl-
b i l i t y of t r y i n g t o understand each person a s a n i n d i v i d u a l .

I n s h o r t , people cannot be handled l i k e p i e c e p a r t s o r a p p a r a t u s .

Each is an i n d i v i d u a l , d i f f e r e n t from e v e r y o t h e r . ltStereotypinglt them,
c l a s s i f y i n g them, s t a n d a r d i z i n g them, o r reducing t h e n t o f o m ~ u l a s- h a b i t s
of thinking t h a t work w e l l with inanimate t h i n g s - o f t e n pro= t o be a c t x a l
hindrances i n handling people.

The % t a n d a r d i ~ a t i o nHabit~~ - Stewards may become s o accus toned. t o

thinking i n terms of standards t h a t they look o n l y f o r comon responses of
" t h e member" and pay l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n t o t h e s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t s , a b i l i t i e s ,
and p e c u l i a r i t i e s , of i n d i v i d u a l persons. Yet i t i s these s p e c i a l charac-
t e r i s t i c s t h a t y i e l d f r u i t f u l c o n t a c t s upon which t o base e f f e c t i v e steward-
s h i p . It i s t h e ways i n which a person i s d i f f e r e n t , and e s p e c i d l y the
ways i n which he i s s u p e r i o r t o t h e Ifmine run" of people, which f u r n i s h t h e
 116: UNION JOB RELATIONS RETERENCE 4

key t o h i s s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t s , f o r he tends t o develop s t r o n g i n t e r e s t s i r ~

the f i e l d s i n which he possesses a b i l i t y . The steward. has t h e problem of
takin!; each of t h e s e ur,ique and d i f f e r e n t p e r s o n a l i t i e s , f i n d i n g o u t what
ile i s l i k e and t o what he w i l l respond, and f i t t i n g him i n t o a c t i v i t i e s i n
~ h i c hhe w i l l be most e f f e c t i v e in t h e union.

-
'60'11 t o Understand -
t h e I n d i v i d u a l Member

Hov can t h e steward understand a person who comes i n t o his department

w l l enougn t o f i t him i n t o t h e union? He can t a l k w i t h him, q u e s t i o n hirr,,
observe him, throw o7;t c o n v e r s a t i o n a l l e a d s t o draw him o u t , l i s t e n to him,
and t h i n k and l i s t e n and t h i n k , s e e k i n g e v e r t o look behind appearances and
f i r s t impressions i n t o t h e background o f f e e l i n g s , s e n t i m e n t s , and o t h e r
r e a c t i o n s - t,o the experiences which make u=, t h e man hirsiself.

Keeping i n mind t h a t i t i s n o t a q u e s t i o n of " e i t h e r - o r " b u t rather

of tlt~;e degree t o whi_ch, the s t e x a r d can use t h e f o l l o w i n g questions i n
h i s s t ~ d . ;of each i n d i v i d u a l . I n u s i n g each q u e s t i o n , hovcever, t h e ~ t e w a r d
m ~ s tt h i ~ , l .c o n s t a n t l y , "To what e x t e n t does he do t h i s ? I n what degree i s
this t r u e a, n o t t n e o f him? How f a r i s t h i s a s p e c t important i n t h i s i n d i -
$dual? ','/hj .ioes he r e a c t t h e way he does?I1 Here a r e t h e q u e s t i o n s :

Is 1s "doing a good jobf1?

Doe:. I? f a i l t o understand i n s t r u c t i o n s ?

Does 1.17 a t t e n t i o n wander from t h e job?

Is he j ; c r e s t e d i n h i s job?

How does he respond t o r e c o g n i t i o n ?

Does hs s t ? r ~ don h i s own f e e t ?

Does he seL-: i l l - a d a p t e d t o the job?

Coes he g e l .~.lon_cw e l l w i t h t h e o t h e r people i n the department?

Each of t h e s e questS.ons may nox be considered a l i t t l e f u r t h e r .

1. Is he doing a good job? - Does he miss a p a r t o f the i n s t m c t , i o n s

when h e i s given a s t a r t on t h e new j o t ? bIost l i k e l y he does. Is he t h e r e -
fcre s t u p i d o r c a r e l e s s ? Not a t a l l . He is merely human. file human mind
has a p e r f e c t mechanism f o r avoidin:: overload. I t s i m p l y i g n o r e s . ]I p a r i s
of t h e s j t , ~ l a t i o na r e wholly u n r e l a t e d t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l fs p a s t experience
7r t o h i s p r e s e n t i n * r e s t , he "pays no a t t e n t i o n t o them." ~f ths t o t a l .
 U N I O N JOB FELATIONS REmKENCE 4 117

s i t , u a t i o n demanding h i s a t t e n t i o n - f o r example, the new job i s complicated,

h i s eyes and e a r s f i r s t grasp only those aspects which i n t e r e s t him most.
~f h i s experience with t h e s e i s s a t i s f y i n g , he soon explores f u r t h e r and i s
ready f o r more i n s t r u c t i o n . The steward can c a l l t o t h e a t t e n t i o n of t h e
s u p e r v i s o r o r i n s t r u c t o r the p o i n t s of t h e job he s e i z e d upon a t t h e begin-
ning, a s cues t o h i s i n t e r e s t s , then t h e r e s t of t h e i n s t r u c t i o n can be
r e l a t e d t.o these i n t e r e s t s . Points of t h e job t h a t t h e worker missed can
be brought t o h i s a t t e n t i o n a s soon a s he i s ready f o r them. Are you s u r e
t h a t he knows ju.s t what is expected of him? Has t h e job been over-sold and
is he l e t down?

2. Does he f a i l t o understand i n s t r u c t i o n s ? - Does he m i s i n t e r p r e t

them? Does he f a i l t o catch the p o i n t of the explanation? Does he seem
"a b i . t t h i c k ? " The e a s y way o u t i s t o l a b e l such a person "dumb" and t h u s
avoid a l l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r helping him t o become an e f f i c i e n t operator.
This, however, n e i t h e r saves t h e man n o r g e t s t h e work done, and what i s
more it i s u s u a l l y unnecessary. Most workers who have passed t h e employment
o f f i c e a r e high enough i n mental c a p a c i t y t o l e a r n r e a d i l y t h e jobs t o which
they have been assigned. When t h e y f a i l t o understand, it i s n o t from
~ ~ c i u ~ b n e but -
s s " from-narrowness of experience. They a r e l i k e the c i t y boy
who, on h i s f i r s t visit t o a fa=, t r i e d t o g e t a p a i l of water by calmly
hold.ing up t h e pump handle, x a i t i n g f o r t h e water t o come. Why s h o u l d n ' t
he? He had seen hydrants mith pull-up handles b u t he had never seen a pump
in a w e l l ,

The worker who l e a r n s slowly because of narrow experience can u s u a l l y

be t r a i n e d by p a t i e n t , well-planned i n s t r u c t i o n and o f t e n makes a s u p e r i o r
o p e r a t o r . Cues t o h i s background and h i s i n t e r e s t s may be gained by encour-
aging him t o t a l k about t h e job, l i s t e n i n g t o him without i n t e r r u p t i o n s , and
giving a t t e n t i o n a s much t o what he t a k e s f o r granted a s t o what he a c t u a l l y
says, Gaps i n h i s b ~ c k g r o u n dcan be f i l l e d when he has a c t u a l experience
i n t h e shop,

The worker who m i s i n t e r p r e t s i n s t r u c t i o n s and thus makes mistakes is

a s i m i l a r problem. On account of the narrowness of h i s experience he f a i l s
t o understand. Where o t h e r s might have got meaning he draws a blank because
he doesnf t know t h e ''code . I t Yet he f e a r s t o r e v e a l h i s ignorance. What
does he do? He brj-dges the gap by using h i s imagination and, whenever he
guesses wrong, he makes mistakes. The remedy is t o make connection with
h i s meager experience by f i n d i n g out a s much about i t a s p o s s i b l e and t o
g e t h i m i n the frame of mind where he i s w i l l i n g t o ask questions. I f t h e
steward i s i n s t r u c t i n g him i n how t o do some work f o r the union, i t m i l l
help t o have him r e p e a t i n s t r u c t i o n s i n h i s own words: tll\low j u s t t o be
sure I ' v e made i t c l e a r , t e l l me what i t i s you're going t o do.!'

Care i n e x p l a i n i n g shop terms w i l l help g r e a t l y . One worker t e l l s

of h i s f i r s t day i n the shop thus: "The boss gave me a b i g pan of l i t t l e
 118 U N I O N JOB FiELATIONS ?BFE;FE?.CE 4

gadgets and s a i d , 'Take t h e s e p i e c e p a r t s over t o t h a t bench and "mikell ' e n .

The flrnax." and "fin." a r e s i x and t e n . ' Then o f f he went and I s p e n t t h e
n e x t t h r e e hours t r y i n g t o f i g u r e o u t what mike, min., and max hsd t c do
with t h e job, and what I VAS supposed t o do w i t h t h e pan of gadgets . I 1
Ignorance of shop terms and shop customs i s by no means confined t o
l1new1lemployees f r e s h from t h e employment o f f i c e . P i c t u r e a n e x q e r j enced
employee newly t r a n s f e r r e d from a d i s t a n t department, t r y i n g t o a d j u s t him-
s e l f t o a new l o c a t i o n and l e a r n a wholly new kind of job. During his
y e a r s on t h e o l d job he has gone along paying l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n t o o t h e r
o r g a n i z a t i o n s , y e t now on t h e new job he i s ashamed t o r e v e a l h i s i g n o r a n c e .
Ee i s g r a t e f u l t o t h e s t e w a r d who w i l l t a k e t h e t r o u b l e t o d i s c o x r t h e
limits of h i s e x p e r i e n c e and g i v e him t h e h e l p he needs.

3. Does h i s a t t e n t i o n wander from t h e job? - Does he seem t o be

o v e r s e n s i t i v e t o n o i s e s , changes i n l i g h t and v e n t i l a t i o n , presence of o t h e r
workers o r passers-by? If s o , he i s merely responding n a t u r a l l y - a c t i n g
" l i k e a human being." hlost i n d i v i d u a l s f i n d it hzrd - n o t t o pay a t t e n t i o n
t o a l l t h a t is going on around them, e s p e c i a l l y t o n o i s e s and people.
..,
r
The new worker, i n a d d i t i o n t o mastering h i s s k i l l , has t o become
accustomed t o a I f t o t a l s i t u a t i o n 1 ' which i s s t r a n g e and f a s c i n a t i n g . In
f a c t , a p a r t of any s k i l l i s an a b i l i t y t a i g n o r e e v e r y t h i n g except t h e
a c t i v i t y i t s e l f - t o c o n c e n t r a t e o n e ' s a t t e n t i o n on it. V i t n e s s t h e a b i l i t y
of t h e champion a t h l e t e t o f o r g e t h i s g a l l e r y ancl l o s e himself i n t h e game.

Complete a b s o r p t i o n i n a t a s k and d i s r e g m d of surrourldings amid t h e

d i s t r a c t i n g n o i s e and a c t i v i t y of a manufacturing p l a n t i s n o t a n z t u r a l .
a c t . It i s ar! achievement - t h a t i s , i t can be l e a r n e d . F o r t u n a t e l y , most
workers a r e a b l e t o l e a r n i t f o r themselves i n a r e l a t i v e l y s h o r t time.
Sometimes i t i s p o s s i b l e t o h e l p t h e worker who i s u n u s u a l l y s e m i t i v e t o
d i s t r a c t i o n by a r r a n g i n g t o s e t him placed i n a l e s s exposed l o c a t i o n where
n o i s e s a r e more uniform o r monotonous o r t~ t r a n s f e r him t o work which
r e q u i r e s a broader s p r e a d of atL&nti.on o r which i n c l u d e s d e a l i n g w i t h a
l a r g e number of people.

4. Is he i n t e r e s t e d i n h i s job? - Does he f a i l t o p u t f o r t h t h e
e f f o r t n e c e s s a r y t o l e a r n t o do t h e job well? A boy xi11 have an i n t e r e s t
i n a job i f he f e e l s t h a t i t i s i n harmony w i t h his own pcrposes, t n a t i t
i s Itgef,ting him somewhere." I f he can i d e n t i f y t h e job :ndTLkhimself, s e e
i t s connection w i t h h i s own l i f e , w i t h h i s c h e r i s h e d ambition, t h e n he i s
" L ~ t e r e s i e di n t h e jobu i n t h e same sense t h a t a man who buys an i n t e r e s t
in a b u s i n e s s i s I t i n t e r e s t e d i n " t h a t b u s i n e s s . ';i'hen t h i s happens t h e r e i s
no t r o u b l e about e f f o r t .

But o f t e n the new member carmot s e e any r e l a t i o n between h i s own p l a n

f o r t h e f u t u r e and t h e job t o which he i s assi.gned. The stsward -an e j m l a i n
 UNION JOB FELATIONS REFERENCE 4 119

$0 t h e worker how upgrading t a k e s p l a c e sad what avenues of advancement a r e

open t o him i f he i s e f f i c i e n t i n each job a l o n g t h e l i n e . Some young
workers a r e v i c t i m s of t h e t t w h i t e - c o l l a r t t c r a z e ; t h e i r o n l y i d e a o f advance-
ment i s t o g e t o u t of t h e shop and i n t o t h e o f f i c e , w i t h o u t any c l e a r under-
s t a n d i n g of t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s of e i t h e r . A s t e w a r d can o f t e n r e n d e r 3. r e a l
s e r v i c e t o such young p e o p l e by g i v i n g them f a c t s r e g a r d i n g t h e v a l u e s of
shop experience, no m a t t e r where l a t e r promo Lions o r t r a n s f e r s may l e a d ,
and h e l p i n g them t o t h i n k o v e r t h e i r p l a n s and ambitions in t h e l i g h t of
t h e s e f a c t s r a t h e r t h a n on the* b a s i s of f a m i l y o r p e r s o n a l p r e j u d i c e regard-
i n g t t o v e r a l l s ' l o r t h e "white c o l l a r , t 1

Occasionally t h e s t e w a r d f i n d s an i n d i v i d u a l who has %itched his

wagon t o a s t a r f t f a r beyond t h e limits o f h i s c a p a c i t y , background, and
e d u c a t i o n . He may have t o h e l p such a p e r s o n t o g e t h i s f e e t on t h e ground.
On t h e o t h e r hand, some l e a r n e r s i n t h e shop seem t o have no d e f i n i t e ambi-
t i o n o r p l a n of a c t i o n f o r t h e i r lives a t a l l . By t a l k i n g w i t h them and
becoming b e t t e r a c q u a i n t e d t h e steward may be a b l e t o d i s c o v e r s u c h a n
ambition and h e l p t h e worker t o connect h i s job w i t h it.

Under war c o n d i t i o n s i t i s a powerful stimu1.u~ t o show e a c h marl what

he and t h e union do f o r t h e war e f f o r t .

Many stewards make i t a p o i n t t o t e l l t h e members how t h e i r produc-

t i o n w i l l be used: "This goes i n t o a n a i r p l a n e t o show t h e p i l o t s o and
s o --.It t t T h 3 goes i n t o a n i n s t r u m e n t p a n e l t o show s o and s o --.It "Our
union f a b r i c a t e s p a r t s f o r --- p l a n e s a month. I t

In a highly s p e c i a l i z e d f a c t o r y i t is d i f f i c u l t t o provide the i n t e r -

e s t which t h e o l d c r a f t s m a n f e l t i n t h e product of h i s hands because i t was
a l l h i s o m , from raw m a t e r i a l t o f i n i s h e d masterpiece. The modern shop,
whers t h e worker can s e e t h e whole p r o d u c t f a b r i c a t e d b e f o r e f i s e y e s , pro-
v i d e s an o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e v i v e t h i s kind of i n t e r e s t . The worker can " s e e
what he i s doing" and s e e t h a t i t i s wortllwhile.

Likewise a worker h a s more i n t e r e s t i n h i s machine i f he u n d e r s t a n d s

how i t works, t h e p r i n c i ? l e s of' i t s o p e r a t i o n , what i t can do, and just a s
i m p o r t a n t , what it cannot do; i.t.., t h e limits of i t s o p e r a t i o n . IrJhen t h e
x o r k e r kno-,vs t h o s e t h i n g s , i n s t e a d of b l i n d l y f ollo-vving t h e d i r e c t i o n s of
t h e . i n a c h i n e - s e t t e r o r t h e equipment man, he t a k e s an i n t e r s s t i n t h e
machim. Because he f e e l s t n a t he understands i t , he cones t o i d e n t i f y it
w i t h himself, j u s t a s he does t h e job i n which he Ithas an i n t e r e s t . " It
becomes h i s nachine, and t h u s a new i n t e r e s t i n t h e job i s born.

Knowledge of h i s own p r o g r e s s s t i m u l a t e s t h e l e a r n e r l s i n t e r e s t . The

v a l u e of o p e r a t , w s l performance r e c o r d s a s ail i n c e n t i v e , e s p e c i a l l y when
p r e s e n t e d i n g r a p h i c form, was d i s c o v e r e d long ago. We l i k e t o b e a t o u r own
r e c o r d , t o s e e o u r s e l v e s grow i n s k i l l . , and most of us l i k e t o engage i n
-
120 UNION JOB HELATIONS REFERENCE 4

r i v a l r y with o t h e r s . R i v a l r y i n o u t p u t , however, i s a form of s t i m u l a t i o n

which has t o be handled wisely, e s p e c i a l l y d u r i n g t h e t r a i n i n g period.
Progress in l e a r n i n g does n o t always r e g i s t e r i n d a i l y output. While l e a r n -
i n g c o r r e c t n e s s o f tlform'' and developing t h e a b i l i t y t o reach q u a l i t y s t a n -
d a r d s , o u t p u t may n o t show a d a i l y i n c r e a s e and t h e worker should n o t judge
h i s p r o g r e s s by it. The steward can p r e v e n t discouragement and l o s s of
i n t e r e s t by d i r e c t i n g his a t t e n t i o n t o t h i s f a c t .
6
Then t h e r e i s t h e m a t t e r of s o c i a l approval. Any experienced steward
knows t h e value of r e c o g n i t i o n a s a s t i m u l a t i o n of i n t e r e s t i n t h e job.
P r a i s e i s discussed f u r t h e r i n a d i f f e l - e n t connection below.

The e f f e c t i v e n e s s of a l l t h e s e ways of r e a c h i n g t h e worker's i n t e r -

e s t and r e l a t i n g them t o t h e job l i e s i n t h e f a c t t h a t a man r e a c t s a s a
whole. We sometimes t a l k of t r a i n i n g h i s muscles o r h i s b r a i n o r h i s hands.
We c a n ' t . H i s whole s e l f i s being t r a i n e d by e v e r y experience he has. We
teach t h e man, n o t his hand.' men he has mastered a s k i l l , t h e whole man
has it, u s e s it, and i s proud of it. The man himself has ambitions t o which
t h e job may o r may n o t be r e l a t e d . The man himself en joys doing it, o r i s
i n d i f f e r e n t t o it. The man himself basks i n the a p p r e c i a t i o n of h i s f e l l o w s
when they recognize t h a t he has done t h e job well. Anything which connects
with h i s i n t e r e s t a f f e c t s a l l p a r t s of him. H i s eye b r i g h t e n s , h i s mind
becomes more a l e r t , h i s hand more s u r e . Recognition of success i n one p a r t
of t h e job r e a c t s t o heighten h i s i n t e r e s t in t h e job a s a whole, and he
does t h e whole job b e t e r , Conversely, f a i l u r e i n any p a r t of t h e job
d e p r e s s e s t h e whole man, h i s work and h i s a t t i t u d e toward t h e job - u n l e s s
he r e g a r d s t h e f a i l u r e a s a challenge, analyzes it, and l e a r n s how t o over-
come it.

The l a r g e s t f a c t o r w i t h which a steward has t o d e a l i s h i s workerrs

Ilia-terests." This emphasizes a g a i n t h e need f o r the steward t o become w e l l
acquainted w i t h the members a s persons, t o understand t h e i r backgrounds of
experience, t h e i r hopes and purposes f o r t h e f u t u r e , t h e i r bents and s p e c i a l
a b i l i t i e s , a l l i n o r d e r t h a t he may h e l p them t o d i s c o v e r r e a l and l a s t i n g
zonnec t i o n s be tween themselves and t h e i r jobs.

5. HOW does he respond t o r e c o g n i t i o n ? - Coes p r a i s e st,iinulate him?

How does he .take criticism'!

A l i t t l e r e c o g n i t i o n adds z e s t t o t h e job and s t i m u l a t e s a manrs

e f f o r t s . This i s e s p e c i a l l y t r u e of t h e l e a r n e r , because he f e e l s i n s e c u r e
and u n c e r t a i n about himself anyhow. Building h i s confidence i s p a r t of the
job.

The mos t tangi'ole f o m of recognition i s , of c o u r s e , the weekly pay

envelope. An i n c r e a s e i n h i s r a t e i s a v i s i b l e goal. Rut s o many f a c t o r s
over which t h e steward has no c o n t r o l e n t e r i n t o r e q u e s t s f o r wage i n c r e a s e s
 UNION J O 3 KELATIONS REFERENCE 4 121

t h a t he f i n d s o t h e r f o m s of r e c o g n i t i o n a l s o necessary. m e n a steward
]lotices t h a t a new man i s doing a good job, o r when a s u p e r v i s o r t e l l s him
s o , he can help t h e nevi man by t e l l i n g him he 1s doing well.

P r a i s e i n the presence of t h e group i s a n e f f e c t i v e form of recog-

n i t i o n , s o long as it i s f a i r . It i s u s u a l l y s t r o n g e r t h a n p r a i s e i n p r i -
vate b u t more d i f f i c u l t t o give because the members of t h e group a r e always
making comparisons. Both approval and c o r r e c t i o n a r e necessary, b u t c r i t i -
cism given before the group u s u a l l y r e s u l t s i n confusion o r resentment.

The new worker l e a r n s more from p r a i s e t h a n from censure. The reason

i s simple. He is blundering about, seeking t h e r i g h t way t o do each p a r t
of the job. Wen he h a ~ > e n supon a r i g h t way, and someone approves it, he
!a?olvs he has g o t t h a t p a r t of t h e job, and seeks t o r e p e a t it. A t the same
t h e he experiences a glow of s a t i s f a c t t o n which s p u r s h i m on t o master
o t h e r p a r t s of t h e job. But suppose he t r i e s a wrong m y and is Itbawled
o u t ? t t That has he l e a r n e d ? Simply t h a t t h a t one way i s wrong. He s t i l l
does n o t know a r i g h t way and may try many o t h e r wrong ones before he f i n d s
a r i g h t one. Meanwhile he f e e l s discourage3 because of t h e disapproval.
Such a moment can be s e i z e d t o demonstrate a g a i n the " r i g h t wayt1 t o do t h e
operation, though t h a t i s beside t h e p o i n t here. It i s o f t e n necessary t o
p o i n t o u t m?stakes b u t , even a t i t s b e s t , censure o r adversa c r i t i c i s m h e l p s
t h e l e a r n e r t o o sloi:rly on h i s m y t o s k i l l . I n s t e a d it i s b e t t e r t o c a t c h
him a s o f t e n a s p o s s i b l e doing t h e r i g h t t h l n g , even by chance, and speed
hirn on h i s way x i t h a word of a p p r e c i a t i o n .

6 . Does he s t a n d on h i s own f e e t ? - Does he l e a n on o t h e r people t o o

much, o r go t o t h e opposite extreme and a c t a s i f he knows i t a l l ?

Elost new workers a r e a b i t f e a r f u l and l a c k i n g in confidence, some

more and some l e s s . They show it i n curious and c o n t r a d i c t o r y ways, a s t h e
above questions suggest. .4 l i t t l e f e a r when f a c i n g a new s i t u a t i o n s e r v e s
t o awaken most persons t o g r e a t e r a l e r t n e s s and e f f o r t . They a r e a b l e t o
r i s e t o the occasion and soon overcome t h e i r f e a r s . They "take t h i n g s i n
t h e i r s t r i d e . " Yet t h e r e a r e many i n d i v i d u a l s who l a c k emotional balance,
who have n o t learned t o take l i f e as i t comes, t o f a c e r e a l i t y as a d u l t s .
It i s important, however, t o remsmber t h e c a u t i o n a b o u t "die-casting" people
i n t o molds, t o n o t i c e Ifthe degree t o which" t h e i n d i v i d u a l l a c k s emotional
balance. Differences i n i n d i v i d u a l s range a l l t h e way from the person who
a d j u s t s himself t o t h e job s i t u a t i o n promptly, s t a n d s on h i s o m f e e t and
q u i e t l y t a c k l e s everything i n a matter-of-fact way, t o t h e person who l e a n s
on o t h e r s and expects f a v o r s , who covers h i s f e a r s w i t h overboldness, o r
who seeks t o "make a good impression" i n s t e a d of c o n c e n t r a t i n g h i s a t t e n t i o n
on l e a r n i n g the job.

While t h e steward cannot 40 along i n d e f i n i t e l y t r y i n g t o h e l p a m a l -

a d j u s t e d person Itgrow up, l ' he can o f t e n add t o t h e t i m i d manls confidence
122 UNION JOB RELATIONS REFERENCE 4 2

-
by pointing o u t h i s successes and, on t h e o t h e r hand, bring a b l u f f e r back
t o r e a l i t y by facing him with the demands of t h e job. He i s i n t e r e s t e d a t unle
a l l times i n each o p e r a t o r ' s r e a c t i o n s t o the job and t o h i s fellow-workers, supe
because they a r e f a c t s which a f f e c t his doing t h e job, h i s a t t i t u d e toward ence
it, and toward the union.

7. Does he seem i l l - a d a p t e d t o t h e job? - I n s p i t e of the b e s t memb

e f f o r t s of l i n e supervisors and personnel organization, employees a r e sorne- Viso
times placed on jobs t h e y c a r a o t do s a t i s f a c t o r i l y . Two cautions a r e i n Howe
o r d e r here, however. can
only
F i r s t : Do n o t assume t h a t an employee is a misfit i n a job u n t i l he can
has been f u l l y and c o r r e c t l y i n s t r u c t e d on t h a t job and has shown t h a t he ac h i
cannot do it successfully. Many men have been c a l l e d m i s f i t s on jobs t h e y prog
never had a f a i r chance t o l e a r n . Often a slow l e a r n e r makes an e x c e l l e n t
operator. It i s a misfortune f o r him if he has t o begin t h e job under a
supervisor o r i n s t r u c t o r without patience and w i l l i n g n e s s t o i n s t r u c t . A vita
steward should n o t ask t h a t a worker be t r a n s f e r r e d u n t i l he i s r e a l l y s u r e c ien
t h a t he i s a m i s f i t . the
they
Second: Do not assume t h a t when a worKer i s a m i s f i t i n one job he slow
is u s e l e s s . Any steward of long experience could t e l l s t o r i e s of ttmisfit,sl~ mont
who found other places where t h e y made good. Few misfits a r e t o t a l l y u n f i t .

Get acquainted with t h e employee, w i n h i s confidence, discover what

he can do and l i k e s t o do, f i n d o u t h i s d i f f i c u l t i e s on the job, and see
t h a t he e i t h e r l e a r n s it o r g e t s a f a i r t r i a l a t o t h e r jobs f o r which he is
b e t t e r adapted. huma
job,
8. Does he g e t along w e l l with o t h e r people i n t h e department? - unio
Sometimes men know how t o do t h e i r jobs w e l l , and y e t t h e y a r e n o t e f f e c t i v e
because they do n o t g e t along w e l l with t h e people with whom they work.

Consider whether any differences i n your r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h the var-

ious people are p a r t of t h e s i t u a t i o n .
You may need t o try t o g e t the team re-aligned in order t o g e t a group
t o work together.

THE STPWARD AND THE SUPERVISOR

No one can deny the importance of good working r e l a t i o n s between t h e
unionls representatives and managementts r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . Because the stew-
a r d and the supervisor a r e i n immediate contact with the workers i n the
shop, they control the b a s i c foundations f o r i n d u s t r i a l peace. The b e s t
c o n t r a c t in the world between l a b o r and. management becomes a s c r a p of paper
 U N I O N JOB HELAEONS l?EEmI'!CE 4 123

u n l e s s it works i n the p l a n t . This i s t h e job of both t h e steward and t h e

enced stewards .
supervisor. Due t o withdrawals t o t h e armed f o r c e s t h e r e a r e many i n e x p e r i -
They need help and understanding.

It i s w e l l t o keep i n mind t h a t t h e s t e w a r d ' s job i s t o r e p r e s e n t

members, n o t t o a c t a s a n i m p a r t i a l a r b i t r a t o r . By t h e same token, a super-
v i s o r must r e p r e s e n t management's i n t e r e s t s t o t h e b e s t of his a b i l i t y .
However, i f both can n e g o t i a t e on a f a c t u a l b a s i s , t h e i r mutual problems
can then be s e t t l e d on m e r i t s w i t h o u t a l o s s i n p r e s t i g e by e i t h e r p a r t y .
only through mutual understanding and r e s p e c t be tween steward and s u p e r v i s o r
can we hope t o achieve i n d u s t r i a l harmony. Without such harmony we cannot
achieve a maximum i n war production and cooperation i n t h e reconversion
program.

Today a s never before t h e s e t t l e m e n t of grievances w i t h i n a p l a n t i s

v i t a l l y important. Every u n s e t t l e d grievance tends t o lower working e f f i -
ciency and t h u s reduces output. When both stewards and s u p e r v i s o r s a c q u i r e
t h e s k i l l of working w i t h people and handling problems t h a t involve people,
they w i l l s e t t l e many complaints a s soon a s t h e y a r i s e and n o t l e a n on the
slower process of t h e grievance machinery where d e c i s i m s may be delayed f o r
months.

Good stewardship i s n o t a s k i l l which can be mastered overnight -

human beings a r e complex. But i t i s a s k i l l i n which you improve on t h e
job, and one which g i v e s r e t u r n s t o you, your department, your p l a n t , your
union, and t h e war e f f o r t .