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Using Solidarity to Win Grievances
Grievances can sometimes test be won by relying on the solidarity of union members rather than, or in addition to, the contract language. Before initiating collective action, you should consider the following questions:
Is the grievance winnable?
Who is the grievant? How is s/he viewed by his/her co-workers?
Which other workers are/could be affected by this grievance?
Can the workers be organized around this grievance?
Will collective action be effective?
What is the "common denominator" of this grievance for all members?
Could this be settled by the formal approach? Should it be?
Who in management has the power to resolve this grievance?
How is the management vulnerable? i.e. What are the pressure points?
What tactic(s) will the members participate in? Which tactic(s) will be most effective with management?
.buttons .informational picketing
.petitions »press release
.leaflets .State/Federal agencies
.bulletin boards .group grievances
. arm bands . silent treatment of supervisor
.creative disobedience .rule book slow down
.lunch room meeting/rally . "write-up" supervisor
. shift change rally . cartoons
. brief work stoppage . boycott
.group confronting supervisors
Rmember: All collective actions require a high level organization and unity, otherwise the Union will look weak
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