Orientation of New Employees
All new bargaining unit employees should receive an orientation by a Union Official appointed by the Chapter President. This meeting shall coincide with the Agency New Employee orientation. The purpose of the orientation is to explain to the employees the role of the Union in the workplace. Basically, you are describing to the employee who we are and what we do. Without the orientation, the employees may not know what the Union does, how to contact the Union for assistance, or even that there is a Union!
A representative of the Union shall be afforded a reasonable period of time to speak at group orientation sessions, where scheduled, or otherwise to each new employee, to provide unit employees with an introduction to the role of the Union.
There will be no solicitation of membership or union dues withholding during the Union presentation. Soliciting Union membership must be done on personal, non-work time, such as during a break or lunch. The orientation can be scheduled to end at the start of a lunch period or break so that a new employee can be invited to join the Union during the proper time period.
Below is an agenda for how you can conduct the orientation. Using different media can be an effective way to communicate. The website is filled with information about the Union , so showing it to the new employees (via a projector hooked up to an internet-connected computer) helps direct them to answers to questions that may come up during and after the orientation.
Problems?
Who can attend? It should go without saying that managers/supervisors/operation officer/secretary/etc. (anyone not part of the bargaining unit) SHOULD NOT attend the orientation. If you have a Management official who wants to attend, politely explain that this is not the normal protocol for the orientation, as some employees might feel intimidated. If a Management official insists on attending, postpone the orientation and contact the Chapter President.
How much time? For a full orientation, it is suggested that you request 1.5 hours of time for the employees to attend. It may take less time if you are not going to use the DVD or other materials, or if you have a small group, or if there are very few questions.
No orientation? Some offices have in the past not always consistently conducted orientations (which was the motivation for creating this chapter!), and some have had months- or even years-long delays in arranging orientations. Remember, even during the very busiest time periods, when new employees come on board they are given a great deal of introductory information (health insurance, office policy, TSP, etc.) and learning about the Union is no less important. Insist that the orientations be held. If you run into any problems, contact the Chapter President.
The following table depicts the agenda that the Chapter will present to the new employees;
Task # | Task Description | Tips |
1 | Introduction – why we are here today (orientation to the Union, required by the contract); who I am (experiences on the job and with the Union); make it clear that the purpose of this meeting is not to solicit membership | Bring candy |
2 | Distribute contract, including any amendments to the contract | Make sure that every new employee has a copy of the contract – this is vital!!! |
3 | Role of the Union:
* represent employees
* negotiate contract
* handle complaints/file grievances
* Union/Management Council
| |
4 | Accomplishments/History of the Kentucky Long Rifle Chapter (ACT) | Log into Internet, click on Union website |
5 | Dues breakdown | Use graphic/chart to help explain where dues $ go (arbitration, National PAC fund, etc) |
6 | Structure of Chapter | Click on “Union Officers” page on website, distribute officer list |
7 | Contract Review:
* Table of contents
* Orientation to the Union
* Deadline for grievance
* Deadline for bargaining
* Right to Union representation
* Respect & Dignity (Article 6, Section 5) p.7
* Corrective actions (Article 6, Section 15) p.8
* Discussing problems (Article 6, Section 10 & 11) p.8
| Click on “Contract” page on website
Suggest employee open book and follow along
|
8 | Websites | www.klrc83.com www.actnat.com Agency LRS website |