Some general questions...

[Telkwa]

Pretty slow section of the forum!
Work in Washington State. Represented by IBEW.

I'm looking for some general thoughts on how things work when a union's involved.

Pretty much all the union hands agree that our work site is being neglected by the union. There have been some big changes in the work force lately and co. seems to be taking advantage of the fear, uncertainty, and doubt. You guys know how contracts work - lots of gray areas that never seem to get clarified. Co. is taking a run at even the clearly stated parts of CBA, coming up with wild interpretations and implementing them. They're getting away with it because the business rep just drops the grievances.
They're also getting draconian with discipline. I have two letters for "disrespectful" and "unprofessional" behavior. Have asked for descriptions of what this means, and asked for training, but of course they don't want to set boundaries.
A guy almost got fired last week when caught without wearing his seat belt. There are other instances but you get the idea.

When the company is doing evil things and the union is sitting on its hands, what can a person or group do? Could some of us band together, get a lawyer, and sue the union for non-representation? What about the co.? I'm under the impression that it's tough to do anything legally until you've exhausted all options with the union, but want to get ahead of this, not wait until people are fired then try to reverse things.