union promises not kept

[dillwad]

What is the name of your state? mi
hello,
We just recently organized, and are not being given promised rights. During organization, we were told we would have date of hire as seniority date, and were entered under a current contract and bargaining unit with a temporary letter of understanding. We did this as the contract was to expire shortly, and to protect us for a merger. After many meetings, we never saw chief steward. He now is complaining, saying seniority should start when we entered union, and is fighting us to take away. My question is this, can they legally do this after representing otherwise, and allowing numerous others including themselves to have date of hire recognized when the bargaining unit was first established?
Thanx!

[justalayman]

what union do you beling to?

what do you mean with:

We did this as the contract was to expire shortly, and to protect us for a merger.

where is the president of the local?

[dillwad]

we belong to seiu.
our president is not in our state, but the secretary treasurer was present, made these promises, and now allowing the chief stewared to run with the ball.

[justalayman]

try this phone number. It is for the national office in Washington.800-424-8592

I knew a person that was previously a member of the seui. I was not impressed with the union or their support of their members.

and are not being given promised rights.

this should be addressed either in your contract or a letter of understanding attached to the contract. Very simply put, if it isn't in writing, it isn't true.

[dillwad]

it was addressed in our LOU. It says what was promised, seniority from date of hire. The sec. treas. and state rep. made it a point to say that there was a clause that allowed the new contract to change the terms. But, it is so vague that no reasonable person would assume this upon reading it, ecspecially after their claims to the otherwise. It would seem to me thath that LOU would grandfather us, and protect those rights.

[justalayman]

well, it would depend greatly on the clause they are referring to. It may take an outside attorney to decide this for you but I would contact the national office with your grievance first. If they say it is a local matter, tell them you believe a conflicit of interest will prevent the secretary treasurer from making a fair and unbiased decision.

If they blow you off again, tell them you would like to keep this "
in house" and not engage an attorney to deal with this but if they are not willing to intervene, that is your only possible action. (of course this is if you are willing to engage an attorney)