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Union Steward Basics is a union steward podcast for new stewards and bargaining-unit employees in their first 90 days—not labor-news commentary. We own Weingarten scripts, gripe vs grievance triage, investigation...
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Union Steward Basics is a union steward podcast for new stewards and bargaining-unit employees in their first 90 days—not labor-news commentary. We own Weingarten scripts, gripe vs grievance triage, investigation note hygiene, and steward first-90-days checklists. Practical new steward craft only. Search Union Steward Basics on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly Weingarten, grievance, and steward investigation episodes. Audio for this show is produced with AI assistance. Episodes are researched, scripted, and reviewed for accuracy before release.
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26 AUG 2026 · In this episode of Union Steward Basics, Sterling breaks down how new union stewards can handle coworker complaints with confidence and clarity. When a member approaches you in the hallway, it’s easy to feel pressured for an instant answer, but jumping ahead often leads to overpromising or turning everyday gripes into formal issues. Instead, learn a simple three-step approach: listen first, ask what outcome the member wants, and jot down the date, people involved, and exact details before checking the contract.
Discover how to distinguish personal complaints from actual grievances, practice a clear request for representation during potential discipline meetings, and master note-taking that keeps facts straight without escalating tension. These practical skills protect both you and the member while building your role as a reliable steward.
Key takeaways:
- Use a short pause to assess complaints before committing to action
- Ask targeted questions to separate gripes from contract violations
- Exercise Weingarten rights with a simple, non-confrontational statement
- Take accurate, fact-based notes during management meetings
📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at union@senseofthisshit.com.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/union-steward-basics--7172849/support
Transcribed
19 AUG 2026 · In this episode, new union stewards learn a practical system to separate urgent contract issues from everyday gripes without burning out. Sterling shares three quick triage questions—does the complaint show a violation or past practice, does it affect more than one member, and is there an immediate deadline—to keep your caseload manageable from day one. You’ll also pick up steady habits for the first conversation: let the member finish their story, restate the facts to confirm accuracy, separate emotions from contract language, and check the exact clause together. Brief, factual note-taking and a clear two-day follow-up promise help build trust while protecting timelines.
Key takeaways:
- Apply the three-question filter to every member contact
- Focus on facts, dates, and contract wording before deciding next steps
- Record only what was said and commit to a prompt reply
📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at union@senseofthisshit.com.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/union-steward-basics--7172849/support
Transcribed
12 JUL 2026 · In this episode, we break down the critical first 90 days for new union stewards. You'll learn how to quickly distinguish everyday gripes from actionable grievances, master basic Weingarten rights scripts for member interviews, and adopt simple note-taking formats that capture facts without fluff. Practical templates replace guesswork so you can focus on timelines, member goals, and follow-ups that build strong records from day one.
- Spot the difference between personal frustrations and contract violations by tracking patterns, affected coworkers, and impacts on pay, hours, or safety
- Use ready Weingarten phrases to guide investigatory meetings while protecting member rights
- Apply a clean note structure: date, timeline in the member's words, management claims, documents, and open questions
- List three immediate follow-up tasks on every sheet to keep momentum and avoid scattered records
- Separate issues with visual breaks and keep tone observations private
These tools turn scattered conversations into usable files you can hand off or reference weeks later. No trial-and-error required.
📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at union@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/union-steward-basics--7172849/support
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Union Steward Basics is a union steward podcast for new stewards and bargaining-unit employees in their first 90 days—not labor-news commentary. We own Weingarten scripts, gripe vs grievance triage, investigation...
show more
Union Steward Basics is a union steward podcast for new stewards and bargaining-unit employees in their first 90 days—not labor-news commentary. We own Weingarten scripts, gripe vs grievance triage, investigation note hygiene, and steward first-90-days checklists. Practical new steward craft only. Search Union Steward Basics on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly Weingarten, grievance, and steward investigation episodes. Audio for this show is produced with AI assistance. Episodes are researched, scripted, and reviewed for accuracy before release.
show less
Information
| Author | Let's Work This Sh*t Out |
| Organization | Let's Work This Sh*t Out |
| Categories | Business , Society & Culture |
| Website | www.senseofthisshit.com |
| union@senseofthisshit.com |
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