The document provides guidelines for a union steward's role during an investigation meeting. It advises the steward to speak to the member beforehand, question any witnesses to determine accuracy and biases, take an active advocacy role for the member, take notes without relying on management's notes, and ensure the member is treated fairly, with the option to challenge discipline through the grievance procedure.

1. Steward's Role During an
Investigation Meeting
Bob Kraves
Former IAM Educator
sevark@aol.com

2. Steward's Role During an
Investigation Meeting
Some of the most frequently asked questions
regarding shop stewards are one’s concerning
roles and rights during an investigation
hearing or meeting. Most of the discussion
centers on what a steward can and cannot do
at such a time.
A steward should follow these guidelines at
an investigation meeting:

3. Steward Guidelines
Speak to the member
prior to the meeting.
Take a recess to get
some understanding
as to what happened
if the meeting has
started before you
arrived.

4. Steward Guidelines
Get as much
information as you
can beforehand. Do
not let the employer
withhold information.
If they do, document
any denials in your
notes and get it on
the written record.

5. Steward Guidelines
If there are witnesses at the meeting, you
should question them as you see fit in order
to clarify what they say. You have a right to
ask these witnesses questions to determine
the accuracy of their testimony and their
biases. Your rights to questioning should not
be interfered with by management. If you are
denied that right, make sure the denial is
entered on the record.

6. Steward Guidelines
It is perfectly proper
for members to answer
questions with, “Yes,"
“No," or "I don't
know." Once the
member has answered
a question, there is no
need to elaborate
further, though it is
human nature to do so.

7. Steward Guidelines
At most meetings
the steward should
take as active a role
as considered
necessary, but
always keep in mind
that you are an
advocate for our
member.

8. Steward Guidelines
In the meeting, a
steward should be
allowed to ask for a
short recess so they
can speak privately
with the member.

9. Steward Guidelines
Take notes or bring in a
second person to take
notes. The written record
is important. Notes can
tell what actually was
said, not what was
allegedly said. Cases have
been won and lost on the
accuracy of the written
record.

10. Steward Guidelines
Do not rely on the
supervisor's notes.
And no, you do not
have to give a copy
of your notes to
management.

11. Steward Guidelines
The bottom line is to
make sure that the
member is treated as
fairly as possible
under circumstances
that can be heavily
weighted against
him or her.

12. Steward Guidelines
Even if the investigation
does not go the way you
had hoped, you can
challenge the discipline,
or how management
conducted itself through
the process by appealing
through your grievance
procedure.