So I’m the president of my local union in a glass facility and the owners recently changed. Since the move from one company to the other the transition for direct deposits, 401ks, w-4s and all things regarding payroll have been real fucked up. After 4 pay period (8 weeks) our issues still haven’t been resolved. Everyone in the facility is dealing with at least one if not more issues that i outlined above. The company says they are working on it and will make sure everyone is made whole but it’s been going on to long. I spoke to my union rep this morning and i was told to outline everyone’s individual issues regarding this roll over. The union is stepping in to try and resolve the issue but if it’s not done but a certain deadline then my union will be filing charges with the department of labor and will have the federal government step in. I have a great relationship with my supervisors and the plant management so just as a show of good faith and courtesy i spoke to the plant manager in private to keep everyone in the loop. Management is clearly concerned because word has made it around the plant very quickly. I just wanted to post this to give examples of how a union and a business interact and how things can be resolved. I don’t know if it will be resolved before the need to file charges but just the threat of getting the union and the federal government involved has clearly lite a fire under their ass. I just wanted to share so more people are aware of the way things get handled when the employees have good representation. The employers have to get these issues figured out and resolved or it will be a giant headache that involves lawyers, fines, etc.. the point I’m making is that most of the issues that i see people deal with on this thread would be resolved with representation via a labor union. It also mitigates the very personal and potential fighting between the employers and the work force. When you are in a union and you have issues, the company can’t just blow you off. They must address the issue or face the consequences. The union takes out the tensions that come along with getting issues resolved and allows you to handle those issues in a professional manner without causing too much strife or personal reputations. I was able to have a very calm and cool discussion about a very tense situation with the plant manager all because i have representation. At the end of the day a unions purpose is just to keep the company honest.