https://www.senseofthisshit.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/union-steward-basics--7172849/support.]]>enBusiness© 2026 Let's Work This Sh*t Outhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a9bc14a1b8854a995abe99eca6ea4807.jpghttps://www.senseofthisshit.comWed, 26 Aug 2026 06:08:06 +0000SterlingLet's Work This Sh*t Outunion@senseofthisshit.comUnion 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...
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/union-steward-basics--7172849/support.]]>false1e5820a9-f60d-56bf-b03e-782626f3e602episodicSupport the podcast!https://www.spreaker.com/episode/union-steward-basics-main-episode-for-2026-07-22--74235021
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/podca...]]>3b1afd34-a4ed-5aad-9c9a-6dd360872772Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:00:09 +0000SterlingIn 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...
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/podca...]]>267basics,complaint,contract,discipline,grievance,labor,meeting,member,notes,practice,representation,rights,roleplay,steward,union,unionbasics,unionsteward,violation,weingarten,workplacefalse13fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/union-steward-basics-main-episode-for-2026-07-15--74093539
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/podca...]]>2eed9479-b60f-59e1-9a14-6451655b1ac3Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:00:10 +0000SterlingIn 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...
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/podca...]]>318basics,caseload,checklist,contract,delegate,grievance,habit,labor,member,notebook,organize,practice,rights,steward,supervisor,timeline,union,unionbasics,unionsteward,workplacefalse12fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/navigate-new-steward-first-90-days-weingarten-scripts-grievance-notes--72935305
- 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/podca...]]>c31907e9-b66f-407b-9d79-bb98a37d917bSun, 12 Jul 2026 04:55:28 +0000SterlingIn 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...
- 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/podca...]]>277collectivebargaining,employeerights,grievancehandling,grievanceprocedure,gripevsgrievance,investigationnotes,laborrelations,laborunion,membercomplaints,newstewardfirstdays,shopsteward,stewardnotes,unionbasics,unionrepresentation,unionsteward,unionstewardbasics,uniontraining,weingartenrights,weingartenscripts,workplaceinvestigationfalse11full