I was a union steward in the company I worked for. I am proud of what I did there.
A union steward is the in-store representative who is the go-between between the employees and management. While conducting union business the steward is on equal footing with management.
I used to greet each new training class personally to introduce myself. I would then give each new employee a copy of the union contract with the company. I explained that they should know their rights as covered by the contract. The union and the store basically wanted a safe successful place of employment.
Most of us think of the union steward as the person who will file a grievance for an employee. If the worker has a problem that cannot be solved by consulting with a manager the steward tries to negotiate a solution.
The steward also represents the employee during disciplinarian actions. It ensures that the tenets of the contract are upheld.
I sound like a virtuous person. I tried.
There was a conference held for representatives of various unions. There were lectures and seminars to offer learning opportunities. In the evenings we would gather to just enjoy ourselves.
One evening several people were sharing jokes and laughing heartily. Of course I had to join them.
I told a joke that had a person with a disability as the main character. I did not mean to hurt anyone. But it turns out I was wrong.
A woman took me to one side and told me that another woman left in tears. Her brother had that particular disability. She went to her room because I had hurt her.
I found out which room she was in and knocked on the door. She answered. I could see she had been crying.
I apologized to her. She graciously accepted. I learned a valuable lesson.
Words matter. They have the ability to cause real pain.
I should have known better. I will always be ashamed of that.
