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| Not your Grandfather's union meeting. |
Can you deal with a bully boss? These young Teamsters sure can! In a June 25th training session with attorney Jason Rabinowitz, a group of young Teamsters from Local 856 learned how to deal with bad bosses.
Doris Garcia, an accounts payable clerk at Carcione’s Fresh Produce, has always had good bosses. However, as a 27-year-old Teamster, she wanted to know more about workers rights. She realizes she may have a bad boss some day, and she wants to help co-workers with grievances they may have with their bosses.
Rabinowitz, who is also an instructor at UC-Davis, taught her how to defend herself and her co-workers against bully bosses. He discussed what qualifies as workplace harassment and explained what falls under legal guidelines and what does not. He described both the legal route and the non-legal route for taking action against a bully boss.
“Knowing alternatives to legal action, knowing that you can come together to create change by signing petitions or organizing a walk-out, that was the most beneficial part of the training,” said Garcia.
Cristina Garcia, a 24-year old Teamster employed at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel, echoes her Teamster sister. “The training explained that by all uniting together, backing each other up and standing up to managers as a unit creates one of the best opportunities for positive change,” said Garcia. Rabinowitz also taught young Teamsters how to sign petitions and obtain restraining orders in cases of harassment and violence.
Although Cristina Garcia has never had a bully boss, she has seen her co-workers in uncomfortable situations with their bosses. She was excited to see the Teamsters offering a training on this often overlooked topic.
Doris Garcia explained, “It is a relief to know that I can come to my local with a grievance and know that people are backing me and will help me to improve my situation.”
The training was held at the Handlery Hotel in San Francisco.
