Just Cause: A Union Guide to Winning Discipline Cases by Robert M Schwartz

In his most recent book, Robert Schwartz, Sensei of the Modern Labor Samurai, finally took his original work, The Legal Rights of Union Stewards, and filled in the missing sections, completing the picture.

While Legal Rights is a masterpiece of Union lore and technology, used daily at the workshop by delegates around the world, it was seriously lacking in detail on the basics of firing, discipline, and ways to counter it. .

Just Cause begins with the principles of just cause, insubordination, and off-duty misconduct. Dishonesty, sleeping on the job, and sexual harassment along with other crimes round out the crimes, but it doesn’t stop there. Not only does Schwartz regurgitate the same old rhetoric about the “seven tests of just cause,” but he goes further by providing the reader with a much more practical set of tests that includes due process tenants, substantial evidence, and extenuating circumstances. Subsequent chapters deal with advice on making complaints, requesting information and organizing support for complainants.

As with his previous books, Schwartz provides practical, real-world knowledge for the hard-working Joe Steward as well as the labor professional.

Again, footnotes and endnotes are provided to direct readers to relevant arbitral awards and court decisions, as well as a “Questions and Answers” section at the end of each chapter.

In addition to the sardonic illustrations, you’ll find an appendix of sample contract language, an appendix of just cause basics, and finally an appendix of the original Daugherty Tests (the original seven just cause tests).

I found it easy to understand and digest. He really dove into the nitty-gritty of the issues without getting bogged down in the legal gibberish you get from most books written by lawyers. This book is designed and written to be read and used in the workshop by the men and women who write, file, and process complaints.

Priced at just $20.00 plus shipping, this 174-page powerhouse is well worth the price. I recommend you buy two, because if you’re like me, you’ll be borrowing one before you know it.

Labor Rights Press

PO Box 391066

Cambridge, MA 02139

http://www.workrightspress.com

Mr. Schwartz has also published the FMLA Handbook, Winning Complaints and Strikes from Past Practices, Pickets, and Internal Campaigns. They are all available to order through his aforementioned website.

Enjoy!