How to argue your position

Evidence is key to winning the grievance

Collect all the evidence you can, quantify it, make it trustworthy, and present it well for maximum impact

Arguing your grievance is like arguing a court case. You must have evidence to support your claims. Your evidence should be trustworthy, quantified, and positive. Many grievances (and court cases) are lost because the evidence is there, but it is not presented well enough to carry the argument.

In your research of your grievance, you will have collected evidence in the form of documents, records, photographs, and eye-witness testimony.

Testimony is the most common evidence provided at grievance hearings. Unfortunately, it is also the most difficult evidence to use successfully.

Use concrete evidence to back up testimony

Too often, grievances are argued entirely on the basis of testimony. You should always be on the lookout for ways to introduce concrete evidence, such as records, documents, and photographs.

Even one piece of concrete evidence can make a big difference. For example, you might have some very good testimony about a notice posted on the bulletin board, but you have a stronger case if you have a copy of the notice to show. Likewise, your witnesses might do an excellent job of describing an event, but a photograph of the location can help the arbitrator visualize where everything was and how things happened far better than any testimony.

---

To learn more about the educational opportunities available from the International, or to schedule a steward training session for your local lodge, contact the Education and Training Services Department.