During my time as chief steward for this local, the bane of my existence and the cause of untold hours of aggravation, and frustration was when a member said, “I don't want to make waves”. Every time I heard that phrase it mad my blood boil. The reason being, that the member would come to me with what they thought was a violation of the collective agreement, and as soon as I said that they would have to file a grievance out came that phrase.
There are a couple of thing wrong with this line of thinking. First off a person has the ability to disagree with something that they feel is unfair. In every aspect of life we have the ability to disagree with decisions that are made. If you are over charged for your water bill, you file a complaint to get your money back. If you feel that you have wrongfully been given a parking ticket, you can go to court and have it overturned. You wouldn’t say “Oh well, I don't want to make waves so I will pay the extra to the water company”. So why should our place of employment be any different ?
Another thing is that when we all started working here, the employer made a deal with us. In a nut shell they said we will pay you this much money and you will give us a certain type of conduct. They did not make a deal, that in any way gives up your right to disagree with something that may be unfair or a violation of our collective agreement. They did not make a deal to purchase your heart, mind and soul with a paycheque. If that is what you allowed them to purchase from you, you gave up entirely too much for the amount of money they are paying you.
Having said that, let me make something very clear, in no way am I suggesting that you commit violations of our S.O.P.,I.C.M., or any other rule or law.
In any club, business or government, Change does not occur by remaining silent. I understand that silence is safer and without risk, but if change is expected you must assume some sort of risk
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