What to do about it?? Hell, where do I sign up?

- Neruda

having dealt with a union shop myself for 3 years as a non union manager, here's what you do...

a) become an expert on the union contract. use their rules against them. i would be willing to bet that he can't attend uninvited. the union steward will always attend, but attendance by the druid is likely not allowed.

b) if the druid insists upon attending, find a way to schedule these meetings when he has a more important mgmt v. union fuction to attend. he will not blow off a mgmt mtg to attend a communication session.

c) find his most feared enemy and invite that person into the meeting. no doubt, there is someone either in the union or in management that he fears. use his fear to your advantage.

d) turn his "people" against him. without a doubt, his comments offend his union members. once he starts up with the getting in touch theme, begin asking others in the meeting how his comments make them feel. use their levels of disgust against him.

e) make certain you have your management in the loop on this issue. the druid will complain to them once you begin turning the tables on him. make certain they have your back.

f) even as the union prez, he likely has a "job" within the company. likely, he needs permission to attend these sessions. if he does not have permission, he could be cited as not at his job and could eventually be sanctioned if this is a chronic issue.

so, if you really want to go toe to toe with the druid, it will be a long battle. depending upon the union workforce, it may or may not be worth it. if they want better communication and he is stifling them, go for it. if they play along with his stupid games in these meetings, don't waste your time.

good luck....

Union or not, druid or not, essence toucher or not, this guy has to abide by the same rules every other employee must abide by. I would expect that includes not making other employees uncomfortable with his language, actions, etc. In other words, no harassment. Jerk-offs like this guy (pun intended) only behave this way when they get away with it.

"And because of his religious beliefs, he is allowed to say the most inappropriate things to other employees..."

Huh? Maybe I'm not up on the latest Respectful Workplace training, but since when do your religious beliefs give you carte blanche to say whatever you want, regardless of how offensive it may be?

Neruda---you could call the company "Spanky and Our Gang." Not often that someone trumps a Crecenzo story, but that one did it for me. Succinctly too =)

Sorry about the misspelling, Steve; I certainly know better. Give me three lashes with a soggy olive from your last martini.

"Spanky and Our Gang!" Good one, Laurel. Are you ghostwriting for Mr. C?

Bizarre!

OK...I'm not an expert on harassment, but I don't think that even someone's religious beliefs make it OK for them to talk about anything sexual at work. If this were my problem, I'd have to check with Legal and Human Resources, but I don't think that Jerk's religion is an excuse to be inappropriate or permission to break the law.

Is it possible to go over Jerk's head within the union and explain that the union members are being invited to the focus group so that their opinions may be included and considered. By Jerk not allowing them to talk, he's not really protecting them so much as limiting their voices. I would think that the union folks (in particular) would want to be heard.

What a nightmare!

I think you should just get your own witch to cast a spell/voodoo on him. If he's really a druid, bring some mistletoe as that's where the Druids used to get their power.

I am officially converting though to Druidism. Do you get issued a robe or have to buy your own?

I'm thinking this guy's Druid robe is a bathrobe.

I am also confused about how religious beliefs and masturbation go hand in hand, pun intended.

My husband is a union man, and I know that they have strict guidelines about what they can and cannot do in the workplace and on the jobsite. Knowing this, it is one of the most inappropriate offices I have ever seen.

I guess I'm wanting more details, what does she mean "head of the union" - I would be curious to know his specific title, is he the BA? With more information, I could ask my husband what, if anything can possibly be done. Is it the electricians union, because they're all crazy!