To most union members, their union's effectiveness is judged by its ability to settle grievances. Grievances and their handling are important not only because of the time they consume, but because they go to the very heart of unionism -- protecting the rights of the worker on the job, much the same way the American judicial system protects the rights of the citizen.

The steps of the grievance procedure give the member a chance to appeal his or her case through an organized channel of complaint, even up to the ranks of top management. The theory behind the grievance procedure is to resolve a dispute at the lowest level possible. If it cannot be resolved with those immediately involved, it is appealed to higher steps, removing the issue from those most closely involved in hopes that they can be objective in finding the fair solution.

Without the collective support of the union behind its members, the individual member would have little or no chance to force management to treat him or her fairly. With the joint support and resources of the union, a member can depend on the collective help of the union to see that each is given a fair shake.