Having a union is a little like living with your in-laws. Your prime relationship is with your employees. The union has a relationship with both you and the employees. To maintain good relationships with your employees, it is helpful to maintain good relationship with union representatives. These can usually be maintained through good communications and common courtesy. Important information should be communicated to union representatives at the same time it is communicated to employees. You don't like to be caught off-guard with surprises, neither do union representatives.
Although the collective agreement may give certain privileges to union representatives, they must respect rules like all other employees. If you believe there is abuse, review it with your Human Resources Department.
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