NY- Employee in Training

I am 57 years old and belong to a union.  There was a downsizing last month but I was saved by being transferred to a new position in a different building. The new position requires training for me and I am doing my best even though the training hasn't been complete. My supervisor pointed out to me a task that didn't get done, but my trainer did not know how to do it, so I was never taught how and I had no choice but to put it aside. 

Last week I received a registered letter at home stating that I am being brought before management and labor relations to discuss my job performance and I can bring union representation.  I asked my supervisor what was going on, and told him I am doing my best under the circumstances of being new, but he didn't respond.   I feel this pressure being inflicted on me while I am in training might be harrassment to get me to quit, but my union doesn't label my situation as harrassment. 

I was told I could even be suspended for poor job performance!  How can a person be called in front of management and labor relations for poor job performance while in training? What would happen if I was suspended,  would I be paid,  would I collect unemployment in N.Y. if suspended?

I was wondering if I should consult an employment discrimination attorney, and I am open to any suggestions or advice from anyone kind enough to respond to me.

Thank you.

You have no need for an attorney at this point.  Your union should address this situation with management if you are disciplined for poor performance on tasks for which you have not been properly trained.  You are entitled to union representation at a meeting during which disciplinary action is anticipated and you will have that.

jplata:

The new position requires training for me and I am doing my best even though the training hasn't been complete. My supervisor pointed out to me a task that didn't get done, but my trainer did not know how to do it, so I was never taught how and I had no choice but to put it aside.

Have you asked anyone how to perform the task which you put aside?

The trainer might be telling your supervisor that you are unable to learn the job and that they have showed you numerous times how to do things but you don't pick them up.

I would not ask your supervisor what's going on but ask if you can possible discuss your training and see what can be one to get you the skills that you need.

I have trained people and seen people trained so I know what a good worker looks like and I know when people will never be able to learn. If your supervisor is good they will know was well. When in doubt ask, ask, ask!!!

Its not clear that in the bumping process if management is MANDATED under your CBA to provide training.  It could be that bumping has some presumption that you can perform the necessary tasks built into CBA--so be darn careful of waht the CBA says.

EG if to hold the position requires that you be able to perform tasks #1-20 and you cannot perform  tasks #17 and #19 --it may not follw that since you were not trained on them by trainer that such is a valid excuse under CBA--even though it seems logical that not being trained on a perticular task is one good reason not to be able to do it.--Or you want to be able to show past practice of firm is to provide all relevant training.

Lest you get thrown under the bus for some other cause I think youwant to be darn sure your union rep backs you up--and better yet you can docuement that trained did not instruct you on said specific tasks even after you requested said training or he clearly said I cannot train you on same--you want trainer to back up your version! You do not want trainer to have memory failure!

You can be called to task for poor performance.

And if fired for performance it could kill  UC

Do NOT take this lightly--your job is on the line ---and management is NOT there to protect you!

You may well have been set up--if trainer is "unavailable" or has memory failure you have a major clue.