Add Comment Question: I work for a company that provides a service for a steel company as a contractor in Northern Ontario. I am in a union, but I feel that my union is not representing me as good as they should. Been employed for 14 yrs, and in those yrs have had back issues. I have been dealing with back issues for over 7yrs. Was on waiting list for a doctor and finally got a doctor to look into my issues. Anyway, long story short....Been dealing with my pain thru pain management and meds, which in the last 4 years has taken their toll. In 2016, had some issues with steel management, voiced my opinion and was written up by my company, but was not dismissed for them and also apologized to steelmakers management for the outspoken issues that I had. January of 2017 was contacted for back surgery and had the surgery done on January 20, 2017. My company took care of me for 6 months on STD, then went on LTD for a year. Did everything I was supposed to do to get back to work with physiotherapy and counseling of the meds I was on and got pain and med free. All was going good, they sent a physiotherapist in to assess my job at the steel mill and allowed him in to do so. That was in April of this year and I passed the physical to go back to work which was scheduled for July 16 2018. My LTD person and my physiotherapist and myself and my boss at my company signed off on a document for me to enter back into the workforce slowly, then back to full time on shift. My first day back was on July 16th this year and at 2pm was told that I was to leave to go home because my company didn't get me a proper gate pass to enter. They said we'll call you tomorrow to let you know when we will get your pass to come back to work. The steel mill management contacted my boss on duty at the time to come to their office. He thought he was getting my gate pass, but ended up with them telling him that I was not allowed on the steel mill property due to previous issues. That was it, my union has tried to contact the steel company to ask if I can come back, due to getting better and had no more attitude now that I was off the meds, but they won't even acknowledge us to set up a meeting for a reason why. Does the steel mill have the right to just say no and that's it? Do I have any rights as a contractor here? I was never told that I cannot come back to work previously before surgery and I apologized to management for my outbreaks and they accepted. Then a year and a half later they decide to try and get rid of me when I did everything to get better to keep my job. Do I have a chance of getting my job back? Can I just get a lawyer and go over my union's head to get my job back? I feel my union doesn't want to rock the boat so no one else gets put out. They feel if they rock the boat to much they may all get kicked out and have another company come in to do our job. I really need some professional advice here, my life is on the line here and I am 8 yrs from pension. I'm 56yrs old and don't think its time for a career change. Do I have a case here for being let go wrongfully? Also have not been paid by my company after using 4 weeks holiday's while waiting for an answer from the steel mill, and now it's been 2 weeks without pay. Sincerely yours.... Rick Answer: Hi Rick, thanks for writing to us. I am sorry to hear about how your employer is treating you. Unfortunately, you are not able to hire a private bar lawyer and "go over your union's head." You need to immediately contact your union representative and file a grievance. If you or anyone you know every requires our assistance in the future, never hesitate to reach out again. We wish you all the best! Your Comment * Your Email * Your Name * Your City Note, your name, city and email is not displayed on the website. It is used to notify you that we have approved your comment.