If you are covered by a union contract, you are probably protected from being fired without a good reason. If you are fired, and you believe there is not sufficient cause for your discharge, you should request the union to file a “grievance” on your behalf against the employer. In deciding whether to file your grievance or to take your case to arbitration, your union must represent you fairly. However, as long as your union takes reasonable steps to investigate your case, it may legally decide not to file your grievance or go to arbitration if it believes that your case does not have enough merit.
If you are covered by a union contract, you cannot take your case to court if it requires only an interpretation of your contract. Cases that can be taken directly to court because they do not involve your contract include most violations of public policy or law, such as discrimination on the basis of race, sex or disability.