[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by fleury

Let go while working as a 20 year old in concessions at the ACC, paying my way through university. Such a corrupt organization (MLSE) at the time where so many people at various levels were all in for themselves. My story was that I found a lost wallet, a coworker said he was heading to fan services so he could hand it in, so I gave it to him but instead he kept it. I go into work the following day, and I'm brought to the offices where I'm grilled for a couple hours by the head of security, and then cops. The officers were cool, but the head of security was an ass. Anyway, the coworker said we split the contents (which we certainly didn't), and we were put on unpaid investigation leave. A few weeks later, brought in, given a letter by management saying I was let go for cause, then they proceeded to give me a meeting with the union. I ask the union if they'll fight it for me and being the corrupt organization they are (Teamsters) said they couldn't do anything because another member made the claim against me. They also said the police could possibly be on their way up as we spoke, and the only way to get away from the firing was to quit right there and then. They also said I'd never get a professional job once school is done, especially for theft. I said I had nothing to do with it besides handing the wallet to the guy (which was the reason for the firing). I felt the immediate pressure, drafted a letter saying I quit, then left. Realizing I was bamboozled, I contacted my mom's employment lawyer friend, who said there was little recourse as it was a union who had to fight, but he would put in a letter for them to do their job, but they responded sarcastically. That letter cost me $500, and he was a top lawyer and said they were a bunch of bullies to respond that way. I just wanted an official apology letter back, but they never did that. Crazy that management was in cahoots with the union there. It was a fun environment despite the incompetence and cut throat coworkers, but the entertainment value and pay were excellent as a student.

Just a heads up, if that was their response then your mom's lawyer friend bamboozled you as well. If what you're saying happened is true you could have filed a duty to fair representation complaint against your Union. It sucks that trusting a coworker to do the right thing resulted in you getting fired, but in all likelihood MLSE probably had some sort of policy relating to this sort of thing and I doubt giving the wallet to a non manager was the protocol. So if that was the reason they gave you for the firing, then it would appear that they had just cause. Once that wallet goes missing and you've admitted to having had it in your possession after your coworker has told them you kept half before you ever brought the matter to their attention, you're in a tough spot.