Suspended Before Proof: How the Union Won Justice for Kojaun Kendricks
Too often, workers are punished first and asked questions later. That’s exactly what happened to Kojaun Kendricks — and it’s why having a strong union and active stewards makes all the difference.
The Situation
Kojaun Kendricks was suspended by the Company after being accused of assaulting someone.
The decision was made quickly, before the Union had the opportunity to investigate or verify the claim. Like many workers in these situations, Kojaun was removed from work and lost income based solely on an allegation.
The Union Steps In
Chief Steward April Glenn immediately filed a grievance and began investigating the situation.
Instead of relying on assumptions, the Union focused on the facts:
• Speaking with the right people
• Reviewing what actually happened
• Challenging the Company’s decision
“The company acted on an accusation,” April said. “The union acted on the facts.”
Through that investigation, it became clear: no assault had occurred.
What the Company Got Wrong
Even after the truth came out, the Company’s response still fell short.
• Kojaun had already been sent home for multiple days
• The suspension was based on a false allegation
• The Company returned him to work
• But initially refused to provide back pay
In other words, they corrected the decision, but not the damage.
The Hidden Work of the Union
This is where the Union’s work often goes unseen.
April Glenn didn’t stop at getting Kojaun reinstated. She continued pushing, escalating the issue to upper management and making it clear that fairness meant making the worker whole.
That included:
• Holding the Company accountable for lost wages
• Continuing the grievance process after reinstatement
• Refusing to accept a partial resolution
The Outcome
Because of that persistence, the Company ultimately did the right thing.
Kojaun received $884.85 in back pay for the time he was wrongfully sent home.
Why Stories Like This Matter
This case shows exactly why union representation matters, even for good employees who do everything right.
• Workers can be disciplined based on accusations alone
• Management doesn’t always investigate fully before acting
• Without representation, lost wages may never be recovered
• The Union ensures facts, fairness, and accountability
Kojaun’s case could have ended very differently.
Instead, the Union stepped in, uncovered the truth, and made sure he wasn’t just brought back, but made whole.
✊ Union strong. Justice delivered.
A Note About Grievances
Every grievance situation is unique. Outcomes can vary depending on the specific facts of the case and the language in your specific collective bargaining agreement. Similar situations may be resolved differently depending on the details involved and the protections written into each union contract.