CWA 4202/AT&T Wireless denied union bonus Springfield Illinois

I worked for AT&T Wireless for 8 years. We were in union negotiations all winter & part of spring. Contract was agreed upon, employees were informed we were approved for a $500.00 non strike bonus on 3-13-2009. This bonus was to be paid on our 5-15-2009 paycheck. I was terminated on 4-30-09 due to attendance connected to chronic illness. Union dues were taken from each and every paycheck. When I got my last paycheck on 5-15-2009 I did not have the $500.00 bonus. I filed a grieveance with the union, found out today I will not get the bonus as I was not an active employee on 5-15-2009. There is nothing in the union website stating this, all we were told was it was approved on 3-13-09 ( I was active then) and would be paid out on 5-15-2009.

All employees went through the ups and downs during the bargaining, not really knowing if we would strike or not.

I feel I am entitled to this money as I was employed when approved. Also, per the union response, I was not active so I didn't get the bonus, but UNION DUES were taken from my final paycheck.

I feel I was not only ripped off but also deceived.

Sherry
Springfield, Illinois
U.S.A.