Nimnim
The Nim
I've already said my position on how the punishment should have gone, but if it has gone this far, you're screwed with your actions.
If you said it and people could verify you said it, as alluded to with the union rep talking to people but not presenting it, then you should have admitted you were upset and in the heat of the moment your emotions got the best of you and you regret it while begging for forgiveness.
If you really did not say it, then you stick to that. Claim people misheard or whatever, but your word is your word and until you show it to be untrustworthy by changing your story that is your best chance.
I was once misheard and disciplined for "language" even though I never said what was claimed. I never changed my story, and at most I'd admit that what I said could be seen as unprofessional, but that is not a cardinal offense, and even if they tried to fire me over it I would not change my story. I said what I said, it might have been inappropriate, but if I ever changed my story about what I said I'd be violating my personal integrity and opening myself for discipline from dishonesty.
As your story has gone, someone claimed you said something you didn't, then when a meeting about it happened you said one thing then another. I don't care if your union rep convinced you to change your story, management will have on record with the meeting that you changed your story and you'll be hung out to dry.
If you said it and people could verify you said it, as alluded to with the union rep talking to people but not presenting it, then you should have admitted you were upset and in the heat of the moment your emotions got the best of you and you regret it while begging for forgiveness.
If you really did not say it, then you stick to that. Claim people misheard or whatever, but your word is your word and until you show it to be untrustworthy by changing your story that is your best chance.
I was once misheard and disciplined for "language" even though I never said what was claimed. I never changed my story, and at most I'd admit that what I said could be seen as unprofessional, but that is not a cardinal offense, and even if they tried to fire me over it I would not change my story. I said what I said, it might have been inappropriate, but if I ever changed my story about what I said I'd be violating my personal integrity and opening myself for discipline from dishonesty.
As your story has gone, someone claimed you said something you didn't, then when a meeting about it happened you said one thing then another. I don't care if your union rep convinced you to change your story, management will have on record with the meeting that you changed your story and you'll be hung out to dry.
". "Ah---we'll get back to you".
