First of all calm down....they cannot let you go especially now that they were not smart enough to actual say the fact they are going to let you go was due to your disease. Thanks to the American Disability Act that makes it illegal when they have not tried in good faith to work with your disease.
Please do not be afraid to go speak to your Union. You are one of 6% companies that still have one! They have managed to get rid of them by that amount. Sad..but I know some Unions went too far but most were good and just wanted to have good relationship between employees and company. Like this...not firing a great worker instead of trying to be creative and come up with way to keep you on...especially when no one else wanted that other job.
So i think you may be more like me where you like to try and handle it on your own. So first do let your Union know...at least you use them as witness to what is being said in any meetings you may have to try and keep your job.
I shall correct that...you will keep your job without a major stress and legal fight.
First think of all the reasons why they should keep you on.....great reviews ...things you know how to do that not many other do...how hard worker you have and still are as your health allows. Customers that love you ..if that is part of it....anything at all that you can bring to your side why you are such a great employee.
Also...they can give you benefits at pt hours even with Union...the Union will only be happy for you..so that if they say they cannot because of Union it is not true. I went to part time with full benefits with a union!!
Often bosses like to blame things on the union so they do not look bad. That is positive side of Unions for employers....Union wont let us do this or that...give you large raise...everyone than will have to get it..baloney.
Also think of ways you can work that would really work best for you....like working from home 2 or 3 days per week. If you can do it from home and you show them that you are producing even more than if you were at work maybe they will let you work from home full time. You might have to try hard to be better than average on your good days to show you really are trying hard to be excellent employee.
Get your doctors involved...they can write letters that your employer must do what they say...i did not know that until my rheum told me. I was getting too tired and he found out how many hours i was working even at PT ..so he wrote letter stating no more OT for me....of course it was not a rule that i could really just follow...i worked at newspaper so if late breaking news happen than of course i had to stay later. But what i did do was get it going than handed it over to employees that worked later hours and that did work. so think of ways like this to be creative about how you work not so many hours but get the job done..
But really speak to all your doctors involved with your lupus...they might just state to you that now you might have to take hard look and apply for disability. I do not think you sound like you are ready for that yet and most doctors agree to keep working is a one of the most positive things you can do for yourself...and i agree. Keep working till you think you are going to die because you are so tired.
Also do not tell them right out that it was illegal for that boss to say because of your SLE he feels you should be let go...do not let Union rep tell them as well. IF you think your rep will than do not tel them about it till you are ready. Like last resort....because either they will back down or they will say go ahead and fight us. Odds are once the state labor dept gives them a call they will back down and after speaking to their lawyers. but in case they go for fight....try positive way to keep you on and give you that job.
Like if they give you medical can you give up dental? be honest with yourself if you feel you need it than you need it so do not bargain with it. But you might look at some you can buy...Costco actually had /has decent plan. So if you can afford to buy theirs...and give yours up...would be tool to say if you give me medical i will not take dental so you will save money. See how i am going? But do not give up anything you want to keep. Like vacation or sick hours.
Can you work holidays and weekends? I worked weekends which worked out just fine for me since my husband had days off in middle of week so was better for us. I am trying to give you lots of ways to work with them so they will want to keep you.
But if worse comes down....than contact your state labor board....online most states have complaint form that you can fill out online. Or you might want to go speak to them in person...but i am positive they will stand behind you and once your employer gets call from them ...you shall have your job back.
I worked full time ...as i was originally hired when diagnosed though i knew i been sick for all my late teens on. AFter few years my doctor said it is time i go down to 4 days at least...which is what i did. I recall feeling so bad and hated it...than in 2 or 3 more years had to go down to 3 days per week. I was still given a job i had thought of years earlier...the people who would be working with agreed that they did not care if i was only there 3 days. But in truth with all the phone calls at home i often worked almost full day which angered my husband. Eventually, after 20 years of working there i finally had to say i just could not go on and do the job in the way i felt it deserved.
My boss and CEO both said to me that they wish i stay and work what ever hours i could and that a job was always there for me. They even offered me a raise with less hours....but i was too tired. It was right thing. So if anything you can tell them about me...and that you know you can work and do the job well still. I would work through flares...i took days off only if i could hardly not get out of my bed. The pain also increased and i wish i had told the Rheum doctor that i needed better pain control ...pain meds. I really think i could have worked at least 4 or 5 more years with those...but i had great life with husband with the free time! Thankfully we had plan for the day when i might have to quit..so we did not have big homes or new cars every so many years....but we were happy and i was very happy when day came when i said good bye. Though i really miss them....and keep in touch with many of my coworker friends and bosses. But not working did hurt my self esteem greatly. I had always supported myself one way or another and it was hard to not have my own money etc. So try and keep working as long as you can it does keep you feeling useful in this world though now you can help others and do fun things..always something to do.
Okay....if you doctors say that it is time to go on disability...than i would still tell your boss that it was illegal for them say that reason they felt you should be fired was due to your disease. That after speaking with your doctors the feel that it is time for you to get more rest and take better care of your body. i do not thik they will but in case they do...
So write out a plan why they should give you that job..state all your assists and even talk about going part time with benefits. Also, it will be your choice about how much info you want to give them regarding your disease...that is not okay for them to ask how you are actually doing etc. So if you do not want to speak about to one boss it is okay and legal. But you might say how well you are most of the time....Also if you only have had 2 years those are hard years because you are just beginning to understand about it. That most people do start doing better after 2 years because they understand what is going on and how it affects your body. Not as fearful anymore.
So i hope i have helped....but i feel you can easily do that job...and be great if you could do it from home. I take it you have no husband for benefits. Partner of any kind? Most states allow you to get benefits off your long term partner...that might be option. i am trying to think of anything that might help.
But please do not let them bully you out of this job!! We must stick to our guns and besides the law is on your side. Just be yourself, calm and not defensive....be open to hearing their ideas. You might try speaking with you boss and see what he thinks...do not let him know that if they still say no...you can go to state...until the guy who actually said it...is around. He is one responsible for not caring and breaking the law.
But i have gut feeling that you will talk your way into part time with benefits ...really hope you do! Good luck...sure you can do it...and you have every reason to feel frustrated after you have tried so hard.
Remember ..that your doctors are there to keep you working...so work as close as possible with them. Let them help you...i did not know that and mine really helped a lot.
Just remember if you get ra with it...and it becomes painful... get pain medication that was huge mistake on my part.
sorry so long.....hope this really helps you to keep your job.i know how important it is for not just income but state of our minds. GOOD LUCK but sure you are going to keep it!! MUCH LOVe , lg