kjm -- "in our office our PM is telling us RCAs we are not in a leave earning status so they are not required to approve any leave for us…"
-- Please take a blank 3971 ( or you have filled out ), HIGH LIGHT the words on the top of the form: "REQUEST FOR OR NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE" and give it to the PM.
-- All you have to do is check "OTHER" in the Type of Absence, and voila, it is not a "leave slip"! It is a request to be absent by some who does not earn leave.
-- Sure, we all, for the most part, incorrectly call the 3971 a "Leave Slip" -- that's on us. It is the RCA's way to let manglement know of not being available ( if approved ) -- it's manglement's job to manage and schedule, so let manglement find a replacement.
-- If the Assistant District Representative ( ADR ) isn't any help, apparently like your steward, there is the District Representative ( DR ) to go to.
-- Have the RCA's keep their denied 3971's for future reference / proof, should the need arise.
-- BTW -- keep submitting 3971's.