Know Your Rights
Did you know...
...as a union member, you're protected by "Weingarten"
rights. This means you have the right to union representation
when supervisors question you about mistakes or alleged wrongdoing.
Weingarten rights are a big protection against management intimidation.
How do they work?
Weingarten rights apply during "investigatory interviews,"
conversations when managers question you to get information, and
when you have a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse
consequences may result from what you say. You can invoke your
Weingarten rights and ask for a union shop steward to join in
on your behalf.
Can you give me an example of investigatory
interviews?
They involve things like absenteeism; accidents; compliance with
work rules; damage to company property; drinking; drug use; falsification
of records; fighting; insubordination; laziness; poor attitude;
poor work performance; sabotage; slowdowns; theft; and violations
of safety rules.
What can a shop steward do for me during
these conversations?
Stewards can take you aside for a private pre-interview conference
before questioning begins. They serve as a witness to prevent
supervisors from lying about the conversation. They can interrupt
to object to intimidating tactics. They can speak on your behalf
and warn you against losing your temper. They can advise you not
to answer questions that are abusive, misleading, badgering, confusing
or harassing.
How do I use my Weingarten rights?
You may ask for union representation before or during the interview.
It's always safer to ask for a steward, even if you're not sure
you'll need one.
What happens next?
Employers have only three choices: they can grant your request
and delay questioning until your union rep arrives; deny the request
and end the interview immediately; or give you the choice of continuing
without representation (usually a mistake) or ending the interview.
If the boss denies your request for union representation and keeps
questioning you, he or she commits an unfair labor practice. You
may refuse to answer.
For more information, please click
here.
Don't know who your steward is? Find out in the Pacific
Northwest Newspaper Guild leadership directory.
