Know Your Rights
Weingarten Rights
Union members are never alone.
As a UFCW Local 152 member, you have the right to call on union representation (either your union representative or your union shop steward on the job) during any interaction with management that may lead to disciplinary action.
How do you exercise this right? You demand representation.
This is known as your Weingarten Rights, which gets its name from a landmark court case with the same name.
Your right to representation is not automatic.
1. You must request union representation.
To invoke your Weingarten Rights, you must specifically demand that a union representative or shop steward be present during the meeting.
2. Refuse to proceed without representation.
If a shop steward or union representative is unavailable, ask for the meeting to be rescheduled for a time when someone is available.
3. Never make a statement.
Anything you say can be used against you. Making NO statement is the most appropriate action.
Here's the statement that could save your job:
"If this discussion could result in me being disciplined or terminated, or affect my working conditions, I request my union representative or shop steward be present at this meeting. Without their presence, I choose not to participate in this meeting."