Union members have the right to union representation during any conversation with a supervisor or manager that could lead to discipline.
These rights have been upheld by the Supreme Court and they are known as Weingarten Rights. This means that you have the right to Union Representation when management is conducting any kind of investigation, be it into your numbers or an accident.
If management calls you into the office or talks to you about your job performance, an accident, or anything that could lead to discipline, ask for your shop steward.
Your steward has the right to know what the meeting is about and to meet with you to talk before the meeting starts.
You also have a right to take a break during the meeting and talk to your steward privately. Just say you want to go in the hallway and “caucus” with your steward.
Use a caucus to ask questions, to fill your shop steward in on important facts and to get on the same page.
