Know Your Rights

Some members are not contacting the union to accompany them to meetings which may result in disciplinary action. This your right and is called Weingarten Rights. It is extremely important to take advantage of this right. Too often the union is being contacted for assistance for the first time after a member has already been placed on AL (administrative leave without pay) or has been terminated.

More on Weingarten Rights - Insubordination can lead to disciplinary action. If you are asked to sign a statement to which you disagree – just write, “I am signing this statement under duress,” next to your signature. Refusal to sign can be considered insubordination. You may also add that you are acknowledging receipt of the notice only and do not agree with its contents.

Always ask a superior, “Is this a direct order?” whenever asked to do something you do not want to do. We must follow orders unless it is a violation of the law or a safety issue. A grievance can always be filed addressing the incident later.

Disciplinary steps get moved back as time progresses if there are no more disciplinary actions. If a year passes without further discipline, old instances can not be brought up in future cases.