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W e i nga r t e n R i gh ts

Learn about Weingarten Rights that allow union representation during investigatory interviews to protect workers from potential discipline. Find out when these rights apply and what obligations employers have to ensure a fair process.

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W e i nga r t e n R i gh ts

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  1. WeingartenRights PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  2. N.L.R.B.v.Weingarten,Inc. • 420U.S.251(1975) • UnitedStates SupremeCourt • NLRAgoal:workersentitled to“mutualaid and protection” • Weingartenhelpsmeetthisgoal • Equivalentto6thAmendmentrightin acriminaltrial(righttoattorney) • Courtin Weingartenfound thatworkercouldnot be disciplinedforrefusing to cooperateinan investigatoryinterviewthat shereasonablybelievedwouldresultindisciplineafter being deniedunion representationwhenshe askedforit. PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  3. WeingartenBasics • AllowsaunionstewardtobepresentwhenALLofthese conditionsaremet: • Workerrequests representation • Investigatory interview • Workerreasonablyfearsdiscipline • BurdenisontheWORKER • Some CBAshave negotiated“Miranda-like”language– burdenonEmployer PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  4. Weingarten-Justification • Fear/UnevenPlayingField-Asingleemployeeconfronted by an employerinvestigatingwhethercertainconductdeservesdisciplinemaybe toofearfulorinarticulatetorelate accuratelytheincidentbeinginvestigatedortooignoranttoraiseextenuatingfactors. • UnionAssistance-Also,a knowledgeableunionrepresentativecouldassisttheemployerby bringingtolightfavorablefactsand save the employerproductiontimeby getting tothebottom oftheincidentatissue. PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  5. WhenWeingartenrights apply • Whenworkerreasonablyfearsdiscipline • Meetingsthatdonotstartoutinvestigatorybutbecomethatway • Meetingswhentheworkerdoesnotreasonablybelievehe/shewillfacedisciplinebutlaterrealizedisciplineispossible • Phoneinterviews • Polygraphs PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  6. WhenWeingartenRights (Usually) DON’Tapply • Whentheworkerdoesnotaskforunionrepresentation • Duringnon-investigations • Lockersearch • Urinetest • Duringadisciplinaryannouncement(i.e.noquestions) • UnlessEmployerbeginsaskingquestions PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  7. Weingarten–Employer Obligations • Employerhas3optionswhenanemployeeasksforasteward: • Grantthe request anddelayquestioninguntilasteward arrives • Denytherequestandend the interviewimmediately • Give theemployeethechoiceof: • Havingtheinterviewwithoutrepresentation • Endingtheinterview PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  8. Employer Obligations,part2 • Whenthestewardarrivesatthemeeting,theemployermust: • Informthestewardaboutthesubjectmatteroftheinterview • AllowthestewardtohaveaprivatemeetingwiththeBargainingUnitEmployee(BUE)BEFOREtheEmployer’squestioningbegins • Allowthestewardtospeakduringtheinterview(BUT,stewardcannotinsisttheinterviewend) • AllowthestewardtoobjecttoaconfusingquestionandrequiretheEmployer rephrase • Allowthestewardnottoanswerquestionsthataremisleading,confusing,orabusive • Allowthestewardtoprovideinformationtojustifytheworker’sconduct(oncetheinterviewends) • Caucuswiththeemployeeifneeded PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  9. Weingartenremedies • Employeecanrefusetoanswerquestions • Employee/UnioncanfileaULP • Inthearbitrationprocess–Weingartendueprocessviolation canleadtoreversalofdiscipline/discharge PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  10. Weingarten–Stewards’rights • NOTjusttoobserve • WitnessANDadvocate • Canenterameetingwherethestewardreasonablybelievesaworkerisbeinginterviewedandmaybedisciplined. PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  11. WeingartenQuestion1 Susan’sbosscallsherathomeandasksifshe knowsanythingaboutthefilesthataremissingfromtheoffice.DoesSusanhaveWeingarten rightsinthiscase?Whyorwhynot? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  12. WeingartenQuestion2 Juan’sbosscallshimintohisofficeandtellshim thatatoolboxismissingfromtheshopandhethinksJuanstoleit.DoesJuanhaveWeingarten rightsinthiscase?Whyorwhynot? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  13. WeingartenQuestion3 Leslie’sbossconductsalockersearchlookingforillegaldrugs.DoesLesliehaveWeingartenrights inthiscase?Whyorwhynot? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  14. WeingartenQuestion4 Tim’sbosscallshimintoherofficeandasksifhe stoletoolsthataremissing.Timasksifhecan haveasteward.HasTimexercisedhisWeingartenrightsinthiscase? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  15. WeingartenQuestion5 Barney’sbossscreamsandyellsatthestaffallthetimeandalwayswritespeopleup.Barney’sboss stopsbyhisdeskandyellstoBarneythathe’ssickandtiredofpeoplecomingbacklatetolunch andthathewantstoseeBarneyinhisofficein5minutes.DoesBarneyhaveWeingartenrightsin thiscase? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  16. WeingartenQuestion6 Mike’sboss tellshimthatshe is conductingan investigationinto stolenfiles andstartsaskingMike questionsaboutthis. Miketellstheboss that he wants his steward,Saul,tobe presentforthis meetingand that he is exercisinghisWeingartenrights. Thebosssays no becauseSaulis will be unavailablefor24hours. Can Mike ask thatthemeetingbe postponeduntilSaulis available? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  17. WeingartenQuestion7 Peter,anothersteward,isavailablenow,butMike andPeterdon’tgetalong.CanthebossmakeMikeusePeterashisstewardinstead? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

  18. WeingartenQuestion8 MikeagreestohavePeterhisstewardattheWeingartenmeetingwiththeboss.Theboss doesnotletPeterspeakduringthemeeting,ask anyquestions,ortalkinprivatewithMike.What canMike/Peterdo?WhatmightanarbitratordoifMikeisdisciplined? PUBLICEMPLOYEEDEPARTMENT

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