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"Weingarten rights" derive from a 1975 Supreme Court case, NLRB v. J. Weingarten, Inc. Essentially, they are the right to request assistance from union representatives during investigatory interviews, so that a steward may prevent management from coercing an employee into confessions of misconduct (either through threatening behavior, or simply through skilled interrogation techniques). The union steward can:
Weingarten rights apply only in investigatory interviews -- that is, when management questions an employee to obtain information; and the employee has a reasonable belief that discipline (or other negative consequences) may result. If an employee is called in to a supervisor's office merely to be informed of a disciplinary decision, the courts have found that this is not an investigatory meeting. The decision to discipline the employee has already been made. However, if the supervisor asks additional questions about the employee's conduct, the meeting becomes an investigatory interview.
The employee may request union representation before, or at any time during, the interview. At that point, the employer must either grant the request and delay questioning until the steward arrives; deny the request and end the interview immediately; or give the employee the choice of having the interview without representation or ending it immediately. If the employer denies the request for union representation and continues the meeting, the employee has the legal right to refuse to answer questions. However, it is a good idea to phrase the refusal in such a way that it can not be interpreted as insubordination; for example, by saying that you are willing to write down their questions and respond once you've spoken to a union representative. Employers sometimes assert that the steward's only function in these meetings is to observe the discussion (a "silent witness"), but this is not the case. The steward is also allowed to advise and assist the employee in presenting the facts. Once the steward arrives:
The employer is under no obligation to inform employees of their right to representation. You lose your Weingarten rights if you do not assert them.
Question: Where does the right come from?
Answer: In the landmark Weingarten case, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a union-represented employee has the right to representation during an interview with management if he or she reasonably believes that disciplinary action will result. Although the right to union representation usually arises during an "investigatory interview," such an official setting is not required. Any conversation with management during which the employee is questioned and reasonably believes the questioning could lead to discipline triggers the right to union representation. (Note: Weingarten rights apply to private sector employees only. Unionized public sector employees usually enjoy similar rights but those are established by state law or collective bargaining).
Answer: A "reasonable belief" is based on an objective standard. When all the circumstances are evaluated, is it reasonable to believe that continued discussion could lead to disciplinary action? If so, the Weingarten right arises.
Answer: The employee must request union representation. The employer has no obligation to make sure a union steward is present during an investigatory interview, or even to advise the employee of their right to union representation. Therefore, it is very important that the union educate bargaining unit members about their right to representation and when to ask for it.
Answer: If an employee being questioned by a supervisor, a manager, a company security agent, or other company representative asks to have a steward present, the request must be granted or the interview stopped.
Answer: If a supervisor ignores a request for a steward and continues the interview, the employee should refuse to respond. The employee must be careful, however, not to do anything else that could be considered insubordinate. For example, the employee should not walk out of the interview. Rather, the employee should remain at the interview but advise the company representative that they are requesting a steward and will not answer questions without union representation.
Answer: No, If the employee's regular steward is not available, the employer need only provide a steward in order to lawfully continue the interview. However, the employer can not select a steward more to the employer's liking if the employee's regular steward is available.
Answer: Yes. When the union representative arrives at the interview, the employee has the right to consult with the steward privately before continuing the interview.
Answer: The investigatory interview is not a bargaining session or a grievance meeting and the employer is not obligated to bargain with the union representative. On the other hand, the employer cannot order the steward to remain silent. The steward is entitled to provide assistance and counsel during the interview. At the beginning of the interview, or when the steward arrives, the steward must be told the nature of the alleged misconduct. During the interview, the steward may request that a question be clarified. The steward may give advice to the employee on how to answer a question. The steward and the employee may confer privately regarding the question and answer. When the questioning ends, the steward may provide additional useful information. The steward may not tell the employee not to answer a question or to give a false answer. The steward may and should take notes throughout the interview.
Answer: If an employee advises the union that they requested union representation and it was denied, an unfair labor practice charge should be filed with the National Labor Relations Board. Ultimately, if the Union wins at the Board, the employer will have to post a notice and, hopefully, will learn that Weingarten rights must be granted.
Note: this article was written by an attorney addressed specifically to unions covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). CUE is covered by the Higher Education Employer-Employee Act (HEERA), and as such any unfair practices charges against UC should be filed with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).