Your Weingarten Rights

Union members are entitled to union representation, particularly during disciplinary investigations, where an employer may attempt to coerce them into making incriminating statements against themselves or their colleagues. That means you never have to face your boss or HR alone; you can ask for your union representative to be present.

This right to representation is referred to as an employee’s Weingarten rights and was established in a 1975 United States Supreme Court decision, NLRB v. Weingarten, Inc.

Suppose you are called into a meeting with management and believe that disciplinary action may occur. In that case, you should invoke their Weingarten rights by reading the following statement to management:

“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I request my union representative be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any questions.”

Please cut out the card below and keep it on you. If you do not feel comfortable reading the above statement, you can present the card to management.