Your Right to Representation — You are guaranteed the right to have a union representative with you when you feel a conversation between you and your supervisor may result in your being written up or losing a contractual benefit you currently have.  Ask that the meeting be stopped so that you can get someone to be in the meeting with you. (Also known as the Weingarten Doctrine.)

If the supervisor stops the meeting, it can be resumed at any time convenient to all parties or it may not be resumed at all.  If the meeting is not stopped:

• Ask again that the meeting be stopped so you can get a union representative.
• Should the meeting continue, be as polite but as noncommittal as possible until the meeting is adjourned.  You may repeat your request to stop the meeting until a union representative can be with you.  When the meeting is over, call your local president or your association rights' representative as soon as possible to discuss why your request to stop the meeting was not granted.

Remember — You may feel very awkward and it may be extremely difficult to make this request to your supervisor.  However, more than likely your supervisor has been trained regarding this right to representation and will likely stop the meeting so you can get a member to be with you.  The administration has not violated your right to representation until you have asked to be represented and that request has been denied.

Ideally, your representative should be a rights committee member or the building rep.  It can also be another member with whom you feel comfortable.

Obey Now  Grieve Later is the standard rule; unless obeying a supervisor's order would cause the employee:

• To commit an illegal act, or
• Jeopardize the employee's life or safety outside the routine requirements of the employee's job.

What is a Grievance? — A grievance is your first amendment right to petition for redress of grievance...More...