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Every contract negotiated for the various Bargaining Units has provisions for how to handle situations such as worker discipline, whether for conduct on the job or, more likely, for job performance issues. These provisions outline your rights and describe the process that the company must follow to be sure that the results are fair and just.
Do you know what that process is? It varies between contract to contract and not every Bargaining Unit has reached the same set of agreements. One thing you should know: the company is under NO obligation to help you understand their particular approach to discipline. Worse, we've heard from several members (usually too late) that, when faced with the discipline process, they were afraid that calling in the union would "make it worse." So they got no help at all as they were forced through a legal process they didn't understand right up to termination.
Calling the Union is your right. It's expected. The company will not be any less aggressive in their investigations against you if you try to navigate the discipline process on your own. A well-run company wants to take advantage of every opportunity to make sure that discipline is fair and just. Every Bargaining Unit has a steward or access to our business agent to help handle discipline issues and it is your right to call in a steward if you think you're about to face discipline for job performance or workplace conduct.
Two things you should know about your Weingarten rights:
- The company is under NO obligation to remind you that you have a right to union representation in a discipline investigation. You must request the presence of a union rep, and then sit tight until one is provided to you.
- Once you request a steward the company MUST do one of three things:
(I) it can stop questioning until the representative arrives.
(2) it can call off the interview, or
(3) it can tell the employee that it will call off the interview unless the employee voluntarily gives up his/her rights to a union representative (an option the employee should always refuse.)
Discipline is just one time you may want to contact a steward, although it may be one of the most important. But if you have questions on provisions of the contract, or issues with other union members or certain issues with your manager, or just want to see how you can help the union in your Bargaining Unit, seek out your local steward (or contact the Business Agent if your unit is too small to have stewards) and have a conversation. That's one of the things stewards are for!
CMFG
Karen Maund, Chief Steward, [email protected]
Laura Lowry, [email protected]
Phil Miller, [email protected]
Nancy Dietzman-Mills, [email protected]
Susan Werner, [email protected]
Richard Oberle, [email protected]
MGE
Cliff Murray - Chief Steward, [email protected]
Nick Petrykowski, [email protected]
Rachel Rome, [email protected]
Jillian Fowler, [email protected]
Debi Stolts-Meier, [email protected]
Monica Neumaier, [email protected]
North Central State Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC)
Heather Hoemke, [email protected]
World Council of Credit Union (WOCCU)
open position
CUNA Inc.
Shawn San Roman - Chief Steward, [email protected]
OPEIU
Debi Eveland - Local 39 Business Agent, [email protected]
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