Weingarten Rights

You may be familiar with the "Miranda warnings" given by police. The Miranda warnings notify criminal suspects of their rights, including the right to a lawyer and to remain silent. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court did not impose a notice requirement in its Weingarten decision. Employers have no obligation to inform workers of their right to request union representation. This is the Union's job.

When called into a meeting by your employer or manager, and you suspect that the purpose of this meeting may be for discipline, you have the legal right to state the following: 

"If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working condition, I respectfully request that my union representative, officer, or steward be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any questions."