The Power of Advocacy: Shop Stewards in Disciplinary Meetings

One of the most fundamental and important rights that union members have is Weingarten Rights. These rights entitle union employees to have a union representative present during investigatory interviews that they reasonably believe could lead to disciplinary action.

No one is comfortable being called into a meeting with management where they are either facing their own discipline or witnessing the discipline of a co-worker. In some circumstances, the content of these meetings can be private and personal. It's easy to see why someone might decline to have a Shop Steward present—fear of embarrassment or judgment—but it's critical that union members take advantage of their right to have a witness at these meetings.

Shop Stewards are trained to be advocates for union members, as well as witnesses, ensuring that due process obligations are followed. We spend time in training discussing the importance of confidentiality, non-judgment, and empathy, especially in sensitive situations.

Shop Stewards can assist in preventing members from making common missteps during these meetings, such as:

• Providing excessive information or making admissions without understanding the potential implications, which could inadvertently harm their case.

• Letting emotions take over, leading to confrontations or statements that might be regretted later.

• Not reviewing relevant documents or facts before the meeting, or not taking the time during the meeting to review documents presented, resulting in incomplete or inaccurate responses.

• Feeling pressured to agree to management’s terms or disciplinary actions without seeking advice or considering alternative options.

• Failing to document the meeting details, which can lead to misunderstandings or disputes about what was said or agreed upon.

It is not uncommon for members to hesitate to contact a Shop Steward for help, especially in sensitive situations. While disclosing sensitive information to HR or management, as well as to a co-worker, is a common and understandable concern, the value of having an advocate present cannot be overstated.

Shop Stewards are trained to handle these meetings with the utmost confidentiality and only discuss the details with necessary individuals, such as the Business Representative. Members can rest assured that their issues and concerns will be treated with the highest level of respect and discretion.