Weingarten Rights

The right of employees to have union representation at investigatory interviews was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1975 case (NLRB vs. Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251, 88 LRRM 2689). These rights have become known as the Weingarten rights.

Employees have Weingarten rights only during investigatory interviews. An investigatory interview occurs when a supervisor questions an employee to obtain information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his or her conduct.

If an employee has a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse consequences may result from what he or she says, the employee has the right to request union representation. Management is not required to inform the employee of his/her Weingarten rights; it is the employees responsibility to know and request.

When the employee makes the request for a union representative to be present management has three options:

1. 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 emplovee should always refuse.)

Employers will often assert that the only role of a union representative in an investigatory interview is to observe the discussion. The Supreme Court, however, clearly acknowledges a representative's right to assist and counsel workers during the interview.

The Supreme Court has also ruled that during an investigatory interview management must inform the union representative of the subject of the interrogation. The representative must also be allowed to speak privately with the employee before the interview. During the questioning, the representative can interrupt to clarify a question or to object to confusing or intimidating tactics.

While the interview is in progress, the representative can not tell the employee what to say but he may advise them on how to answer a question. At the end of the interview the union representative can add information to support the employee's case.

Source: http://wa.aft.org/resources/weingarten-rights

AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin 2023-05

In this week's addition:

HB 514: The Edelblut/Cordelli Book Ban 

HB 441: A New Version Of “School Choice”  

ACTION ALERT
You can sign in and OPPOSE HB 514 and HB 441 and make sure the House Education Committee knows that New Hampshire supports our public schools and will push back against those who would harm public education.

Here’s the link to submit your opposition:  Remote Sign-In

You will need to submit your opposition to each bill.

Step 1: Fill in your personal information.

Step 2: Select February 8th at 9:45am for HB 514. Select February 7th at 9:30am for HB 441.

Step 3: Select House Education Committee

Step 4: Select Bill Number (HB 514 and HB 441) [You need to submit the form twice.]

Step 5: Select a member of the public and you are representing yourself.

Step 6:  Select OPPOSE

Step 7: Click Submit.

Thank you for your taking the time to have your voice heard on these important issues.