If you are having a problem at work, your union is here to help.
Whether it’s clarifying a policy, addressing a dispute, or advocating for fair treatment, employees have several union resources at their fingertips. From seeking guidance from shop stewards to engaging directly with union representatives, individuals can ensure their concerns are addressed and their rights are respected.
Know your Rights
Do you know your Weingarten Rights?
As a union member, you cannot be forced into a disciplinary meeting without union representation there to advocate on your behalf, but you must clearly state your desire to have union representation present before or during the meeting.
These rights are called your “Weingarten Rights,” which were established by a 1975 Supreme Court decision.
To ensure you have clearly stated your desire for union representation, please read this to your supervisor:
After invoking your rights, your employer has three options:
- Grant the request and delay questioning until your union representative arrives and can consult privately with you
- Deny your request and end the meeting immediately
- Give you a clear choice between having the interview without representation, or ending the interview
Get Support
Talk to your shop steward
The first thing to do if you have a question or issue on the job is check in with one of your shop stewards. UFCW shop stewards are workers who are either elected or appointed as volunteers who help make sure the contract is followed properly and that their co-workers know their rights. Stewards may accompany workers at disciplinary meetings and represent you with management, similar to how a lawyer might represent you in court. Since union representatives often cover wide territories and cannot be in every worksite all at once, shop stewards act as the eyes and ears of the workplace. ctive and engaged shop stewards are the backbone of a strong union.
Reach out to your union representative
Shop stewards are members like you who work at your workplace and are employed by your same employers. Union representatives, on the other hand, are staff employed by the union and cover a number of stores, often over a wide geographic area. If you have a serious concern at work, please reach out directly to your union representative as soon as possible. Union representatives can file grievances and meet with management about issues that cannot be resolved by shop stewards.
Document any issues
If you have a problem at work, write down the details in a private journal with the dates and times the problems occurred, along with who was present or impacted when the incident(s) occurred. Having detailed notes can help your shop steward or union representative if a grievance needs to be filed.
Shop stewards are members like you who work at your workplace and are employed by your same employers. Union representatives, on the other hand, are staff employed by the union and cover a number of stores often over a wide geographic area. If you have a serious concern at work, please reach out directly to your union rep as soon as possible. Union reps can file grievances and meet with management about issues that cannot be resolved by shop stewards.
Health and Safety at Work
The UFCW’s 1.2 million members work in a variety of workplaces, and it is our job to ensure that each of our members know their rights regarding workplace safety and health.
Federal law entitles you to a safe workplace. Your employer must keep your workplace free of known health and safety hazards. You have the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation. You also have the right to:
- Receive workplace safety and health training in a language you understand.
- Work on machines that are safe and receive training on how to operate machinery safely.
- Refuse to work in a situation in which you would be exposed to a hazard.
- Receive required safety equipment, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls.
- Be protected from toxic chemicals.
- File an OSHA complaint, participate in the OSHA inspection process, and speak with the inspector.
- Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records.
- Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses by requesting a copy of the OSHA 300 Log.
- See results of tests taken to find workplace hazards and request a copy of the monitoring done to determine workplace hazards or exposure to toxic chemicals.
- The right to use the restroom during work hours.
Source: (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2024)
If you feel you are operating in unsafe working conditions, take the following steps:
- Talk to your shop steward and/or union representative about the issue.
- If you feel like you are in immediate danger, file a complaint directly with OSHA.