Your Basic Legal Rights as a Union Member

The Grievance Procedure

Have a workplace problem?

Contact your union steward!

If you’re not sure who your union rep is, check out your unit page. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact the Local 1459 office.

Each individual union contract provides for an efficient and effective grievance procedure to handle any problem that may occur at your workplace. The grievance procedure exists to enforce the collective bargaining agreement your union makes possible.  It is important that you follow the rules and regulations of the grievance procedure in your contract, especially its time limits, to better protect your rights under the contract.

Whatever the severity of your problem, you should always seek out your union steward. If they are unavailable do not hesitate to call the union office using the phone numbers posted at each location on your bulletin boards. Please do not e-mail grievances.

Right to Representation

The Weingarten, Inc. legal decision in 1975 gave employees the right to union representation during interviews or “one on one” meetings with supervisors or other management officials regarding their work or conduct.

Your union strongly suggests that if you believe that the consequences of such a meeting could be negative and result in discipline of any kind, then request union representation.

To exercise your Weingarten Rights either before or during an investigative meeting please read the following statement to your supervisor, word for word:

“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated or have any effect on my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative, officer or steward be present at this meeting. Without representation, I choose not to participate in this discussion.”

When they grant your request, upon arrival of the union steward or other union representative, the company must explain the reason for the interview. The union representative is then allowed to meet privately with the employee before questioning begins. The representative or steward may counsel the member on how to answer questions.

It is unfair labor practice for the company not to allow you representation in any of the above circumstances. (If they deny your request contact the union.)

UFCW Local 1459 has always recommended that the only document relating to your employment that you sign is your paycheck. You have the right to refuse to sign any warnings or documents. This type of action could very well lead to loss of pay, privileges or job. So remember ONLY SIGN YOUR PAYCHECK!

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