(This is a summary of the LELS349 Union Contract. Please refer to it for complete rules. If there is a conflict in information, the Union Contract will be followed.)
You get called into the supervisor’s / manager’s office:
-If you suspect that there may be discipline, ask them if this conversation may lead to a disciplinary action.
-If their answer is “No” and discipline results, you may have grounds for a grievance.
-If the answer is yes, you have the right to ask for union representation.
-If there is a representative working (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Steward), they may be called in at that time.
-If there is not a representative working, the meeting will be rescheduled until one can be arranged.
What does a union representative do in these meetings?
We are a second pair of eyes and ears. Our job is to witness and document the meeting. Generally, we will not interject unless there is a clarification needed. We may take a few minutes to meet privately at any time you or the representative feel is necessary. After the meeting, we will meet to discuss what happened. You should be given an opportunity to add anything to interview to make sure it is on the record. Try to meet before ending the interview to make sure you and your rep have covered or clarified items.
The representative will document a summary of the meeting, times, participants, etc. It will be kept in a confidential file in case the discipline proceeds to a grievance. Keeping a recorded record is preferred. Your union representative may have one that can be used for this purpose.
If you receive discipline:
-You must decide if the discipline is fair and that you did something in violation of the contract, civil service rules, or other county policy.
-If the answer is yes, then you need to decide if the punishment is appropriate to what occurred. If, and only if, the punishment is appropriate, then you must either accept it or decide to grieve the action.
-If you decide to grieve the action, then your union representative will help you contact our business agent to complete the proper paperwork.
-You may sign a document that says you “received” the paperwork, but don’t sign anything “accepting” the discipline, unless you choose to do so. Very strict timelines apply to be able to file a grievance, by contract you have 21 days from when you receive your disciplinary notice.