The number of disciplinary actions against faculty at NCC has exploded over the past two years under the current administration. If you feel you are being called in to speak to an administrator/supervisor for disciplinary action, we urge you to call the union office so that we can accompany you to a meeting.
However, if you find yourself in a meeting with an administrator/ supervisor that appears to be taking a turn towards discipline, please stop the conversation and assert your Weingarten Rights. Read this to the supervisor/ administrator:
“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative be present at this meeting. If this discussion could lead to my being disciplined, and you deny my request for representation, I choose not to answer any questions.”
Remember, in 2007, “Weingarten rights” for public sector employees were codified in the Taylor Law which makes it
“. . . an improper practice for a public employer or its agents deliberately. . . to fail to permit or to refuse to afford a public employee the right, upon the employee’s demand, to representation by a representative of the employee organization, or the designee of such organization, which has been certified or recognized under [the Taylor Law], when at the time of questioning by the employer of such employee it reasonably appears that he or she may be the subject of a potential disciplinary action.”
3 Responses
Just a thought: How about printed cards with Weingarten rights for all NCCFT members to carry?
I was very pleased to have Faren with me, providing support and guidance, when I faced a potentially serious situation with an NCC administrator some years ago. I am grateful for that support and the positive result of the interaction.
I strongly suggest that you keep this information handy and not hesitate for even on moment before asking for our Union leadership’s help if you are faced with a difficult situation.
All NCCFT members should really be aware of this provision of the Taylor Law! Too often when I served as a Union officer our members would meet with a supervisor or administrator without notifying us, and we would need to “pick up the pieces” so to speak, because the individual had already said things in the meeting that made it more difficult for the Union to effectively represent them afterwards. Perhaps offering a program or devoting a meeting to this topic would be helpful.