Your Rights

Attention Employees: Do You Know Your Rights??

YOU ARE ENTITLED TO UNION REPRESENTATION

All Bargaining Unit Employees, regardless of active membership status, are by law entitled to Union Representation by Local 2380 when facing a disciplinary action, or investigative interview that may lead to discipline being invoked upon you or a fellow employee. If you suspect, have been informed, or are concerned a meeting may lead to discipline, or you have been accused of wrong-doing--call your Union Representative or Shop Steward. Click the Contact Us tab to find your area Union Rep today.

YOU must make the request to your Supervisor for Union Representation. Do not wait for your Supervisor or Manager to advise you--they do not have the legal obligation to do so or may not know that you should be represented. Its an employee's duty to know their Rights.

Employee Rights

The following rules apply to investigative interviews**:

• The Employee can request Union representation before or at any time during the interview or meeting.
• When an Employee asks for representation, the Employer must choose from three options:
1. Grant the request and delay questioning until the Union Representative arrives... OR
2. Deny the request and end the interview immediately; OR
3. Give the Employee a choice of: (a) Having the interview without representation or (b) Ending the interview. (No employee should continue an interview without representation, but it is the employee's choice.)
• If the Employer denies the request for Union representation and continues the meeting, the Employee can refuse to answer questions.
• An employee should never be insubordinate, unprofessional or contribute to worsening a situation. Be Professional & Be Respectful.

** An Investigative Interview is when Management calls in an employee to ask questions or is seeking information about an issue or incident, and in which your answers may result in a disciplinary action against yourself or others. An Investigative Meeting is NOT the same thing as a normal business meeting you may have regularly to discuss current normal day-to-day operations or projects. Also be aware, there is no such thing as an 'informal meeting' or 'casual questioning' when an issue or dispute arises in your area. If Management is seeking information about you or your co-workers and it is a subject that could lead to discipline being applied, you have the right to representation.

There are many things employees should know about their rights as employees, and how proper due-process should proceed... Check with your Union Representative or Shop Steward if you are concerned about a situation or issue!

Union Members, Bargaining Staff & Managers can download the "Managers Guide to the Union". It is a guide to understanding the Union in your workplace written exclusively for Managers and Bargaining Unit Staff of Montgomery College! It was written by the MC Staff Union and composed in cooperation with the MC Department of Human Resources.

Download "Manager's Guide to the Union" (PDF)