“Our Nation is deeply committed to safeguarding academic freedom, which is of transcendent value to all of us, and not merely to the teachers concerned. That freedom is therefore a special concern of the First Amendment, which does not tolerate laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy over the classroom.”
– Keyishian v. Board of Regents, 385 U.S. 589 (1967)
It is essential that there should be organization of labor. This is an era of organization. Capital organizes and therefore labor must organize.
– Theodore Roosevelt, October 14, 1912, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Forty-two years ago, on Feb. 19, 1975, the high court ruled that an employee has the right to request union representation in any meeting that she or he feels could result in discipline or termination.
If you believe that discipline will result from a meeting with management/administration (in legalese, “an investigatory interview”), you can insist that a union representative be present during this interview. This is part of your “Weingarten Rights,” which references the 1975 United States Supreme Court case NLRB vs. Weingarten. Weingarten Rights apply only to members of a collective bargaining unit and are among the many benefits of having a union.
When an investigatory interview occurs, the following rules apply:
Rule 1) – You must make a clear request for effective union representation before or during the interview. Often an employee may not know at the outset that a meeting with management could lead to discipline. If such a meeting is or becomes an “investigatory interview,” you should assert your right to have a union officer of your choosing present. You cannot be punished for making this request. (Note: If the union representative of your choice is not available in a reasonable time period, it may be necessary for an alternative union officer to represent you.)
A typical Weingarten request would be: “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. Until my union representative arrives, I choose not to participate in this discussion.” Or you may simply say, “I want my union representative here.”
Rule 2) – After you make this request, the interviewer has three options:
Rule 3) – If the interviewer denies your request and continues to ask questions, this is an unfair labor practice. You have the right not to answer any questions until you have union representation. You cannot be disciplined for refusing to answer the questions, but you are required to sit there until the supervisor terminates the interview. Leaving before this happens may constitute punishable insubordination in some cases.
The AAUP-UC represents all members of the bargaining unit, both those who pay dues and those who do not, and is obligated to come to your aid without prejudice. If you are summoned to a meeting with a member of administration and discover that it is an “investigatory interview,” assert your right to have a union representative present.
The two most dynamic movements that reshaped the nation during the past three decades are the labor and civil rights movements. Our combined strength is potentially enormous. We have not used a fraction of it for our own good or for the needs of society as a whole. If we make the war on poverty a total war; if we seek higher standards for all workers for an enriched life, we have the ability to accomplish it, and our nation has the ability to provide it. lf our two movements unite their social pioneering initiative, thirty years from now people will look back on this day and honor those who had the vision to see the full possibilities of modern society and the courage to fight for their realization. On that day, the brotherhood of man, undergirded by economic security, will be a thrilling and creative reality.
Speech given to the Illinois State AFL-CIO SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, OCT. 7, 1965
For more great quotations from King’s Speeches to Trade Unions, see this document from the AFL-CIO.
Even if you haven’t registered, you can still attend by paying $30 at the door.
Don’t miss out on the good food, door prizes, photo booth, and live music and dancing!
More details below:
We are holding this year’s holiday party in a fantastic new location: The Trackside Restaurant at Union Station. This unique restaurant, featuring a wraparound bar and excellent food, is in the beautiful Utica train station, an iconic structure that is in the National Register of Historic Places. There is also convenient parking adjacent to the Trackside Restaurant entrance.
Where: The Trackside Restaurant in Utica’s Historic Train Station, 321 Main St., Utica, NY
When: Friday, December 2, 7:00pm -11:00pm
7pm – 8pm: Appetizers, Cash Bar, Music
8pm – 9pm: Dinner Including Chicken Marsala, Roast Beef, Wine & More
9pm – 11pm: Dessert, Coffee, Cash Bar, Music, Dancing & Door Prizes!
*Bonus* Photo Booth All Night Long!
We hope to see you there!
To guarantee your spot, submit your reservation with payment ($20 per person) no later than
Tuesday, November 29Wednesday, November 30! You may make your reservation with either Dan Kurtz (via campus mail, or in person at his office right across from the mailroom) or Leonore Fleming (via email, campus mail, or stop by her office at 245 White Hall). Please make checks payable to AAUP-UC.
We are holding this year’s holiday party in a fantastic new location: The Trackside Restaurant at Union Station. This unique restaurant, featuring a wraparound bar and excellent food, is in the beautiful Utica train station, an iconic structure that is in the National Register of Historic Places. There is also convenient parking adjacent to the Trackside Restaurant entrance.
Where: The Trackside Restaurant in Utica’s Historic Train Station, 321 Main St., Utica, NY
When: Friday, December 2, 7:00pm -11:00pm
7pm – 8pm: Appetizers, Cash Bar, Music
8pm – 9pm: Dinner Including Chicken Marsala, Roast Beef, Wine & More
9pm — 11pm: Dessert, Coffee, Cash Bar, Music, Dancing & Door Prizes!
*Bonus* Photo Booth All Night Long!
If you wish to donate a door prize, please contact Leonore Fleming or drop by her office (245 White Hall) no later than December 2nd.
We hope to see you there!
We are holding this year’s holiday party in a fantastic new location: The Trackside Restaurant at Union Station. This unique restaurant, featuring a wraparound bar and excellent food, is in the beautiful Utica train station, an iconic structure that is in the National Register of Historic Places. There is also convenient parking adjacent to the Trackside Restaurant entrance.
Where: The Trackside Restaurant in Utica’s Historic Train Station, 321 Main St., Utica, NY
When: Friday, December 2, 7:00pm -11:00pm
7pm – 8pm: Appetizers, Cash Bar, Music
8pm – 9pm: Dinner Including Chicken Marsala, Roast Beef, Wine & More
9pm — 11pm: Dessert, Coffee, Cash Bar, Music, Dancing & Door Prizes!
*Bonus* Photo Booth All Night Long!
To guarantee your spot, submit your reservation with payment ($20 per person) no later than Tuesday, November 29! You may make your reservation with either Dan Kurtz (via campus mail, or in person at his office right across from the mailroom) or Leonore Fleming (via email, campus mail, or stop by her office at 245 White Hall). Please make checks payable to AAUP-UC.
If you wish to donate a door prize, please contact Leonore Fleming or drop by her office (245 White Hall) no later than December 2nd.
We hope to see you there!
Today, November 21, 2016, we held our mandatory informational meeting for dues-paying members regarding the ratification of the tentatively approved Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Our next step is to have a ratification vote on the proposed CBA.
We will hold our ratification vote from December 5, 2016 – December 12, 2016.
The ballot will be electronic and sent to dues-paying members via e-mail on December 5, 2016 from BallotPoint Election Services.
Ratification of the proposed CBA requires approval by a majority vote of those voting.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please don’t hesitate to contact the AAUP-UC President, Paul MacArthur.
Where: The Trackside Restaurant, 321 Main Street, Utica, NY. Located in the historic Utica Train Station.
When: Friday, December 2, 7pm -11pm
More information TBA shortly
