Your Right To Representation
Last updated 12/10/2009 11:16 AM by Frank Vehafric

Don't forget that when you are being asked questions which could result in discipline you have the right to be represented by a Local 328 steward. You may contact a steward on the eZone or by calling Local 328's 24 hour steward hotline at 503 239 9858 ext 132. You should be assigned to a and contacted by a steward in one business day.

Effective representation is the first step you can take in safeguarding your employment rights. You can find out more about your rights to representation in the contract, below:

23.3    Investigatory Interviews.  The Employer has the right to conduct “investigatory” interviews by asking questions of an employee which only the employee may answer.  The employee has the right to request, and shall be granted, Union representation at “investigatory” interviews where the employee reasonably believes the interview might result in disciplinary action.  The employee may utilize another employee for this purpose.  However, the choice of representative shall not unduly delay the meeting.

23.3.1    Notice.  Investigatory interviews of an employee subject to discipline require thirty-six (36) hours’ advance notice to the employee unless there is an emergency or the employee consents to waive the notice.  If the Union’s efforts to secure representation are unsuccessful due to scheduling or unavailability of the steward at the top of the rotation list, the Employer agrees to release the on-call steward.

23.3.2    Conducting the interview.  The Employer has the right to initially hear the employee’s own account of the matter under investigation.  The Union representative has the right in the “investigatory” interview to clarify previous answers or to elicit further relevant information.