Right for Representation

Among the rights protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), is the right of union-represented employees, upon request, to have their representative present during an interview that the employee reasonably believes could lead to discipline.  Section 7 protects employees who refuse to submit to certain interviews without a requested representative present. An employee’s requested representative, which may be a union steward.  Weingarten representatives are entitled to provide advice and active assistance to employees during investigatory interviews.  Employees’ right to request their representatives are frequently referred to as “Weingarten rights.”