You may encounter different types of problems at work which require assistance or advice. The following is meant to be a guide in resolving these situations.

What should you do if you are called into the office? If you believe that you are being called into a supervior's office for the purpose of discipline or to defend your conduct you are entitled, as a union member, to be represented.

SHOP FLOOR CONVERSATIONS

Not every discussion with management is an investigatory interview. For example, a supervisor may speak to an employee about the proper way to do a job. Even if the supervisor asks the employee questions, this is not an investigatory interview because the possibility of discipline is remote.

A routine conversation changes character if a supervisor becomes dissatisfied with an employee and takes a hostile attitude. If this happens the meeting could well result in discipline and you should ask for your Union Representative.

INVESTIGATORY INTERVIEW

There are those times when a supervisor is gathering some information, but if you believe that the investigatory interview could lead to discipline, other adverse consequences, or to defend your conduct, you have a right to make a request for representation and should do so. You may feel intimidated by a supervisor or someone else trained in interrogation techniques or they may try to coerce you into confessing to a wrong-doing.

For all of these reasons you should request union representation. You must make a clear request for union representation (you cannot be punished for making this request). After you have made the request the employer must:

•  Grant the request and delay questioning until a Union Representative arrives, or
•  Deny the request and end the interview immediately, or
•  Offer you the choice to continue the meeting without a Union Representative. It  would be best to wait until you have representation so that you have the  benefit of someone trained to handle such a situation.

If the employer denies the request for union representation and continues to ask questions, he has commiteed an unfair labor practice; you have a right to refuse to answer and cannot be disciplined for such refusal. You must, however, make the request to be represented by the Union.

DISCIPLINARY ANNOUNCEMENTS

When a supervisor calls an employee to the office to announce a warning or issue discipline, this would not constitute an investigatory interview as the supervisor is informing the employee of a previous decision of management. However, if the supervisor asks questions that are related to the incident which resulted in the discipline, it then becomes an investigatory interview to which you are entitled to union representation upon your request.

The Union Representative or Steward can provide assistance and counsel you during the interview as well as speak up for you during the interview

BEWARE OF SIGNING ANY COMPANY DOCUMENTS

If your employer asks you to sign any document relative to a disciplinary matter or that could adversely affect your job, be careful.

Most of the time the best course of action is not to sign any document without first discussing it with your Union Representative.

Be sure to ask your employer for a copy of any document that you are requested to sign. If you have any problem or questions contact your Union Representative.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND AVAIL YOURSELF OF
REPRESENTATION WHEN THE SITUATION ARISES

For: Questions, Comments or Assistance?
Contact: UFCW Local 1473 at 1-800-472-1660

For: Questions, Comments or Assistance?
Contact: UFCW Local 1473 at 1-800-472-1660

World War II and Korean War Veteran, Master Sergeant, Dewey Edward Smith passed away on November 11, 1997.

Appropriately, this decorated veteran (Silver Star Recipient for Gallantry in Action) passed on Veteran’s Day. His son,

Richard Smith, is a proud member of UFCW Local 1473 in Rhinelander, WI.

On Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1998 Rick spent the entire day in quiet reflection in remembrance of his Father’s

passing a year earlier, at the Union Grove Cemetery in Harshaw, WI and noticed that not a single other person

visited the cemetery to honor the fellow Veterans that laid beside his Father’s final resting place.

With this in mind, Rick took it upon himself to give the attention deserved to the Veterans buried there, as well as

Veterans and active duty soldiers across this Country.

Rick started the Veterans Ceremony, held each year on the Saturday before Memorial Day in Harshaw, WI.,

a small community with a population of about 1000. The ceremony involves a flyover, cannon fire and rifle reports,

as well as bag pipes, musical entertainment and speakers.

The Veterans Ceremony is just one event each year that Rick and fellow UFCW Member and Army Veteran,

John Pauke are involved in to bring the recognition and respect to the Veterans and their families that have sacrificed to

protect the freedoms that we all enjoy and 2018 will mark the 18^th year of this ceremony and will once again be attended

by hundreds of people. The community of Harshaw will swell, as will the hearts of those that attend. The Veterans Ceremony

has been recognized around the State and nationally, for their dedication to those that have served, and those that are serving today.

In 2015, after efforts by Rick’s group and the local community it was announced that Harshaw (Cassian) was awarded a

 six acre site for a National Cemetery, across the road from where the annual ceremony takes place.

This will allow northern Wisconsin Veteran’s families closer access to their loved one’s gravesites.

If you’re in the area, stop by on the Saturday before Memorial Day, (this year’s event is scheduled for May 26)

if you can’t make it, consider supporting the event by going to: veteransceremony.org and making a contribution.

Rick tells me that even when inclement weather has threatened the event, somehow the rain has stopped long enough

and the sun has shown through to brighten the day. Perhaps a certain Master Sergeant is still overseeing things.

Rick and John are just two examples of the difference our family of UFCW members make in their communities every day.