Know Your Rights - When You Should ALWAYS DEMAND to See a Union Steward

Management continues to aggressively issue discipline.

You have the right to request and receive union representation.

If you are requested to go to the supervisor's office, you should ALWAYS DEMAND the reason why.

Unless it is for a job discussion, you should ALWAYS DEMAND that a union steward is there to represent you. 

Job Discussion

A job discussion is a one-way discussion, with a single supervisor, who informs you of a rule and an expectation.

IT IS NOT A CONVERSATION!

NO QUESTIONS CAN BE ASKED AND NO QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED!

Once management starts asking questions, ALWAYS DEMAND that a union steward is there to represent you. 

If management does not provide a steward, you have the right to refuse to answer any questions until you have representation. If no steward is available, then management must stop the meeting and reschedule to get you a steward.

Pre-disciplinary hearing (what management sometimes calls an Investigative Interview)

If you are requested to go to the supervisor's office for possible discipline and your day in court (pre-d/investigative interview), you should ALWAYS DEMAND that a union steward is there to represent you. 

YOU SHOULD REFUSE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU HAVE A UNION STEWARD!

YOU SHOULD NOT CONTINUE THE MEETING WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! EVER!

If management does not provide a steward, you have the right to refuse to answer any questions until you have representation. If no steward is available, then management must stop the meeting and reschedule to get you a steward.

Management is not obligated to tell you of your right to representation. 

You must ask for/demand representation!

Talking with Postal Inspectors/OIG Agents

If you are called in for questioning by a postal inspector/OIG agent, you should immediately request a union steward. If it possibly involves a criminal matter, you should request an attorney.

IN EITHER CASE, YOU SHOULD INFORM THE POSTAL INSPECTOR/OIG AGENT THAT YOU WILL ARE WILLING TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

THEN YOU SHOULD REMAIN SILENT UNTIL YOU A PROVIDED WITH YOUR STEWARD AND/OR ATTORNEY OR THE MEETING IS CANCELLED.

You should never admit to any allegations or make any other remarks without first consulting with a steward and/or attorney.

DO NOT PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT! DO NOT SIGN ANY WRITTEN STATEMENTS OR FORMS!

Remember, the Postal Inspector will NOT inform you of your right to have a union steward and/or attorney, YOU MUST REQUEST ONE!

They will tell you that you don't need one, or this is just a conversation, playing the good cop, bad cop routine.

REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS UNLESS A STEWARD OR ATTORNEY IS PRESENT!

Management is not obligated to tell you of your right to representation.

You must ask for/demand representation!

        Be informed, stay informed. In knowledge there is power,

in unity there is strength.