Contact the FSU if you believe your contract or other employee rights have been violated, or if you have any questions or concerns about your rights. We will put you in touch with FSU officers who can assist you. You can also contact the FSU if you become aware of broader and/or systemic policy or contract compliance issues.
If you are facing legal issues related to your employment (i.e. a lawsuit from a student) you may be eligible for free legal services from the MTA (NOTE: this applies to dues paying members only). Click here for more information.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE A UNION WITNESS AT MEETINGS WITH YOUR EMPLOYER/SUPERVISOR: If your chair/program director/supervisor has asked you to attend an ‘investigatory’ interview, you have a legal right to have a union witness present (this is known as ‘Weingarten Rights’). An investigatory interview can include any meeting that might have disciplinary repercussions and/or any meeting in which you are asked to defend your conduct or give evidence. You must assert this right- the employer is not obligated to inform you of this right. If the employer does not indicate the agenda of the meeting in advance, you have the right to ask if disciplinary measures could result from the meeting. Any answer other than ‘no’ means you have the right to have a union witness at the meeting (note that this right can even be invoked in the middle of the meeting if, for example, the agenda suddenly changes or the employer engages in a line of questioning that might have disciplinary repercussions). For a more detailed primer on Weingarten Rights click here. Contact the FSU office if you would like to have a union representative present at such a meeting.