No stop to Harrassment

[freckle]

The company I work for is a union shop. We have an employee who is up for termination. This is due to his harrassment, intimidation, and threatening other employees. Here's the problem. This company wants the employees to testify at his termination hearing and none of them are comfortable doing this. This person has had some serious mental problems before and has assaulted his family, so what do you think he's capable of doing to us? He has brought a pellet gun to work in the back of his pants to intimidate people, he has threatened other people with bodily harm, he has gone to some employees houses after them. The union has defended this man numerous times over the years and continues to do so now. I understand they have to because if they refuse they could be sued. What can we do so we don't have to go to this hearing but this man gets his termination. Two of the employees have retained a attorney who says we should go but they do not work with this person and don't realize how sick he really is. Everyone of us has the right to be scared of this man and what he may do. What do you suggest. Anything would be appreciated thank you

 

[Green_Hornet]

Company investigations are not court rooms even in union shops. You should consult the steward,and whoever is representing management. The employer should be able to take your statements in private with the Steward available of course. The statements will be part of the company investigation. They do not have to revealed to the employee at his investigation. Who ever is handling the investigation can give the statements the weight that it deserves. The employee is not in the room when the investigation is complete,and the company makes their determination. Unless the contract has a very rigid investigation,and termination procedure in the contract,(which would be very surprising) your request should be honered.