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Grievance Handling
Effectively Representing Your Members

What is a Grievance

A workplace violation

A dispute between the union or a unit member and

management

Is it a Gripe or A Grievance

Grounds for a grievance

The contract

The Law & Education Codes

District Rules and policies

Past Practices

The Crucial Ws of Grievance

Investigations

Who
When
Where
What
Why

Crucial Ws (cont.)

WHO is involved

WHEN did it happen

WHERE did it happen

WHAT happened (EXACTLY)

Crucial Ws Continued

WHY

is it grievable

WHEN

must the grievance be filed

WHAT

are the deadline dates

WHAT

must be done to make the grievant

WHOLE

Guidelines for writing

Grievances

The Situation

The Contention

Who, what, when & where

Why is it grievable

The Remedy

What is needed to remedy the situation

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Grievance Levels
Informal

An initial attempt to solve the problem at the lowest level.

Usually consists of an informal meeting with the

grievant,steward and management.

Grievance Levels
Formal

Usually steps 1 thru 4 (depending on contract).

Must be in writing.

Includes through the Board level.

Grievance Levels
Arbitration/Civil Court

Types of arbitration

Binding

Recommendary

Civil Court

Alternative forum of redress

Duty of Fair Representation

A Legal Responsibility

Union has a duty to represent all people included in the

unit, regardless of membership.

Union has a duty to investigate all grievance requests

fairly.

Union must have a basis for not pursuing a grievance.