How to file a grievance?
Informal Discussion:
Before officially filing a grievance, you have the chance to resolve the problem informally. Within fifteen business days of the incident, situation, or decision that caused the issue, let your supervisor, the Faculty Relations Office (FRO), or a Union representative know about it. You can reach out to your departmental steward [insert link here] or one of Co-Chief Stewards chiefsteward1.psac901@gmail.com or chiefsteward2.psac901@gmail.com if your department doesn’t have one. They will arrange a meeting within five business days to discuss the matter with your employment supervisor.
Formal Grievance:
Step One:
If the issue is not resolved during the informal discussion, you can choose to escalate a grievance to Step One. The Union will help you write a formal grievance and submit it to the head of your department (or someone they assign) within ten business days from the informal discussion.
In your written grievance, with the help of the Union, you will explain the facts, mention which parts of the agreement you believe were violated, and state what you are seeking as a solution.
If it is an individual grievance, you and a union representative must sign the grievance form. If it is a group grievance, all affected employees can sign the grievance form, and up to three employees (in addition to the one who attended the informal discussion) can attend the meetings at this step. The department head will schedule a meeting within ten business days and provide a written response within ten business days after the meeting.
Step Two:
If the grievance is not resolved after Step One, you can choose to proceed to Step Two. Within ten business days after receiving the reply from Step One, send the grievance to the dean of your faculty (or someone they assign). Again, you are not alone in this process – your Union representative will assist you every step of the way! The dean will schedule a meeting within ten business days of submission and the employer must provide a written response within ten business days of the Step Two meeting. The process for submitting the grievance and the attendance of employees and union representatives remains the same as in Step One.
Remember, you are not alone. Your union is always by your side!