When It Comes To Your Grievance, Details, Facts and Timeliness Are Crucial To Winning Your Case

The grievance and arbitration procedure is an important resource you enjoy as a Local 243 member to protect your rights and dignity in the workplace.  A critical component of this procedure is timely filing of grievances so that the Union can fight with you to make sure that your rights are not violated by the Company.

Below is a detailed list of steps every Local 243 member should follow when filing a grievance to make sure there are no glitches or issues when it comes to your grievance.  If you have specific questions, please contact your Steward or Business Agent.

1) When completing your grievance form, make sure you press firmly so that all carbon copies will be readable.  

2) Complete all sections at the top of the form (see copy at right, click on graphic for a larger view).  This includes your name, address and phone number so the Union can contact you to discuss the grievance.  Make sure that you include the date at the top of the form when you fill it out.

3) For the “Article of Contract or Rules and Regulations Involved” include the specific contract Article or Section that you are grieving., and then also include the catch-all phrase “and any other article or section that applies.”

4) For the “Statement of Facts”, please summarize the key points of your grievance/argument, adding that you “will explain more at the hearing.”

5) Always include a Requested Remedy to resolve the grievance.  Do not leave this section blank.

6) Have your manager/supervisor sign and date the grievance form when they receive it so that they will be unable to claim later on that they never saw your grievance.

7) Each grievance has four copies.  The white copy goes to the Union (your Steward can forward it to the Union), the yellow copy is the Company’s, the pink copy is the Steward’s and the goldenrod copy is for the grievant.  Since there are four copies, this is why you must write firmly and legibly when you file a grievance.

8) Don’t forget the DEADLINE to file.  Make sure to file your grievance within the contractually-required timeframe, otherwise it will be denied as untimely.

Following these steps will help ensure that your grievance is received timely and processed smoothly.