WHAT IS A GRIEVANCE?
Generally a grievance is any unjust act, practice, or condition that management has the power to correct. Be sure to consult your contract for the definition that applies to your workplace. You should consider grieving any unjust act, practice or condition, which management has the power to correct. If you learn from your investigation that the case has no merit, you can withdraw the grievance later.
There are Five Categories of Grievances:
- CONTRACT VIOLATIONS: This is usually the clearest and most common type of grievance.
- THE LAW: There may be a violation of municipal, state or federal law, which may, under certain conditions, give rise to a grievance. Remember that the law often supersedes the contract.
- VIOLATION OF WRITTEN DOCUMENT OR PRECEDENT: Examples include company rules, procedures, or written interpretations of the contract from prior grievances or arbitrations.
- A BONA FIDE UNFAIR ACTION: Even if there is no contract provision, if there is a bona fide unfair action by management, you may have a grievance. A full investigation is necessary to determine whether a grievance exists or not.
- VIOLATION OF PAST PRACTICE: Even when the contract says nothing, and you have no written precedent, there may be a grievance, based on established "past practices." (For example, a Christmas turkey.)
**Click here to see more information on past practice grievances.
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