Common use of Basic Principles Clause in Contracts

Basic Principles. 29.3.1 The purpose of this grievance procedure shall be to secure, at the lowest possible administrative level, equitable resolutions to problems that may arise and are subject to review under this procedure. 29.3.2 The parties acknowledge that it is desirable for problems to be resolved where possible through free and informal communication. The parties, as well as individual faculty members and their immediate supervisors, are therefore encouraged to resolve problems in this manner. 29.3.3 Any faculty member or group of faculty members shall have the right at any time to present complaints to their supervisors informally and to have such complaints considered in good faith without the intervention of the Faculty Association, provided that settlements arising out of such interaction shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, if applicable. 29.3.4 Grievance proceedings shall be kept as informal and confidential as possible at all levels of this procedure. 29.3.5 No reprisal or retaliation shall be taken against any party as a result of participation in the proceeding of a grievance. 29.3.6 The number of days indicated at each level of this procedure shall be considered a maximum, and every effort shall be made to expedite the process. 29.3.7 If the University fails to comply with the time limit requirements as set forth under any of the procedure levels, the grievance shall be considered automatically appealed to the next level of the procedure. 29.3.8 If the grievant fails to comply with the grievant's time limit requirements as set forth under any procedure levels, the grievance shall be considered null and void. 29.3.9 The time limits set forth herein may be extended provided the extension has been mutually agreed upon in writing by both parties. 29.3.10 A grievance shall not be considered unless the grievant files the grievance no later than twenty (20) days after the grievant knew, or reasonably should have known, of the action that precipitated the grievance. Actions taken when the faculty member is not under contract must be grieved no later than 20 days after the beginning of his or her subsequent contract. 29.3.11 A grievant and the respondent may be accompanied and represented by a representative of his or her choice at any hearing or meeting conducted under this procedure. If the University is the respondent, it may be represented by a representative of its choice. 29.3.12 A faculty member, acting individually, may present a grievance without the intervention of the Faculty Association provided the grievance has been processed in accordance with this procedure. 29.3.13 If a grievance affects a group of two or more bargaining unit members or involves a decision or action by the University that has a system-wide impact, the Faculty Association may submit the grievance on behalf of the affected faculty members at Level Two of this procedure. The grievance may be submitted at Level One if all of the faculty members have the same Xxxx. 29.3.14 The parties shall cooperate in any investigation that may be necessary in order to expedite the process. 29.3.15 All documents related to a grievance shall be maintained in a separate grievance file and shall not be kept in the personnel file of any of the grievance participants. 29.3.16 Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the processing of grievances shall be conducted during non-instruction time.