Informal Level Before filing a formal written grievance, the grievant shall attempt to resolve it by an informal conference with the grievant's immediate supervisor.
Staffing Levels To the extent legislative appropriations and PIN authorizations allow, safe staffing levels will be maintained in all institutions where employees have patient, client, inmate or student care responsibilities. In July of each year, the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of each agency will, upon request, meet with the Union, to hear the employees’ views regarding staffing levels. In August of each year, the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Budget and Management will, upon request, meet with the Union to hear the employees’ views regarding the Governor’s budget request.
Step 4 In the event the dispute is not resolved at Step 3 above, either party may serve upon the other and the COORDINATOR written notice by certified mail, within five (5) working days, requesting that the dispute be resolved by arbitration. If such a written notice is served, the parties shall jointly request the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to submit the names of five (5) qualified arbitrators, from which list the UNION and the EMPLOYER shall alternately strike names until only one name is left, which person shall hear and resolve the dispute. A hearing shall be conducted by the arbitrator, at which time the parties to the dispute shall be given the opportunity to appear and offer evidence in support of their positions. A decision by the arbitrator shall be rendered in writing within a reasonable time, not to exceed ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearing. The decision by the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties; provided, however, that the arbitrator shall not have the authority to alter or amend the provisions of this AGREEMENT in any way. The reasonable expenses and fees of the arbitrator shall be borne equally by the parties.
