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.
Formal Grievance - Step 2 A. If the grievant is not satisfied with the decision rendered pursuant to Step 1, the grievant may appeal the decision within twenty-one (21) calendar days after receipt to a designated supervisor or manager identified by each department head as the second level of appeal. If the department head or designee is the first level of appeal, the grievant may bypass Step 2.
Step III 12.5.1 If the employee desires to appeal the grievance to Step III, the employee shall complete the appropriate appeal section of the grievance form, sign the appeal, and present the grievance to the Municipal Employee Relations Officer or designee within five (5) working days following receipt of the written decision at Step II.
Step I 18.3.1.1 An employee may present the grievance orally either directly or through the Union representative to the immediate supervisor. The grievance must be presented within ten (10) working days following the event or events on which the grievance is based. The immediate supervisor shall make whatever investigation is necessary to obtain the facts pertaining to the grievance. Within ten (10) working days after receiving the oral grievance, the immediate supervisor shall give the employee an oral reply.
STEP II 18.3.2.1 If the employee desires to appeal the grievance to Step II, the grievance shall be reduced to writing and presented to the Department Director or his/her designated representative, within five (5) working days following the receipt of the immediate supervisor's oral reply.
Step IV If the grievant is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance or if no disposition has been made within the above stated time limits, the grievant and/or the Association shall complete Grievance Report Form, Step IV, within ten (10) school days after notification of Step III disposition and submit the grievance to final and binding arbitration according to the voluntary rules and regulations of the American Arbitration Association. The Arbitrator's decision will be final and binding on all parties. The cost of arbitration shall be the responsibility of the party losing arbitration.