Steps STEP 1: The designated Union Representative(s), with or without the employee, shall attempt to resolve the matter with the employee's immediate supervisor within twenty-one (21) calendar days after the employee, through the use of reasonable diligence, should have had knowledge of the first occurrence of the event giving rise to the grievance. The supervisor shall then attempt to resolve the matter and shall respond to the Union Representative within seven (7) calendar days.
STEP 2: If the grievance has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the Local Union within seven (7) calendar days after the immediate supervisor's response is due, it may be presented in writing by the designated Union Representative to the next level of supervision which has been designated by the Appointing Authority to process grievances. The written grievances shall state the nature of the grievance, the facts upon which it is based, the provision(s) of the Agreement allegedly violated, and the relief requested. The designated Appointing Authority Representative shall arrange a meeting with the Union Representative(s) to discuss the grievance within seven (7) calendar days. A written response shall be forwarded to the Union Representative within seven (7) calendar days of the meeting.
STEP 3: If the grievance still remains unresolved, it may be presented to the Appointing Authority or designated representative by the designated Union Representative within seven (7) calendar days after the Step 2 response is due. The Appointing Authority or designee shall arrange a meeting with the designated Union Representative(s) within seven (7) calendar days. The Appointing Authority or designee shall respond to the Union Representative and the Union staff representative in writing within seven (7) calendar days.
STEP 4: If the grievance remains unresolved after the response of the Appointing Authority is due, the Union shall have sixty (60) calendar days in which to submit a letter to the State Negotiator and the Appointing Authority stating its desire to proceed to arbitration. Within five (5) calendar days after the Union has notified the State Negotiator that it desires to proceed with the arbitration of the grievance the parties shall determine the arbitrator to hear the arbitration by the method provided for in Section 3 of this Article. Except as provided in the procedures for Section 4, expenses for the arbitrator's services and the proceedings shall be borne by the losing party, however, each party shall be responsible for compensating its own representatives and witnesses. If either party cancels an arbitration hearing or asks for a last minute postponement that leads to the arbitrator's making a charge, the canceling party or the party asking for the postponement shall pay this charge. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties. Except as provided in the procedures for Section 4, the arbitrator shall be requested to issue his/her decision within thirty (30) calendar days after the conclusion of testimony and argument. If either party desires a verbatim record of the arbitration proceedings, it may cause such a record to be made, providing it pays for the record and makes a copy available without charge to the other party and the arbitrator.
Action Action" means any demand, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any federal, state, local, foreign or international governmental authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.
