Step 3 (Human Resources). If the grievance has not been resolved by the department head's response at Step 2 and the Union intends to continue to pursue the grievance, the Union shall, within fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt of the department head's response, refer the grievance to Step 3 by so notifying, in writing, the Employer's Chief Human Resources Officer or their designee of its intent. The Employer's Chief Human Resources Officer or their designee and representatives of the Union shall meet within twenty-one (21) calendar days of the date the Union filed its Step 3 notice in an attempt to resolve the grievance. The Director of Human Resources or their designee shall have the full authority of the City Council and the Mayor to resolve the grievance. Within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of the step three meeting, the Union shall have the right to submit the matter to arbitration by informing the Director of Human Resources or their designee in writing that the matter is to be arbitrated. Thereafter, the Parties shall attempt to have the grievance resolved in a timely manner. When a party has the burden of production, any period of inactivity greater than thirty (30) days shall result in the matter becoming untimely. By mutual agreement of the Parties, the grievance may be submitted to the Bureau of Mediation Services for grievance mediation. If the grievance is submitted for mediation, the timelines regarding initiating the arbitration process are waived until the completion of the grievance mediation process. If the grievance remains unresolved after grievance mediation, the Union may initiate the arbitration process within seven (7) calendar days after the date of the mediation session. Notice of the initiation of the arbitration process shall be filed with the Chief Human Resources Officer or their designee.
Step 3 (Human Resources). In the event that the grievance is not satisfactorily adjusted at Step 2, the aggrieved employee and/or the Union, within ten (10) days after receipt of the Step 2 answer, may submit a written grievance appeal to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, or designee, with a copy to the Union. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, or designee, shall schedule a meeting with the aggrieved employee and/or the Union to be held not later than ten (10) days after receipt of the Step 3 appeal. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, or designee, shall submit a written answer to the aggrieved employee within ten (10) days after such meeting, with a copy to the Union. The written answer of the Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, or designee, shall constitute the final and binding resolution of the grievance unless arbitration is elected.
