Common use of Pre-Grievance Discussion Clause in Contracts

Pre-Grievance Discussion. An employee must first discuss a grievance with the employee's immediate supervisor/Battalion Chief or Assistant Chief, or Manager. It is the policy of the County and the Union to encourage informal discussion of complaints between management and employees covered by this Agreement. Such discussion should be held with a view to reaching an understanding which will resolve the matter in a manner satisfactory to the employee, without need for recourse to the formal grievance procedure prescribed by this article. In order to start the pre-grievance process, the employee shall submit the County’s Employee Grievance Form. This form does not need to be completed in its entirety but needs to include a statement that describes the issue being brought forward. At this step, the form is being used to track the process only. The employee or Union shall present the grievance form in writing to the Human Resources at Fire Rescue by facsimile, email, or hand delivered within ten (10) business days in accordance with 17.02A. When a grievance is filed by an individual bargaining unit member, Human Resources at Fire Rescue shall immediately forward a copy of the grievance to the Union office and email the Principal Officers at the Union email address. The Union may, with the employee’s concurrence, within ten (10) business days of the County’s receipt of the original grievance, amend the original grievance and file the amended grievance with Human Resources at Fire Rescue. The Division Chief or his designee shall have no more than ten (10) business days to hold an informal meeting with the union representative and the employee to attempt resolution of the issue before continuing forward with the grievance process. The employee may waive their right to be present at this informal process. The Division Chief or his designee will make a decision and communicate it in writing to the employee and the Union within ten (10) business days following the meeting. The original Grievance Form is maintained by Human Resources at Fire Rescue. If the pre-grievance discussion meeting has not resolved the issue to both parties satisfaction the Union or employee may within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the written answer, formally move the issue through the grievance process through communication with Human Resources at Fire Rescue.