Step Five The Union can appeal the decision of the Secretary, or designee, within thirty (30) days to fact finding. When fact-finding is invoked, the Union and the Employer shall jointly request a list of seven (7) neutral fact-finders from the FMCS. The parties will meet within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the FMCS list to seek agreement on one of the listed fact-finders. This meeting may take place on the telephone. If the parties cannot agree on a fact-finder, the Employer and the Union will alternately strike one name from the list until a single name remains. A flip of the coin shall determine who shall strike the first name. The fact-finder shall resolve all questions related to the procedure. Upon mutual agreement of the parties, threshold issues may be resolved prior to the parties proceeding with the substantive issues involved in the case. The cost of the fact-finder shall be shared equally by the parties.
Step Four If the Union and the Company cannot reach a settlement, either party may, within five (5) working days of receiving the reply at Step Three, submit the grievance to arbitration.
Step 2 (a) If the grievance is not resolved at Step 1, the grievant or designated representative may submit the grievance in writing on a grievance form as contained in Appendix B of this Agreement, to the Agency Head or designated representative within 10 days following receipt of the decision at Step 1. The grievance form must contain the same information as the grievance filed at Step 1. The grievance shall include a copy of the grievance form submitted at Step 1, together with the written response and documents in support of the grievance.
Step 3 i. The employer shall review the particulars of the complaint as provided by the complainant pursuant to Article E.2.3.b.i. The employer may request further particulars from the complainant. Upon the conclusion of such a review, the employer shall:
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.
