Common use of Initial Discussion Clause in Contracts

Initial Discussion. Any Employee with a problem concerning the application of the present Collective Agreement which could give rise to a Grievance must discuss it with their immediate supervisor or in their absence, with the person replacing them, with a view to resolving it if possible. The request for discussion must be in writing (including by email). The Employee may be accompanied by their Union Representative to this discussion if they desire. The Supervisor shall respond to the request for discussion in writing within ten (10) working days of receiving the request. If the discussion between the Employee and their immediate supervisor does not succeed in resolving the problem or if the supervisor does not answer to the Employee in writing, the Employee and/or the Union may use the grievance procedure. 11.04 Step 1 The Employee in the case of an individual Grievance, a group of Employees in the case of a group Grievance, or the Union in the case of an interpretation Grievance, shall submit the Grievance in writing to the Departmental Chair within thirty (30) working days of the knowledge of the facts which gave rise to the Grievance or fifteen (15) working days after the request for discussion, whichever is sooner. However, the Grievance must always be filed no later than ninety (90) working days after the occurrence of the fact on which the Grievance is based. The statement of the Grievance shall contain a clear summary of the facts on which it is based and the remedy sought so that the problems raised can be identified. A copy of the request for a discussion addressed to the Supervisor must also be included. Upon written request from the University or the Union, Union Representatives and University representatives may organize a meeting in order to discuss the Grievance, within fifteen (15) working days of receipt of the Grievance. The Departmental Chair shall respond in writing to the Grievance to the Employee with a copy to the Union Representative within ten (10) working days of the meeting described in the above paragraph, or if no such meeting occurs within twenty five (25) working days of receipt of the Grievance.