GRIEVANCE AND ARBITRATION PROCEDURES Discharge, reduction in pay or position, or suspension for more than thirty (30) days, as provided for in Article XV, hereof, may be subject to the grievance procedure as set forth in Article XV. A. Subject to any limitations of existing law, any grievance defined as a dispute concerning the application or interpretation of the terms of this Agreement or a claimed violation, misinterpretation or misapplication of the rules or regulations of the Board affecting the terms and conditions of employment may be settled in the following manner: Step 1- School or Office An employee may appear on their own behalf or be represented by an individual designated by the Union. The grievance shall be discussed with the Principal or office administrator within ten (10) school days of the date of the grievance or the knowledge of its occurrence. The Principal or office administrator shall attempt to adjust the matter within five (5) school days of the presentation of the grievance. Step 2- Executive Director of Elementary/Middle or Secondary School If the grievance has not been satisfactorily resolved in Step 1, a written appeal may be taken to the Executive Director of Elementary/Middle or Secondary School, as appropriate, or their designee on a form to be provided by the Board and approved by the Union within five (5) school days following the completion of Step 1. The appropriate Executive Director their designee shall meet with and discuss the grievance with the BTU President, or their designee, and the aggrieved employee within five (5) school days after written appeal. An answer to the grievance shall be submitted to the aggrieved employee and to the BTU President in writing on the said form within five (5) school days thereafter. Step 3- Chief Executive Officer If the grievance has not been satisfactorily resolved in Step 2, a written appeal may be filed on said form with the Chief Executive Officer or their designee within five (5) school days following the completion of Step 2. Within ten (10) school days of such appeal, the CEO or their designee shall meet with the BTU President, or their designee, the aggrieved employee, and such other parties whose presence may be required to discuss the grievance. The CEO or their designee shall respond in writing on the said form within ten (10) school days thereafter.
NEGOTIATION PROCEDURES A. At least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of this Agreement, the parties will begin negotiations for a new Agreement covering wages, hours, terms and conditions of employment of employees covered by this Agreement. B. In any negotiations described in this article, neither party shall have control over the selection of the negotiating representatives of the other party and each party may select its representatives from within or outside the school district. It is recognized that no final Agreement between the parties may be executed without ratification by the Board and the Association. The parties mutually pledge that representatives selected by each shall be clothed with necessary power and authority to make proposals and concessions in the course of negotiations, subject only to such ultimate ratification. C. If the parties fail to reach an agreement in any such negotiations, either party may invoke the procedures established under Public Act 379 as amended. D. Members of the Association’s negotiating team and/or consultants thereto, who are employees of the Employer, shall be released from their normal duties without loss of salary when meetings of the two negotiating teams are scheduled during their normal working hours. E. The parties hereby agree that their Teams shall meet at least quarterly during the school year to attempt to resolve problems. The topics for these meetings shall be established by the group at the previous quarter’s meeting whenever possible. Topics will remain on the agendas until resolved or until deleted by mutual agreement. F. Prior to the establishment of any new position in the bargaining unit, the Employer shall notify the Association of such a contemplated action, and meet with the Association to negotiate workload for the position. This provision does not preclude the Employer’s ability to create and post positions. If the timing of the decision to establish the position precludes such a meeting, the Employer shall meet with the Association as soon as possible. The parties may agree that the position should be allowed to operate without a defined workload for some defined period of time to determine what a reasonable workload might be. G. By mutual consent of both parties any section of this agreement may be reopened.