| |
HOW TO WRITE A GRIEVANCE
The formal grievance document usually requires
that certain basic data be included: name of grievant, date, address,
phone number, signature, etc. Once these are filled out, there are
three elements that are critical for a grievance.
- Statement of the Grievance. This
should be a short, simple, declarative statement of what the grievance
is about. The statement should not include the Union’s arguments,
evidence or justification for its position. Nor should the statement
contain personal remarks or opinions. The grievance can be stated
in one or two concise sentences. It is always safe to start the
statement by declaring what “the employer/hospital or management”
did to cause the grievance.
Example: “The employer disciplined
Jane Doe, an Emergency Department Nurse, in March 2006, without
just cause.”
- Citation of the Article(s) Violated.
The grievance must include a reference to what contract article(s)
was violated. It is not absolutely necessary (depending on contract
language) to list the specific section and/or paragraph of the
Article cited. A catch-all statement should be included that would
cover other contract articles that may have been overlooked. Such
a catch-all phrase simply insures that even if the wrong contract
article is cited, the grievance will still be valid and binding.
Such phrases look like:
“Article(s) Violated: Article 5 and
7 and any and all other relevant articles.”
or
“Including but not limited to Article
12.”
- Statement of Proposed Remedy.
The remedy should again be clear, concise and all-inclusive. It
should be written to achieve the best possible outcome for the
grievant. The remedy statement should also contain a catch-all
statement- such as “…make the grievant whole.”
If a nurse is suspended for 3 days, the remedy should not just
be for the pay lost, but should also cover other losses as seniority,
benefits, earned time, etc.
Example: “The suspension
and disciplinary notice shall be withdrawn and the grievant
shall be made whole for any and all losses.
or
Add: “…and any and
all other benefits to which the grievant is entitled.”
|
|
