Article 12 - Grievances

The parties confirm their mutual desire that every grievance shall be resolved promptly with the object of arriving at a fair and proper settlement.

The Union is entitled to initiate a grievance in its own right or on behalf of an employee at any stage of the grievance procedure.

It is the right of employees, with the assistance of a Union representative if they so wish, to seek to resolve disputes through informal discussion with the academic and administrative colleagues, including the department head, provided that such informal discussion shall not in any way prejudice any dispute resolution procedures set out in this Agreement.

If a dispute is not resolved informally, the Union may submit to the AVP, People & Chief Human Resources Officer, with a copy to the appropriate Dean, a written grievance signed by a duly authorized official of the Union within thirty (30) days of the discovery of the incident which is the subject of the grievance.

The Union or Human Resources shall request a meeting with the appropriate Dean or designate at which both parties shall be present.

The Dean, or designate, in consultation with Human Resources, will render a written decision within fourteen (14) days of receiving the grievance.

Failing resolution at Stage 1, the Union may, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the written decision at Stage 1, refer the written grievance to the AVP, People & Chief Human Resources Officer, with a copy to the Vice-President (Academic) or designate. The parties shall meet to discuss the grievance at Stage 2 within thirty (30) days of the referral and the Vice-President (Academic) or designate, in consultation with Human Resources, shall render a written decision within thirty (30) days of the meeting.

Grievances involving interpretation or administration of the Collective Agreement signed by a duly authorized Union official and not involving a specific individual, and grievance by a group of employees shall be taken directly to Stage 2.

The time limits specified in the foregoing provisions may be waived by the parties upon agreement, and special consideration will be given when a case involves Union or Employer participants in more than one geographic location.