Grievance and Arbitration

by Sarah Gutowski, Chair, New Member Mentoring Program

 

I'd like to think that your first months at SCCC have gone smoothly and that you've found your working conditions here optimal. Also, I'd hope that if you run into anything problematic, you've addressed your concerns with your mentor first and that they've provided you with some sound and useful advice for tackling the problem.


I would like to file a grievance against Old Man Winter.

If you ever run into a problem that seems larger than your mentor, academic chair, or department supervisor can handle -- specifically, one that includes a violation of our contract -- OR, if your academic chair or department supervisor is part of the problem (fingers crossed, that won't be the case) -- that's an appropriate time to ask the FA's Grievance Officer, Pete DiGregorio, about filing a grievance.

 

Any member of the bargaining unit -- even those who aren't voting union members -- may be represented by the union when he or she files a grievance. Just remember that timeliness is a real and pressing issue; if you're going to file a grievance, you need to do so within 30 days of when you noticed the violation (or should have noticed the violation).
 

Once the grievance has been filed, the FA will work to settle the matter satisfactorily. Most grievances don't approach arbitration, because they can be resolved beforehand, but if they do go to arbitration (and the FA decides which grievances go to arbitration and which do not), the FA will be there for you.