What is a Grievance?

Dictionary Definition:

A circumstance thought to be unjust or injurious and grounds for complaint or resentment.

Collective Bargaining Definition:

A dispute between the union and management over the interpretation of the specific term(s) or the contract.

Workplace Definition:

Anything connected with the job that an employee THINKS, FEELS, or IMAGINES is WRONG! If something irritates an employee, or tends to make working conditions unsatisfactory, it may give rise to a grievance.

A grievance becomes "official" when it is reduced to writing and an allegation is made that management, in some way, has violated the rights of an employee.

Governing Documents

The grievance process for each employee group is laid out in their governing document.