There is a process that must be taken to present a grievance, the mandatory and exclusive mechanism for the resolution of that grievance as found in Article 32 of our contract. It is important to remember that part of the grievance process is to first try to resolve the problem through your immediate supervisor. Skipping this step will result in the grievance being denied needlessly. The contract states that the immediate supervisor should give an answer in writing; so always ask for a written resolution from him.


The most important consideration in the initial days of discovering an alleged contract violation is to get the relevant facts down in writing so that the steward who helps the pilot may expedite the process. The form to use for this is the Fact Sheet form, which can be found on the this web site, but a blank sheet of paper will do in a pinch if you can't get the form.


Basically we use the 6 W's:


Who is the worker? (Basics - Name, Job Title, Employee Number, Seniority Number, etc.). Who are the management people involved?Who went with you when you talked to your manager?


Are there Witnesses to the incident, or what witnesses were involved in the situation? What did they see or hear?


What happened or failed to happen? What did the worker do? What did management say, do or fail to do? What’s happened in the past? What should be done? (The remedy).


When did the incident happen? (Date, Time)


Where did the incident happen? (Location)


Why is this incident a grievance?


All of these facts should be written down as soon as possible after the incident occurs so that an accurate record can be made. Stewards may not always be immediately available to do this, so the member preparing to file a grievance should make a written record answering all the questions above. Again, this will expedite a steward's investigation prior to filling the formal written grievance.


Once it's been decided that a written grievance is to be filed, the grievance should only be written on the Local 107 Grievance Form; available on the web site. This form should be filled out with greater brevity than the Fact Sheet. Only the details needed to briefly explain the contract violation, and remedy sought should be included.


There are two phrases that should be included in all grievances.


The first comes in the "Articles violated" section. Always include the phrase, "or any other Article that may apply". This keeps the entire contract working for the grievant throughout the process. There may be other contract provisions that were not originally thought of which apply to the situation. Failure to include this phrase will lock the grievance, to only the Article stated.


The other phrase is used in the "Remedy Sought" section, this phrase is "Make the grievant whole". While a specific remedy can still be requested, this phrase opens up all the possible remedies, which may not have been thought of at the time. There may be other contract provisions that were not originally thought of which apply to the situation.
A note of caution, please do not make insulting remarks on the grievance form. Doing so will get the grievance rejected by management offhand, and it will need to be filed again. While it may seem to be a good remedy to have management "take a remedial reading and retention course", stating so on the form will only delay the process.


The steward should make 6 copies of the grievance form and have the grievant and himself sign each one to insure original signatures on each copy. You may make copies of a signed grievance, but the Union must receive the original signature copy. The steward and grievant should each retain one copy. One copy of the grievance then is mailed to the Company by certified mail, return receipt requested, and three copies along with the Fact Sheet are mailed to the union office. Enclose all receipts so that you can be reimbursed. When filling out the return card, please put an "RE:" under the union office address, and either put the grievant’s name, the grievance number (if known), or what the grievance is about. This helps to collate the card later with the proper grievance.


The main file for all grievances is kept in the Union office, so copies of all correspondence throughout the process must be sent there.