Download the Grievance Guide - OCSEA

Step 3 Discharge Grievances
Grievances involving the discharge (removal) of an employee are filed directly at Step 3. The
grievance must be filed within 14 calendar days of the NOTIFICATION to the employee of the
discharge (not the date the action took place). AT THE TIME YOU FILE THE GRIEVANCE AT
STEP 3 WITH THE AGENCY, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, BASED ON THE CURRENT
CONTRACT LANGUAGE THAT YOU FORWARD A COPY OF THE GRIEVANCE
FORM NOT ONLY TO THE STAFF REPRESENTATIVE BUT ALSO TO THE OCSEA
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL. The agency will conduct a Step 3 meeting AND render a
Step 3 response within sixty (60) calendar days. Once the Step 3 response is received or due date has
passed without resolution of the grievance, it is important that you complete the Appeal and
Preparation Sheet. A legible copy of the grievance form should accompany the step 3 response. It is
very important that you send a copy of the grievance form with the Appeal and Preparation Sheet. If
the grievance is not resolved at Step 3, a mediation hearing will be scheduled within sixty days of the
due date of the Step 3 response.
Step 3 Contract Interpretation Grievances
(Non-Discipline)
The Contract requires that the agency head or designee shall give his/her written response and
return a legible copy of the grievance form within thirty-five (35) days following the meeting. A copy
should be sent to the grievant and one representative designated by the chapter. If the written response
is not received on time the steward should appeal the grievance to Step 4 and should also note in the
appeal that timely written response was not received.
Use of the Appeal and Preparation Sheet
All grievances appealed to Step 4 should be accompanied by the Appeal and Preparation Sheet. The
top of the first page of the Appeal and Preparation Sheet acts as a form letter to the Office of
Collective Bargaining.
It is essential that this form be completed and sent as soon as the Step 3 answer is received, or
when it was due, whichever comes first. This form identifies information about the grievance and
identifies important facts about the dispute. The Appeal and Preparation Sheet (1) simplifies the
coordination of information between the chapter and the staff representative, (2) assists in developing a
proper chapter file on each grievance and (3) permits the Union to accurately track the name, type and
location of grievances.
When completing the Appeal and Preparation Sheet, the Chapter should observe the following:
• Follow the directions on the sheet. Your staff representative can assist you if you have any
questions. It is essential that the staff representative and the Office of General Counsel receive their
respective copies at the same time. ALWAYS ATTACH A COPY OF THE GRIEVANCE
FORM AND THE STEP 3 RESPONSE.
• If a Step 3 meeting was not held or a timely Step 3 response was not received, a specific statement
should be attached to the appeal that calls attention to this fact. IF specific procedural objections
have been raised are not satisfied, specific reference to this problem should be noted, particularly if
the Step 3 response is silent concerning these matters.
Additional copies of the Appeal and Preparation Sheets can be obtained from your assigned
OCSEA staff representative.
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