Grievance
A formal complaint that the employer has violated a provision of the CBA, past practice, or applicable law.
Full definition
A grievance is a formal allegation that management has violated the collective bargaining agreement, an established past practice, or a statutory right such as those under the NLRA, OSHA, FMLA, or anti-discrimination law. Grievances are typically processed through a multi-step procedure defined in the CBA — for example, Step 1 (supervisor), Step 2 (HR or labor relations), Step 3 (senior management), and ultimately arbitration. Each step has its own filing and response deadline; missing a deadline can permanently waive the grievance. A well-drafted grievance identifies the harmed employee, the management action complained of, the specific contract language violated, and the remedy sought.
Related terms
Just Cause
The contractual standard requiring management to have a legitimate, proportionate, and procedurally fair reason for discipline.
Arbitration
A final, binding hearing before a neutral third party that resolves grievances unresolved through the contractual steps.
Past Practice
A consistent, long-standing workplace custom that becomes binding even if not written in the CBA.
Duty of Fair Representation (DFR)
The union’s legal obligation to represent every member of the bargaining unit fairly, in good faith, and without arbitrary, discriminatory, or bad-faith conduct.
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