Just Cause
The contractual standard requiring management to have a legitimate, proportionate, and procedurally fair reason for discipline.
Full definition
Just Cause is the standard most CBAs require management to meet before disciplining or terminating an employee. While the term is rarely defined in the contract itself, arbitrators apply the seven-test framework developed by Arbitrator Carroll Daugherty in the 1966 Enterprise Wire decision: (1) notice, (2) reasonable rule, (3) investigation, (4) fair investigation, (5) proof, (6) equal treatment, and (7) penalty proportionate to the offense. Failure on even one test can result in discipline being reduced or overturned by an arbitrator.
Related terms
Grievance
A formal complaint that the employer has violated a provision of the CBA, past practice, or applicable law.
Arbitration
A final, binding hearing before a neutral third party that resolves grievances unresolved through the contractual steps.
Weingarten Rights
The right of a union-represented employee to request a steward in any meeting that could reasonably lead to discipline.
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