The grievance procedure is a tool for enforcing the Contract (the CSU-AAUP Collective Bargaining Agreement) and protecting the rights of workers.  It also can be incorporated into a larger strategy of building union power.  Each grievance filed should have increasing solidarity and building union power as one of its goals.

What is a Grievance?

Not every workplace problem is a grievance.  A grievance is an allegation or complaint that there has been a violation of the Contract or any documents covered by it, such as those issued by the Senate and department by-laws.

Test your knowledge of the Contract and Grievances with Contract Q & A.

If you think you know of a grievance, please fill out a Pre-Grievance Form and Contact us.

Grievance Steps

Step 1 – Dean or Vice President (Art. 15.5.1)
When a grievance is filed it first goes to the Dean or Vice President. The “the grievant and/or CSU-AAUP shall have the right … to copy document(s) relevant to the grievance, and to present evidence in support of the grievance.”  Then the “The Dean or the Vice President shall investigate the grievance, meet with the grievant and the CSU-AAUP representative, and shall issue a written decision …..”

“The grievant and/or CSU-AAUP shall have one (1) calendar week from receipt of the Dean’s or the Vice President’s decision to appeal that decision to the next step.”

Step 2 – Presidents’ Grievance Committee (Art. 15.5.2)
The appeal of the Dean’s or Vice President’s decision in Step 1 goes to a Presidents’

Grievance Committee.  This Committee includes 1) the President of the University or designee, and 2) the he local AAUP Chapter President or designee.  It acts as a two-member panel to hear the grievance. The Presidents’ Grievance Committee reviews, and investigate the grievance.  The grievant and/or representative and Management’s representative will have the opportunity to be heard.

If the President (or designee) and AAUP Chapter President (or designee) agree then their decision will be final and binding on all parties. If they disagree then the grievance automatically goes to the next step.

Step 3 – Grievance Arbitration Committee (Art. 15.5.3)
In Step 3 a State University Grievance Arbitration Committee is formed to review the grievance. This committee includes 1) the Chancellor of the Board of Regents or designee, and 2) the President of CSU-AAUP or designee.  These designees can include legal counsel.

If the Chancellor of the Board of Regents or designee and the President of CSU-AAUP or designee agree on a decision about the grievance than that decision is final and binding upon

all parties. If they disagree then either CSU-AAUP or management may elect to appeal the grievance to arbitration.

Step 4 – Arbitration (Art. 15.5.4)
Step 4 is Arbitration.  Both CSU-AAUP and management select an arbitrator in accordance with rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator’s decision and award is final and binding upon all parties.