What is a grievance?

True or False?  Under the CSU-AAUP contract, a grievance is “a real or imagined wrong or other cause for complaint or protest, especially unfair treatment.”

False.  As made clear in Art. 15.1.1, “a ‘grievance’ is an allegation or complaint that there has been a violation of the collective bargaining agreement and/or procedures or prescribed criteria rules” established by that agreement.  In other words, it is a violation of the Contract.  Therefore, if a member wishes to file a grievance they must indicate the article(s) of the contract which they believe have been violated.  When unfair treatment happens CSU-AAUP will try to resolve it informally (see Art. 15.2) but cannot file a formal grievance about it.

For more questions and answers about the contract go to Contract Q & A.