AGCEP Grievance/ Problem Solving Information
Grievance: Violations of the AGCEP contractual provisions, employment laws, rules and regulations are considered grievances. Examples of grievances include: not being paid the appropriate amount for approved overtime pay, improper deduction of health insurance co-payments, or a supervisor disregarding the evaluation or observation process. Alleged violation of the AGCEP contract or related terms and conditions of employment should be brought to the attention of your building representative as soon as possible. The building representative will assist with the administration of the grievance procedure and investigate the claimed violation. Page 6-7 of the AGCEP contract outlines the Problem Solving/Grievance Procedure.
Gripe: Many times AGCEP representatives are asked to become involved with problems that are of a personal nature or deal with personality issues. These matters are not subject to the grievance procedure unless they can be tied to workplace behavior between a District Administrator and an AGCEP unit member. Problems between co-workers, non-work problems and personality conflicts should be dealt with using EAP or other appropriate resources that the District may have to address the issue.
Improper Practice Charges: The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) enforces employer violations of the Taylor Law. Such violations include: coercing, discouraging or encouraging unit members from participating in a union; domination or interference with the administration of a union; interfering with or discriminating against a unit member seeking to participate in their union or for being an active member (such as talking with a union representative, filing a grievance or running for union office); or for not bargaining with the union in good faith. If you feel that an administrator is in violation of any of these rights, your should contact the AGCEP President as soon as possible.
AGCEP Contract (page. 6)–Article VII
Problem Solving/Grievance Procedure
2. Procedure
Every effort should be made to resolve issues of concern on the local school level with the employee and the building administrators. If a resolution can not be reached after attempting to resolve the issue, the employee will move the issue to the Problem Solving Process:
- Step One
The employee should document the issue by completing the Problem Solving Process from, detailing problem and all information in an attempt to resolve the issue. The form must be signed by the employee and submitted to the school building principal. This process will initiate the problem solving process.
The school building principal has twenty (20) school days from the date the claim was received to respond. Within the twenty (20) school days, either the Unit Member or immediate supervisor may request an Association Building Representative or another individual within the building to assist in the attempt to resolve the problem. If the problem is not resolved within the twenty (20) school days of the receipt of the claim, the problem shall advance to step Two.
The AGCEP President is responsible for the remaining Grievance procedures Step Two through Step Five.