Grievance Committee

The Grievance Committee upholds the integrity of the Academic Staff Collective Agreement (ASCA) by investigating and ensuring that its terms are followed.

Operating under Article 12 of the ULFA bylaws regarding confidentiality, members of the Committee shall not use information learned in the conduct of their duties in such a way as to disclose information about or identify a Member outside of the grievance process, but shall be privy to all information necessary to conduct their duties.

Terms of Reference

1. The Grievance Chair or delegate shall conduct preliminary and prima facie investigation of complaints, the information to be presented to the Committee.
2. At the request of the complaining Member, he/she shall have the right to appear before the Grievance Committee.
3. The Committee shall hear complaints of Members and advise them and all Members involved as to their rights and the relative merit or potential of their grievance or other remedies including litigation and mediation.
4. The Committee shall recommend to the Executive Committee action in accordance with Article 9 of the collective agreement.
5. The Committee may recommend to Executive Committee to negotiate the resolution of grievances, including interpretations, specifications and other clarifications of the collective agreement.
6. The Executive Committee shall inform the Committee of progress during negotiations; and shall otherwise be informed by Executive Committee of any developments impacting the negotiations of which the Executive Committee is aware.
7. The Committee shall recommend to the Executive Committee the negotiated settlement of grievances.

NOTE: Grievance procedures are provided in Article 9 collective agreement.

Membership Criteria

Members should be knowledgeable (or interested in becoming knowledgeable) about the collective agreement and related matters, i.e. other collective agreements, labour law, rights arbitration, requirements of the duty of fair representation and procedural fairness.

Elected members shall serve two-year terms and, whenever possible, three new members shall be elected each year.

Ex officio: ULFA President, past Chair where applicable.

Elected: Chair and at least six (6) members; The Past Chair of the Committee should, if possible, serve ex officio on the Committee. The Committee shall comprise the following representation, unless sufficient nominees cannot be found from a constituency or constituencies: Arts & Science (3); Professional Faculties (3); Instructors/Academic Assistants (1); Librarians (1); Chief Shop Steward (1). The Past Chair will fill a position and hence there will be no election for that standing committee/constituency.