How the Grievance Process Works

1. The grievance procedure is an orderly process whereby a complaint is presented through a succession of steps so that those closest to a dispute, both on behalf of the association and management, can try to reach a resolution.
2. At each step there should be a good faith effort by all parties to achieve an equitable settlement.
3. The CTA contract has an informal procedure at Step 1. Step 1 involves a meeting between the employee with his or her building representative or CTA staff person and the immediate supervisor. Through informal discussion, the parties attempt to reach a satisfactory settlement.
4. If the parties are unsuccessful at the informal level, the complaint is usually reduced to writing as a grievance and submitted formally at Step Two.
5. The written submission at Step Two should be responded to formally in writing by the supervisor. There is not a meeting during Step 2 of the grievance process.
6. If the written submission at Step Two is not acceptable, the decision is appealed to Employment Relations by filing a Step 3 grievance form.  Efforts to satisfactorily resolve the grievance continue at this step when a meeting is held with an Employee Relations Manager.
7. If the local process has been exhausted without resolving the grievance, the CTA may proceed to arbitration. Arbitration is very similar to a court hearing. The CTA and District agree on an Arbitrator or Administrative Law Judge who will conduct the hearing and issue a decision.
8. Arbitration is the process which provides for a binding resolution to the grievance by an impartial third party.

ALERT:

If you need any assistance with grievances, please contact your CTA staff representative. You must file a grievance in a timely manner. Please refer to the CTA contract for timelines!