The Employer agrees to input Union appeals to Step 2 of the Grievance Procedure into GATS (Grievance-Arbitration Tracking System) within 72 hours and advise the Union of the GATS number that has been assigned to the appeal. In the event, the Union is not so advised within 72 hours of the date of the appeal, it will not result in the filing of an additional grievance or ULP, but the Union will inform the Manager, Labor Relations (District) or designee, who will be responsible for promptly ensuring the appeal is input and the Union informed of the assigned number. If any further problems continue to arise, related to this procedure, the appropriate National Business Agent will advise the undersigned parties.
The parties agree that the procedure for GATS Step 2 appeal input will have no effect on the time limits set forth for the processing of grievances under the terms of Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Management representatives will not postpone the processing of any grievance due to a GATS input failure.