Grievance Procedure

Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement governs the grievance procedure between the APWU and the Postal Service.

A grievance is defined in Article 15 as a “dispute, difference, disagreement or complaint between the parties related to wages, hours, and conditions of employment.”  That definition is very broad.  You should never let a postal supervisor or manager tell you that you “don’t have a grievance”.  If you have questions about whether or not you have a grievance you should request “union time” from your immediate supervisor to meet with a local steward. 

The grievance procedure consists of 4 “steps”. 

• Step-1 where an individual meets and discusses the issue with their supervisor,
• Step-2 where an union official meets with a Postal Service official if the issue was not resolved at step-1,
• Step-3 where a national APWU representative meets with an area postal official if resolution does not occur at step-2, and
• Step-4 finally, binding arbitration in front of a neutral arbitrator selected jointly by the parties to hear the grievance. 

In order for a grievance to be considered “timely” it must be first discussed (“filed”) at step-1 within 14-days of when the employee or the union learned, of may reasonably been expected to have learned, of the issue. 

If you believe you may have a grievance or if you are unsure whether or not you have a grievance, please contact your state or local union representatives.