What is a Grievance?

A grievance is a written complaint presented by the union to the employer. Union representatives, including stewards, may present a grievance if they believe that an employee, a group of employees, the membership as a whole, or the union has been aggrieved or treated unjustly or unfairly. Only the union can present or withdraw a grievance.

If you feel your rights have been violated, contact any shop steward, the Grievance Officer, or the Local President.

Grievances are violations of the Collective Agreement. If you are unsure if the issue is a violation, contact any shop steward for clarification.

If it is not a grievance, you have the right to complain under Article 9.07 of the urban collective agreement and under Article 9.02 of the rural collective agreement.

Submit a Grievance

You can obtain an Internal Grievance Investigation Form from a Shop Steward, from the Bulletin Board of your depot, or from your Local office.

You can also submit a grievance online or download a digital version of the form and submit it in person or via email to cupw824go@sasktel.net or cupw@sasktel.net:

Grievance Investigation Form (Fillable PDF) (Can be submitted via email)

Local 824's Grievance Form with Instructions (Fillable PDF) (Can be submitted via email)

Grievance Investigation Form (PDF - Print and Write)

Grievance Investigation Form (.doc)

Additional Forms:

Witness Statement (If Applicable)

Request for Personal File (Always ask to see your personal file before a 24 meeting and remove anything that is over a year old. One year after your 24 meeting, request your personal file and remove that 24 meeting from your file.)

Specialized Grievance Forms:

Remove and Replace Investigation Form (For employees that were removed and replaced in their section by another employee).

Enlist the Aid of a Shop Steward

This form should be completed with the aid of a steward who will conduct an investigation and submit the form to the local office. The Local cannot over-emphasize the importance of accuracy and timing when filing a grievance. Grievances are often won or lost based on good notes. It is imperative to write down the facts as soon as they happen, and just as importantly, to have witnesses to the alleged grievance. Under the collective agreement the Corporation must allow you grievance time. The Local suggests you make use of this time. Don’t be in a rush to fill out a grievance form. Ask a steward to help you, as they have the training to ensure the right information is documented.

Grievances should be filled as soon as you are aware of a violation by the employer as time limits do apply which may invalidate a grievance if they are missed.

The levels of a grievance and time limits are as follows:

  • You have 25 working days from the time you became aware there was a grievance, this is extended to 60 days for a group grievance.

  • Once the Local files your grievance there is a local grievance hearing schedule usually 20-30 days after filing

  • If your grievance is denied at first level, and it probably will be, your grievance will receive an arbitration date

  • There are meetings held between the Corporation and the Union before a scheduled arbitration. These are called pre arbs and are used to try and settle or at least narrow down the issues, before an arbitration is held.

Members are responsible to supply the Local with:

  • Your 24 notice of interview.

  • The narrative of interview you receive from the Corporation. This is generally separate from a discipline letter.

  • Any letter of discipline from the Corporation.

IMPORTANT: keep copies of everything.

ANYTIME YOU RECEIVE A LETTER from the Corporation that states “A LETTER WILL BE PLACED ON YOUR PERSONAL FILE” you should immediately review it with a Steward. DO NOT ASSUME THE LETTER MEANS NOTHING.