the Chief, the Union may file a written request with the Chief, receipt required, to
have the grievance considered by the Fire Commission. Once the request is filed,
authorized Union personnel and members of the Commission may communicate
with each other about the grievance both outside of and at the regularly scheduled
Commission meeting. All requests received no later than 5:00 PM on the
Wednesday next preceding a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission,
together with a copy of the grievance, a copy of any written evidence submitted by
the Union, and a copy of the Chief's decision, will be included on the agenda of the
Commission for that meeting. All requests received subsequent to 5:00 PM of the
Wednesday next preceding a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission will
be included, with the above additional information, on the agenda for the next
regularly scheduled meeting. Once the request is placed on the agenda for a
regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission, then
Step OT:
The Fire Commission shall, at their next regularly scheduled meeting, consider the
grievance and within ten (10) working days of the said meeting, notify the Union
in writing of their disposition of the grievance. In the event the employee and the
Union are not in accord with the disposition by the Commission, then
Step IV:
Within thirty (30) days of the documented receipt of the Commissioners ruling by
the Union, either the Union or the City will have the option of submitting any
remaining disagreement over the interpretation or application of a specific
provision of this Agreement, settled by arbitration. The parties agree to submit
such grievances to the Public Employee Labor Relations Board and to abide by the
rules and procedures set forth by said Board, or may submit them to a different
arbitrator agreed by the parties. Determinations and decisions set forth by said
arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties. Each party to the arbitration
shall assume its own expenses and an equal share of the expenses of the arbitrator.
The Demand for Arbitration must be postmarked within thirty (30) days of the
documented receipt of the Commissioners ruling by the Union.
B. The times for taking action stated above may be extended by mutual
consent in writing, but all the steps of this procedure shall be handled as
expeditiously as possible with a view to promoting and maintaining complete
harmony. Request of either party for extensions of time shall not be unreasonably
denied.
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