A grievance is any claim by an employee that there has been a violation the Agreement between the Westfield School Committee and the Westfield Education Association (WEA), which will be herein called the Contract.
As stated in the Contract, it is usually desirable for an individual and his/her Principal or Supervisor to resolve problems through an informal meeting, a union representative can be present at such meetings if so desired by the individual.
If the issue is not resolved in informal meetings, then the individual can contact the grievance chair, Kristen Biancuzzo, to discuss the issue and a Level 1 grievance can be filed. A Level 1 meeting will then be held with the Principal/Supervisor, the grievant and the grievance chair to try and resolve the issue.
If the issue is not resolved at this Level I meeting to the satisfaction of the grievant, the grievance may proceed to Level 2. The information regarding the grievance will be forwarded to the Human Resources director, and a meeting to discuss the issue will be held between the Director of Human Resources, the grievant and the grievance chair.
If the grievant is not satisfied with the results of this Level 2 meeting, the grievance may proceed to Level 3. The information regarding the grievance will be forwarded to the School Committee. A Level 3 meeting will be held between the School Committee, Administration, the grievant, the grievance chair and any other individuals deemed necessary by the WEA. A decision will be made by the School Committee regarding the grievance.
If the grievant and the WEA are not satisfied with the decision made by the School Committee, the grievance may proceed to Level 4. The grievance will be filed and processed through the American Arbitration Association. Evidence from Administration and the WEA will be presented, and the decision reached by arbitration will be final and binding to all parties involved.