Tips for Good Grievance Writing

1. Don’t go into too much detail.  Use the 5 W’s and put only enough information to identify the grievance.

2.  Limit what you write on the grievance form to the bare essentials of what happened. Leave out personal judgments, any evidence we might use, and the full justification for the union position.  In many cases this information may only be used by management to prepare a better case against our member. 

Example:  “The grievant, Joe Smith, has been discriminated against by his supervisor, and the union has three witnesses to the treatment, in addition to work assignment records….”

A better way to phrase this grievance might be:

“The grievant, Duke Snider, has been treated unfairly in the assignment of work in violation of Article 7 and all other articles and policies that may apply.” 

3.  When stating why we have grounds for a grievance (what was violated), don’t limit the union’s position to a single section of the contract.

Example:  A better version of “the supervisor’s action violates Section 12 of the contract…” would be:

“The supervisor’s action violates Section 12 of the Contract and all other articles and policies that apply.”

4.  Cover yourself when stating specifics. Technicalities like how the grievance is written have been used in the past to deny grievances.

Example:  Better than “On January 13, the grievant was bypassed for job bid…” would be:

“On or about January 13…””

5.  Members have not always receive everything they might deserve if the settlement requested was poorly worded.  Always use the phrase “be made whole.”

Example:  Better than “the union requests the grievant be reinstated…”Would be:

 “The union requests that the grievant be reinstated and made whole in every way.”

6.  Don’t get personal.  Remember that you are stating a union position rather than launching a personal attack.

Example:  Better than “I demand that the supervisor, Jill Joke stop taking out her pent up frustrations on the workers in her department” would be:

“The Union demands that the violation cease.”

7.  It is a good idea to try to resolve the problem with the supervisor before writing a grievance, however, keep in mind the time limits you have to file a grievance in your union contract.

8.  Consult with more experienced stewards or union representatives if you have some questions or need assistance.

 Use the key phrases written on the grievance form below in every grievance you write!