Never miss a grievance time limit: a simple system for stewards and reps
· 4 min read
Short answerMissed time limits usually come from deadlines living in one person’s head. Record every grievance the day it is filed, calculate each step’s due date from the contract, send reminders to the steward and rep, and review open cases weekly.
Capture it the day it happens
The clock often starts when the member raises the issue, not when the paperwork reaches the office. Make it easy for stewards to open a case from a phone, with notes and photos, so the record starts on day one.
Let the contract set the dates
Each agreement defines its own steps and time limits. Store them once per contract, and have every new case inherit them:
- Calendar or working days, as the contract defines.
- Who must respond at each step, and by when.
- What happens if the employer misses its own deadline.
Review weekly
A ten-minute weekly review of open cases, sorted by next deadline, catches what reminders miss. Over time the same records show officers which articles and employers generate the most grievances.