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by Contract Number (PDF) - OCSEA

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26, 1994. The language of <strong>Contract</strong> Article 25<br />

clearly outlines the fixed time limits associated<br />

with filing a grievance. The detrimental reliance<br />

argument of the grievant was not sufficiently<br />

supported <strong>by</strong> the record to constitute an "unusual<br />

circumstance" and is insufficient to overcome the<br />

clear language of the pertinent <strong>Contract</strong> Article.<br />

The grievance, therefore, was not filed in a<br />

timely manner and was therefore not arbitrable.<br />

584 (1994-97 contract)<br />

Article 25.02 requires that a legible copy of the<br />

grievance form must be filed when appealing to<br />

Step 4 of the grievance procedure. Since Article<br />

25.02 was not satisfied, the grievance was not<br />

arbitrable. 597 (1994-97 contract)<br />

The Arbitrator concluded that the State had<br />

agreed to combine grievance numbers 251 and<br />

302. Because the grievances involved many of<br />

the same facts, it was logical to combine them.<br />

628<br />

The Arbitrator found that the CBA was not<br />

applied in this matter, and he noted that in the<br />

language in Article 25.02, Grievance Steps, the<br />

words “occurrence” and “events” meant that<br />

something must have happened to trigger the<br />

grievance. The Arbitrator further found that a<br />

contractually mandated event had not transpired<br />

in this case because the grievant was not denied<br />

his benefits. He concluded that an easy solution<br />

to the controversy was to ask the Factfinder. He<br />

stated that “when an employee is denied benefits<br />

due to the interpretation of the State on the<br />

manner in which balances are to be computed,<br />

the controversy will be ripe for a grievance and<br />

possible arbitration.” 709<br />

25.02 - Grievance Steps<br />

The grievant was charged with sexual<br />

harassment of a co-worker. The record indicated<br />

that no action taken during investigation was<br />

sufficient to modify or vacate the suspension,<br />

however some of the statements the investigator<br />

collected could not be relied upon because they<br />

were hearsay or rebutted <strong>by</strong> the witness. The<br />

arbitrator noted that the matter came down to the<br />

testimony of one person against another and<br />

there was no substantial evidence to sustain the<br />

charge. The arbitrator determined that the matter<br />

was properly before her because it was appealed<br />

within ninety days of the Step 3 response. The<br />

arbitrator noted that the fact that it was appealed<br />

before the mediation meeting did not invalidate<br />

the appeal. 807<br />

The Ohio State Highway Patrol began a criminal<br />

investigation in August 2001 of the activities of<br />

the grievant, including those while the grievant<br />

was on duty as an employee of the Department.<br />

The grievant was subsequently discharged on<br />

December 12, 2001. The union filed a grievance<br />

challenging the discharge. The union requested<br />

the arbitration proceed under Section 25.02 of<br />

the contract with the state of Ohio. Delays have<br />

resulted based on the belief of criminal charges<br />

were going to be filed against the grievant. No<br />

charges were filed, yet the Department refused to<br />

schedule the arbitration. Under Section 25.02, a<br />

strict timeline is set out for the processing of<br />

Discharge Grievances unless the grievance<br />

involves criminal charges of on duty actions of<br />

the employee, grievants who are unable to attend<br />

due to a disability, or grievances that involve an<br />

unfair labor practice charge, in which the strict<br />

time limits may be exceeded. The Department<br />

was found to have the burden of proof showing<br />

that the exception to the strict timeline of<br />

scheduling the discharge grievance is present on<br />

the facts. The Department argued that the<br />

criminal investigation was included as a criminal<br />

charge within the language of Section 25.02.<br />

The arbitrator found that the criminal<br />

investigation did not fall within the criminal<br />

charges exception. The arbitrator cited Section<br />

24.04 in which criminal investigation and<br />

criminal charges were plainly distinguished. The<br />

arbitrator also stated that criminal investigation<br />

did not meet the definition of criminal charge as<br />

given <strong>by</strong> the Department. The plain language of<br />

the contract makes the criminal investigation<br />

outside of the criminal charges exception and<br />

therefore, the normal timeline should be<br />

followed under Section 25.02. 816<br />

The grievant was terminated as a Correction<br />

Officer at the Lima Correctional Institution.<br />

Under Article 25.02 of the <strong>Contract</strong>, a grievance<br />

involving a layoff or discipline shall be initiated<br />

at Step three (3) of the grievance procedure<br />

within fourteen days of notification of such<br />

action. The grievance was filed twenty-four<br />

days after the Union was notified of the removal.<br />

The arbitrator found that the <strong>Contract</strong> language<br />

was clear and that discharge grievances must be<br />

filed with the Agency Head or designee within<br />

fourteen days of notification. While OCB had a<br />

new address and there were new players for both<br />

the Union and institution involved with this<br />

grievance, these factors do not make the<br />

enforcement of the fourteen-day time limit

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