Grievance Forms and Complaint Forms: What's The Difference?

Not every problem is a grievance. Complaints are not always grievances. Yeah, sounds confusing, doesn't it?

For some reason, we have two types of "grievance" forms at Local 308. Please follow this advice so you can get your workplace issues resolved properly.

Here's what you need to know: If you have an problem with pay, benefits or write-ups, you need a Grievance Form. If you have a problem with working conditions, harassment or suggestions about changing things at work for the Contract or work rules, you need a Complaint Form.

Got rats in the kiosk, a fellow union member or officer who is giving you a hard time or tired of the manager threatening you? That's a Complaint Form.

Got skipped for overtime, written up for some nonsense or are missing pay for a day? That's a Grievance Form.

Grievances go to the Vice Presidents. Complaints go to the President. 

Please fax your Grievance Forms to 773-253-0310 or drop them off in-person to 11204 S. Western Avenue between 9 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday. Never ever trust anyone to write and submit a grievance on your behalf without getting a copy with a grievance number! I have heard of too many that were lost and the member was screwed because they trusted someone else to do it. 

I keep both forms on me while at work. So if you see me, just ask. Also, they are available to download and print at the links below. In this paragraph is a link from the Chicago Transit Justice Coalition that includes all of the grievance forms for Local 308 and Local 241: https://bit.ly/3pklDgu

Tips: Include a remedy/solution in your Grievance or Complaint Forms. Also include supporting documentation. Always confirm that your Grievance or Complaint Form was received! Grievances must be submitted within 30 days after the offense. Complaints have no time limit. If you need help writing or proofreading the grievance, ask a trusted union steward/officer or just call me at 779-456-6460 or email me at ericbasir.308@gmail.com.

Below the pictures of forms is a chart that explains the Grievance process.

Local 308 Grievance Form by Chicago Transit Justice Coa...

Local 308 Complaint Form by Chicago Transit Justice Coa...

Grievance Procedure by Chicago Transit Justice Coa...