eWEa and EWCSD agree to resolve complaints amicably at the lowest possible level and without delay.
eWEa and EWCSD also agree to make every effort to resolve complaints informally (through the Complaint Procedure) before initiating a grievance.
The steps of both procedures must be taken in order. Failure to do so will result in being redirected to the last properly taken step.

The Complaint Procedure

The entire complaint procedure must take place within 15 workdays of the incident in question.
Step 1: Address the Person
  • ​Address the issue with the colleague or administrator.
  • Usually, the issue involves a violation of the eWEa/EWCSD contract, EWCSD policies, CA Ed Code, or CA Labor Code.
  • If you address the issue orally, follow it up as soon as possible with a summary of the conversation sent via email to the person.
  • ​eWEa is usually not involved at this step of the process.
Step 2: Address the Supervisor
  • ​If the issue continues, then it's time to bring the complaint to your or, if the issue is with an administrator, the administrator's supervisor.
  • An eWEa representative may be present at this meeting.
  • If the issue is with an administrator, you may wish to meet with the administrator a second time and include an eWEa representative in the second meeting.
Step 3: Contact eWEa Leadership
  • If meeting with the supervisor does not resolve the issue, then the eWEa grievance chair or eWEa president should be contacted.
  • ​eWEa leadership will then contact the supervisor to discuss a solution to the issue and/or will bring the issue to Roundtable.
  • Roundtable is a regular, informal meeting between eWEa leadership and EWCSD leadership to discuss and resolve issues amicably.

The Grievance Procedure

Step 1: File a Grievance
  • If the issue is not resolved informally, then eWEa may file a formal grievance in writing to your or, if the issue is with an administrator, the administrator's immediate supervisor.
  • A grievance is a claim by an eWEa member, or eWEa leadership, that there has been a violation of the eWEa/EWCSD contract.
  • Within 10 workdays from receiving the grievance, the supervisor must meet with you and/or an eWEa representative in an effort to resolve the matter.​
  • At this point eWEa leadership can fully represent you.
  • Within 10 workdays from receiving the grievance, or 5 workdays after meeting to resolve the matter, the supervisor must render a response in writing including reasons if denied.

Step 2: Appeal to the Superintendent

  • If no response is provided by the supervisor within the required time, or within 10 workdays if the response is not satisfactory, the grievance may be appealed in writing to the Superintendent or a designee.
  • ​Within 10 workdays of receiving the written appeal, the Superintendent/designee must meet with you and, if you request it, an eWEa representative in an effort to resolve the matter.
  • ​Within 10 workdays from receiving the grievance, or 5 workdays after meeting to resolve the matter, the Superintendent/designee must forward a response in writing to all interested parties.

Step 3: Go to Arbitration

  • If you are not satisfied with the response given, or if no response is given within the time limits specified, you may ask eWEa leadership to submit the grievance to arbitration.
  • If eWEa leadership decides to send the grievance to arbitration, it must notify the Superintendent within 10 workdays of receiving the response.
  • An eWEa representative and the Superintendent, or a designee, must meet within 5 workdays to agree on an arbitrator.

Step 4: The Arbitration Hearing

  • The arbitrator will convene the hearing at the earliest possible mutually agreeable date to consider evidence and arguments.
  • The arbitrator will find whether there has been a violation of the eWEa/EWCSD contract and, if there has been a violation, the arbitrator will order an appropriate remedy. 
  • ​The award of the arbitrator is binding.
For further assistance contact your site representative or Brent Vogelman, eWEa Grievance Chairperson.