APPENDIX 3 - GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Grievance Procedure agreed by the ACCS and the ASTI

The Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools and the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, have agreed to recommend that the attached Grievance Procedure be adopted by Boards of Management and members of ASTI in Community and Comprehensive Schools.  This Grievance Procedure should be used where an informal resolution of differences proves to be impossible.  Each school should endeavour to create a climate where informal solutions to problems are the norm.

1.         PREAMBLE

The primary objective of this agreement is to promote co-operation and orderly and harmonious relationships between the school and the ASTI members in its employment, which will assist in the attainment of the

effective operation of the school.  The interpretation and implementation of this agreement shall be the subject of consultation and agreement between the union and management representatives.

Each school shall have established an agreed method by which teachers are consulted in the establishment of procedures which might affect the working conditions or practices or terms of employment of teachers.  Any proposed change or alteration in such procedures should be the subject of prior consultation and agreement between the Management of the school and the ASTI and in the absence of such agreement both parties shall agree to maintain the status-quo.  In the event of disagreement arising, the union and the management may invoke the grievance procedures outlined below.

This agreed procedure may be reviewed at any time at the request of ASTI or   ACS.

2.         SCOPE OF AGREEMENT

The terms of this agreement shall apply to all ASTI members in the school.

3.         UNION MEMBERSHIP

On recruitment, all teachers will be informed by the school of the provisions of this agreement.

4.         GRIEVANCE AND DISPUTES PROCEDURES

(a)        In the event of a grievance or dispute arising in the school, either party to the agreement shall formally invoke the grievance procedure and outline the nature of the grievance or dispute to the other party.  A formal meeting between the Principal or Acting Principal and the school steward and/or a deputation of 2 - 3 teachers shall be held within two days of the grievance being notified to the other party. The Principal may be accompanied at this meeting by other persons of his/her choice.

(b)        Should discussion fail to effect a settlement of the matter at issue, union representatives from outside the school, including representatives of Head Office, where requested by the school steward, should meet with the Principal to attempt to achieve a settlement.  This meeting should take place within two to five working days.

(c)        In the event of a settlement not being reached at this stage, the Head Office of the association may request a meeting with the Board of Management of the school which may be accompanied at such a meeting by representatives of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools.  Such a meeting should be the next ordinary meeting of the Board of Management unless an emergency meeting is requested by the Association in which case, the interval should not exceed ten working days.

(d)       Should the parties still fail to agree, the matter might then be referred to an agreed, appropriate outside body.

(e)        The times as specified in 4(a) - 4(e) may, for good and sufficient reason and by mutual agreement, be extended.

5          STAFF REPRESENTATIVES

            (a)        In order that staff representatives may efficiently and effectively carry out their functions, the school will afford such representatives such time off from work without loss of earnings, as may be necessary for the performance of their duties within the limits of discretion allowed to Boards of Managements by the Department of Education.  This includes time off for attending trade union meetings, training courses, seminars, conferences and congresses.

Grievance Procedure agreed by ACS and TUI

The Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools and the Teachers Union of Ireland have agreed to recommend that the following Grievance Procedure should be adopted by members of the Teachers Union of Ireland and Boards of Management in Community and Comprehensive Schools.

The Grievance Procedure is a formal one.  It should be used in circumstances in which informal resolution of difficulties is not possible.

It is recommended that every school endeavour to ensure that relationships between staff and management are such that informal solutions to problems are the norm.

In all stages of the Grievance Procedure, the School Representative should normally be present. In the absence of the School Representative, another representative of the School Committee should be present.

Note 1: The time limits laid down for Stages 3 and 4 may be extended for good and sufficient  reason, by mutual agreement of the parties concerned.

Note 2: It is agreed that while the Grievance Procedure is being followed the status quo should remain.

STAGE 1        Representatives of the School Committee should formally invoke the Grievance Procedure and outline the nature of the grievance in writing to the Principal.  A formal meeting with the Principal (or Acting Principal) should be held within two working days.

The Principal may be accompanied at this meeting by another person of his/her choice.  TUI should be represented by a minimum of two members of the School Committee.

STAGE 2        If the matter is not resolved at Stage 1, the TUI School Representative should seek a meeting of the Principal (or Acting Principal) and the Branch representatives and/or Area Representative.  The Principal must arrange for this meeting to be held within two to five working days.  The Principal may be accompanied at this meeting by another person of his/her choice.

STAGE 3        If the matter is not resolved at Stage 2, the Branch Representative and/or Area Representative should seek a meeting with the Board of Management which shall take place within two weeks (ten working days).

STAGE 4        If the matter is not resolved at Stage 3, TUI Head Office should seek a formal meeting with the Board. The Board may be accompanied at such a meeting by representatives of the ACS. This meeting shall take place within two weeks (ten working days) of receipt of the request.