Abstract

This article presents information about the grievance procedure followed by the Lockheed-California Co. in Burbank, California. The time seemed appropriate to initiate a positive program of effective grievance administration. The program developed and grew through an increasing awareness of the benefits that could he achieved by more effective grievance administration. Discussions were held in groups and staff meetings in Industrial Relations. The union plays a very important part in any company's grievance administration. Without union concurrence it is impossible to settle a grievance short of arbitration or the courts. Plant personnel representatives encouraged them to discuss problems and disagreements orally with them and supervision before filing a written grievance. This makes a lot of sense from the standpoint of mutual satisfaction with the grievance settlement and at the same time is more economical for both the company and the union. The union committee composed of elected representatives from each local and a management committee sits in judgment upon the grievance. If the grievance is not settled before this Committee, it goes to arbitration.