The grievance (or dispute) procedure is a process agreed between your employer and the SDA by which you can raise your concern, discuss it and reach a satisfactory outcome.

All Enterprise Agreements and Awards contain a grievance procedure and generally include the following steps:

Step 1.
The member notifies their immediate line manager/department manager of their concern/problem. If a satisfactory outcome is not achieved go to Step 2.

Step 2.
The matter is raised at the next level of management. It’s at this level that the member is assisted by the support and representation of a Shop Steward, Delegate or SDA Organiser if no Shop Steward or Delegate exists. If the matter is still not resolved at the store manager level go to Step 3.

Step 3.
If the workplace has a Shop Steward or Delegate and the matter is still not resolved, the SDA Organiser will become involved at workplace level. If the matter is still not resolved at the organiser level, the issue is escalated to Step 4.

Step 4.
The SDA Organiser will take the matter up with a higher level within the company, usually the Human Relations department. If the matter is still not resolved at this level, the issue is further escalated to Step 5.

Step 5.
The SDA Organiser passes the matter to the SDA Industrial Officers who will the raise the issue at higher levels within the company. This may involve a combination of the company’s state and national offices. If the matter is still not resolved at this level, the issue is further escalated to the final stage of the grievance procedure, Step 6.

Step 6.
The SDA Industrial Officers will consult with the SDA Branch Secretary, Chris Gazenbeek, and determine whether an Industrial Case should proceed to the Fair Work Commission where final discussions will be held and the Commission may finally arbitrate on the matter.

Important Points.

• This whole process is FREE for SDA members.
• It is wise to seek advice and guidance from your Shop Steward, Delegate or call the union office before Step 1 of the grievance procedure.
• During Step 1, it is important to inform the company you are ‘invoking the grievance procedure’. Using these exact words is not vital but you need to inform the company of the seriousness of your issue/s.
• Take accurate notes throughout each step of the grievance procedure. Accurate notes, by definition, separate the facts from the emotion of the problem/issue. This is particularly the case if and when the issue progresses to Step 2 of the grievance procedure and beyond.