What is the right to representation in a grievance filed under the negotiated grievance procedure?
When a union files a grievance on behalf of an employee, the agency is required to deal only with the union over all matters pertaining to that grievance. Any dealing with the employee in the absence of the union would be a bypass of the union, as well as a formal discussion violation. If an employee elects to file a grievance on his/her own behalf, the union would not be the representative of the employee for purposes of the grievance, but still must be afforded the opportunity to be present during the processing of the grievance.
