Steps Any level of review or any time limit established in this procedure may be waived or extended by mutual agreement of the State's representative and CSEA's representative. Beginning with any formal level, if the employee fails to appeal from one level to the next level within the time limits established in this grievance procedure, the grievance shall be considered settled on the basis of the last decision, and the grievance shall not be subject to further appeal or reconsideration. If the State fails to respond to a grievance within the time limits specified for that step, the grievant shall have the right to appeal to the next step. At any step of the grievance procedure the parties, by mutual agreement, may determine it desirable to hold a grievance conference. If a grievance conference is scheduled, the grievant or a CSEA employee representative or both may attend without loss of compensation.
All parties recognize that it is mutually beneficial to resolve disputes as informally as possible.
When informal resolution is not possible, a formal grievance may be filed. A formal grievance shall be initiated in writing on a form provided by the State and shall be filed with a designated local manager identified by each department head as the first formal level of appeal. Said grievance shall include a statement as to the specific contract sections that were allegedly violated, the date of the alleged violation, the specific acts causing the alleged violation, and the specific remedy or remedies being sought. No agreement, interpretation or grievance settlement made at this stage of the grievance procedure shall be considered precedential. All interpretations and settlements shall be consistent with the provisions of this Agreement.