Legal Definitions - grievant

A grievant is an employee, typically a member of a labor union, who formally initiates a complaint against their employer regarding a workplace issue. This complaint, known as a grievance, is filed according to a specific procedure outlined in the collective bargaining agreement (the contract between the union and the employer).

• Scenario: Maria, a long-time employee at a manufacturing plant, is a member of the local steelworkers' union. When a supervisory position opened, she applied, believing her seniority and experience made her the most qualified candidate. However, the company promoted a less-senior employee from outside her department. Maria believes this decision violates the promotion clauses in her union's collective bargaining agreement.
  Explanation: In this situation, Maria becomes the grievant because she is an employee filing a formal complaint (a grievance) against her employer, alleging a violation of the union contract's terms regarding promotions. She will follow the established grievance procedure to address her concern.
• Scenario: David, a unionized city sanitation worker, was suspended for three days without pay after an alleged safety violation. David believes the suspension was unwarranted and that he followed all safety protocols. He consults with his union representative and decides to formally challenge the disciplinary action, arguing it violates the "just cause" provision of their collective bargaining agreement.
  Explanation: David is the grievant here because he is an employee formally disputing a disciplinary action taken by his employer. He is utilizing the grievance procedure established in his union contract to challenge what he perceives as an unfair suspension.
• Scenario: A group of unionized hospital nurses has been consistently assigned shifts that exceed the maximum hours stipulated in their collective bargaining agreement, leading to burnout and concerns about patient safety. One nurse, Sarah, decides to formally document these violations and submit a complaint through the union's established process to address the employer's scheduling practices.
  Explanation: Sarah acts as the grievant by formally raising a complaint about working conditions that she believes violate the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Her action initiates the formal process to resolve the dispute between the employees and the hospital management.