ARTICLE 6.        GRIEVANCE SYSTEM                EFFECTIVE DATE:  05/04/98
RULE 601.           GENERAL                                     REVISED DATE:

A.    GENERAL:

        1.    The Court recognizes that it is in the best interest of all involved to resolve employee complaints 
                at the lowest possible level in the organization and through informal process. Therefore, 
                supervisory and non-supervisory personnel are encouraged to resolve employee complaints 
                at the earliest possible level in the resolution process(es). Except as stated otherwise, 
                employees must meet with their supervisor to discuss the problem and resolution prior to 
                filing a grievance.

        2.    REPRESENTATION: Employees may choose to have either legal or non-legal representation 
                during Merit Commission and/or Hearing Officer hearings provided in Rule 602 and 603. Legal 
                and non-legal representation must be obtained at the employee's cost.

        3.    EXTENSIONS: In any type of grievance or appeal, extensions of all time limits may be granted 
                by the Chairperson of the Merit Commission, Hearing Officer or by written consent of both 
                parties for good reason as provided by these Rules. All time limits specified are defined in terms 
                of working days unless otherwise noted.

        4.    TIME PERIODS: In any type of grievance, failure of supervisory personnel to comply with the 
                time limits established under this Rule shall entitle the employee to resort to the next level of the 
                procedure. Failure of the employee to comply with the time limits established under this Rule 
                shall constitute abandonment of the complaint.

        5.    RETALIATION PROHIBITED: There shall be no retaliation from supervisors and/or 
               Division Heads against employees who file a legitimate grievance.

B.    SOURCE OF REVIEW: If an employee complaint or problem is not resolved by informal 
        consideration, then the employee may formalize the grievance by utilizing the formal grievance
        process. One of the following two procedures shall be used:

        1.    If the complaint alleges misinterpretation or misapplication of the Merit System Rules, 
               misinterpretation or misapplication of Divisional work rules, or if the complaint alleges unsafe 
               or unhealthy working conditions, the General Procedure shall be used.

        2.    If the complaint alleges unlawful discrimination or harassment or is an appeal from administrative 
               suspension without pay, or disciplinary suspension, demotion or dismissal, the Hearing Officer 
               Procedure shall be used.