2121.21 Grievance Procedure
   Step 1: Responsible Supervisor:
   When an employee has a grievance arising from action taken at the operational unit level, the employee shall reduce it to writing, and along with the Steward, discuss the matter with the responsible supervisor within three (3) work days after the City employee has gained knowledge that a dispute exists. City shall respond to the dispute within three (3) work days.
   If the grievance is resolved, then the responsible supervisor and the Union representative, or his designee, shall sign the grievance report.
   Step 2: Commissioner/Division Head:
   If the grievance is not settled in Step 1 above, then the Union representative may submit the grievance to the Commissioner/ Division Head within five (5) work days following the date of the answer from the above step.
   A hearing to resolve said grievance will be scheduled within five (5) work days, with a decision required in five (5) work days following the day of the hearing.
   Step 3: Department of Human Resources:
   Grievances which are unresolved following the above steps shall be submitted, in writing, to the Department of Human Resources within five (5) work days following the preceding decision. A hearing shall be scheduled within five (5) work days following notification of the grievance to the Department of Human Resources--through arrangements with the Local Union Business Representative or his designee. A decision will be required within five (5) days following the hearing.
   (a)   All grievances which arise above the operational level, shall be filed at the appropriate level and filed within five (5) days in writing and submitted within five (5) work days after the date the Union has gained knowledge that a grievance exists to the level of management where the grievance occurred.
   (b)   A grievance may be advanced to any step of the Grievance Procedure--up to and including arbitration--by mutual consent of the parties.