Suppose as an engineering department manager a grievance concerning the interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement (the contract) is resolved by the arbitration process. If you disagree with the decision rendered by the arbitrator, what should be your response?
• Collective bargaining agreement (CBA) usually states how grievances and arbitration are handled • The meaning of "final and binding" in labor-management arbitration • Professional and ethical responsibilities of a management-level engineer in dealing with union decisions
• Ask yourself: What have BOTH parties (management and union) already agreed to about how arbitration decisions will be handled? • Consider which choice best maintains a workable, professional relationship with the crew and respects the formal dispute-resolution process. • Which options could be seen as retaliation or undermining the contractually agreed process, and what would that do to discipline and morale on board?
• Check whether a standard CBA treats the arbitrator’s decision as recommendation or final and binding once reached. • Identify any options that involve retaliation or undermining the grievance process; those are almost never acceptable professionally or legally. • Verify which option reflects a manager respecting the agreed procedure, even if they personally disagree with the outcome.
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