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A.   A Local Union Employee may submit a civil rights matter or complaint to the Local Union Civil Rights Committee Chair or a Civil Rights Committee Member on a Complaint Form 520.  Copies shall be distributed to the District Director, the International Civil Rights Department, and the Local Union Recording Secretary.

B.   The Local Union Civil Rights Committee in consultation with the Grievance Committee shall determine whether a civil rights matter or complaint alleges a violation of a provision of the collective bargaining agreement.

C.   If it is determined that the complaint is an alleged violation of the agreement, the grievance committee will process the complaint. However, where bargaining agreements provide that a Joint Civil Rights Committee shall review, investigate "and attempt to resolve" matters involving civil rights, the steps of that provision would be followed.

D.   If it is determined that the constitutional Local Union Civil Rights Committee will process the complaint, the following steps will be followed.

1.   Local Union Civil Rights Committee. The Local Union President/Unit Chair and/or the Chair of the Civil Rights Committee or respective designees will attempt to meet with the company to seek a resolution to the complaint. 

2.       District Staff Representative/Civil Rights Coordinator. If the Complainant or Local Union Civil Rights Committee believes the complaint is not being processed properly, the complaint may be appealed to the District Director’s representative who may either be a Servicing Staff Representative or the Civil Rights Coordinator. 

3.       District Director.  If the Complainant or Local Union Civil Rights Committee is not satisfied with the progress or resolution of the complaint, it may be appealed to the District Director for appropriate action.

4.       Civil Rights Department.  Should the complaint not be resolved to the satisfaction of the Complainant or Local Union Civil Rights Committee, it may be appealed to the Director of Civil Rights for review.

5.       International Civil Rights Committee Chair.  In the event the complaint is still not resolved to the satisfaction of the Complainant or Local Union Civil Rights Committee, it may then be submitted to the Chair of the International Civil Rights Committee for investigation and resolution.         

Investigations and procedures to resolve civil rights complaints should progress in a timely manner.  The Civil Rights Department through the District Civil Rights Coordinator will make every effort to assist in the expeditious processing of civil rights complaints of which it has received a written copy or notice.   

Local Union Representatives and the Local Union Civil Rights Committee should be cognizant of the time limitations for filing complaints with various government enforcement agencies to render assistance to those members who are compelled to invoke city, state and federal laws to obtain their rights.

Printable copy of Civil Rights Complaint Procedure