Article 9 of the Contract contains the current language regarding grievance procedure time limits. Grievances regarding any disciplinary action shall be filed directly to Step II. Grievances regarding contract violations should be filed at step I and forwarded to step II with the step I answer.

Step I

Non-disciplinary grievances are handled at the Facility through Step I. Discuss the grievance with the supervisor making a good faith effort to resolve the grievance within the scope of his/her authority. If the grievance is not resolved, file to the Step I official at the facility within 21 calendar days of becoming aware of the cause for complaint. The Step I official has 21 calendar days to issue a written response to grievant/MCO. As soon as you get the Step I answer, send the Step I answer and the rest of the package to MCO Central Office. Include a recommendation on whether it should be appealed to Step II. If a step I answer is not given to the member, make a notation on the grievance form so MCO Central Office does not send it back, requesting an answer.

Step II

If satisfactory settlement is not reached at Step 1, to be considered further, within 45 calendar days from receipt of the Step 1 answer (or the date the answer was due if no answer was provided), the grievance shall be appealed to the Departmental Appointing Authority (or designee) by MCO Central Office.

The grievances will then be reviewed by the Grievance Committee. If the Grievance Committee withdraws the grievance, the grievant will be notified by mail and given a chance to appeal the grievance to the MCO Executive Board. If the grievance is appealed the grievant will be mailed a postcard and given an opportunity to appear in person before the MCO Executive Board, by telephone, or by providing a written argument. grievant will be notified by mail of the decision and the Executive Board's decision is final.