A grievance is the formal process for enforcing the Collective Bargaining Agreement. United Faculty represents members through every step. Grievance Representatives are trained advocates supported by CTA staff and CTA / CCA grievance training programs.

When to file:

• The 40-day filing window begins when a faculty member should reasonably be aware of the issue. The clock runs whether or not a grievance is ultimately filed, so contact your Grievance Rep early to preserve options.
• Common grievable matters in the current contract: scheduling conflicts and division-meeting collaboration (Article 4); ancillary-duty assignments (Article 5); overload assignments (Article 8); class-cancellation procedures (Article 12); department coordinator timelines (Article 16); evaluations (Articles 17 and 18); distance education (Article 22); leaves (Article 13); extensive-lab criteria (Article 29).

Recent precedent matters. The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) ruled in Unfair Practice Case No. LA-CE-6862-E that the District violated EERA in its handling of the Winter 2023 intersession. Three faculty members will receive compensation. The two takeaways for members: contract rights are enforceable protections, and direct dealing — when the District negotiates with individual faculty around the union — is unlawful even when framed as collaborative. Subsequent CBA language now subjects intersession assignment to Management's right of assignment under Article 10.5.2; document concerns and contact your Rep promptly when assignments arise.

Members are best protected by active membership. Grievance Reps will help any full-time faculty member who contacts them initially; full representation through every step of a grievance is reserved for active members.