SECTION 4  GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

A.        A grievance is a dispute between the parties arising under the terms of this Agreement. Any Flight Attendant or group of Flight Attendants may file a grievance concerning any action of the Company affecting them, which must be filed in writing and contain a concise statement of the facts which allegedly constitutes the grievance.

B.         Discipline and Discharge

            A Flight Attendant will be notified in writing of any disciplinary action taken by the Company and the reasons therefor with copies to the Flight Attendant, LEC President, and LEC Grievance Chairperson.

            1.        A Flight Attendant who is disciplined or discharged will be granted an investigation and hearing, provided she files a request therefor with the Managing Director of Inflight, or her designee, within ten (10) working days of the date she receives notice of such discipline or discharge.  Such hearing will be held within ten (10) working days of the date written request is received by the Managing Director of Inflight Services, or her designee.  A Flight Attendant will be given at least forty-eight (48) hours' notice of the time of hearing.

            2.         Within ten (10) working days after the close of the hearing, the Company will announce its decision in writing and will furnish copies to the Flight Attendant, LEC President, and LEC Grievance Chairperson.

            3.         If such decision is unacceptable, it may be appealed to the President of the Company, or his designee, within ten (10) working days after such decision.

                        The President, or his designee, shall hold a hearing and render a decision. Such hearing will be held timely, no later than fifteen (15) working days after receipt of the appeal.  A decision will be rendered within ten (10) working days after the hearing.

            4.         If such decision is unacceptable, the aggrieved Flight Attendant may appeal the grievance to the System Board of Adjustment as provided in Section 5.

C.        Non-Disciplinary Grievances    

            All other grievances will be handled in accordance with the following:

            1.         Any Flight Attendant, or group of Flight Attendants, will first file a grievance with the Managing Director of Inflight Services, or her designee, within thirty (30) days of the date when such Flight Attendant or group of Flight Attendants became aware of, or should have become aware of an alleged violation of the Agreement.  A hearing is not necessary.  A decision shall be rendered in writing within ten (10) working days of receipt of the grievance by the Company.

            2.         If such decision is unacceptable, such Flight Attendant, or group of Flight Attendants, may appeal such decision to the President, or his designee, within ten (10) working days after such decision. The President, or his designee, will have fifteen (15) working days after receipt of the appeal to hold the hearing.  A decision will be rendered within ten (10) working days after the hearing.  This step may be waived by mutual agreement of the parties.  If such decision is unacceptable, it may be appealed to the System Board of Adjustment as provided in Section 5, provided such appeal in made within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the decision by the Company.

D.        General

            1.         Non-compliance with the time limits set forth in the grievance procedure as outlined shall result in the granting of the grievance, if by the Company, and the denial of the grievance, if by the Union or the aggrieved.  Time limits may be extended by mutual agreement.

            2.         All notification in writing shall be by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, or hand delivered with signed verification.

            3.         When it is mutually agreed that a stenographic report is to be taken of any hearing, the cost will be borne equally by both parties to the dispute. In the event it is not mutually agreed that a stenographic report of the proceedings will be taken, any transcript made by  either of the parties shall be furnished to the other party upon request, provided that the cost of such written record so requested shall be borne equally by both parties to the dispute.

            4.         Either party has the right to call witnesses at any hearing.

            5.         A Flight Attendant shall have the right to be represented at any hearing by such persons as they may choose and designate.

            6.         Witnesses and representatives who are employees of the Company shall receive free transportation over the lines of the Company.