When we talk about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SEIU Local 1000 and the State of California, we’re not just talking about words on paper, we’re talking about tools for action. One of the most powerful tools we have is the Health and Safety grievance procedure, outlined in Article 6 of the MOU. This isn’t just a bureaucratic formality. It’s a mechanism designed to protect our members and ensure that unsafe working conditions are addressed swiftly and seriously.
What Makes This Grievance Procedure Different?
The Health and Safety grievance process includes an expedited pathway, a faster, more focused route for resolving issues that threaten the well-being of our members. When a grievance involves health and safety, it can bypass some of the slower steps of the standard process. That means quicker meetings, faster decisions, and a more urgent response from management.
This expedited procedure is especially important because delays in resolving safety issues can lead to real harm. Whether it’s exposure to hazardous materials, unsafe equipment, or workplace violence, our members deserve immediate attention and resolution.
What Can You Do?
This process only works if you use it. Here’s how you can take action:
- Report unsafe conditions immediately to your supervisor and your union steward.
- Document everything—photos, emails, witness statements.
- File a grievance using the expedited procedure when necessary. Your steward or DLC leadership can help guide you through it.
- Follow up. Don’t let your grievance get buried. Ask for updates and push for resolution.
Why It Matters
Every time a member uses the grievance process to address a health and safety issue, they’re not just protecting themselves, they’re protecting all of us. These grievances set precedents. They send a message to management that we take our safety seriously. And they remind every member that we have the right to a safe workplace.
This isn’t just about policy, it’s about power. And power comes from action.
If you’re facing a health and safety issue, don’t wait. Reach out to your steward, your DLC president, or the Local 1000 Resource Center. Let’s use the tools we’ve fought for, and let’s keep each other safe.