§4114 Resolution of Implementation Disputes

Summary

The Department and the union must use a negotiated grievance process to settle disagreements about what a collective bargaining agreement means, how it applies, or whether it was broken. That process must be fair, simple, and move quickly. If the parties cannot settle, either side can appeal to the Foreign Service Grievance Board. Either side can then ask the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board to review the Grievance Board’s decision. The Labor Relations Board can change or make recommendations if the decision breaks a law, rule, or regulation, or for other similar legal reasons. If no review is requested within 30 days after the Grievance Board’s decision is sent to the parties, the decision becomes final and must be followed. These dispute decisions cannot be taken to court.