How familair are you with the Railway Labor Act, grievance procedures, and the rules under which arbitrations are conducted?

The airline can terminate anyone they like for any reason that they like. Unless it is absolutely blatant misconduct the union is obliged to proceed with the grievance if the terminated employee so desires even if the union believes that the termination was justified. It is then the union's burden to show that the termination was unjust or impropper. The union bears the burden of proof with any ambiguity going in favor of the company.

A grievance over a termination goes to the front of the line but the process can easily take a year during which the employee is on the street.

[This message has been edited by LarryJ (edited 02-24-2003).]