Labor Grievance & Arbitration

Although rare, occasional disagreements occur between management and labor over the application of terms contained in a labor agreement. A grievance is filed and may be generated by either labor or management. If a timely resolution is not reached the grievance is vetted through an informal hearing process through the Local Joint Adjustment Board (LJAB). SMACNA represents all signatory contractor members and appoints the management representatives serving on the LJAB. Should a grievance escalate beyond the LJAB, the grievance will be accelerated to the National Joint Adjustment Board (NJAB). SMACNA Board of Directors maintains the ultimate decision on whether the issue being grieved is deemed to have industry-wide implications and whether the association will continue its representation of the affected contractor through arbitration.