PS Form 8190 at a glance
What it is: PS Form 8190 is the USPS-NALC Joint Step A Grievance Form; the NALC Shop Steward completes the Informal Step A section and the Formal Step A parties complete the Formal Step A section.
Where and when to file: If the initial filing discussion between the steward (and/or employee) and the supervisor at Informal Step A does not resolve the grievance, the union steward may appeal the grievance by: Completing the Informal Step A section at the top of page 1; Obtaining the supervisor's initials in Item 13; and Forwarding the form along with all relevant documents that were shared and discussed at the Informal Step A meeting to union and management Formal Step A representatives within 7 days of the discussion.
A filled-in PS Form 8190 example: a steward appeals at Informal Step A
How to fill out PS Form 8190, box by box
Informal Step A: 1-9
In the Informal Step A section the NALC Shop Steward completes, items 1-9 are self-explanatory, and all items are essential.
Enter the Grievant's Name (Last, first, middle initial) in Box 1, the Grievant's Telephone No. (Include area code) in Box 2 and the Seniority Date (MM/DD/YYYY) in Box 3.
Enter the Grievant's Employee Identification Number (EIN) in Box 5, the District, Installation, Work Unit, ZIP Code® in Box 6, the Finance No. in Box 7, the NALC Branch No. in Box 8 and the NALC Grievance No. in Box 9.
4 Status
Under 4 Status (Check one), check one box: FT, FTF, PTR, PTF or CCA.
10. Incident Date and 11. Date Discussed With Supervisor
For 10. Incident Date (MM/DD/YYYY), enter the date when the event causing the grievance occurred or when the employee or union first became aware of the event.
For 11. Date Discussed With Supervisor (Filing date), enter the date the employee and/or the union first discussed the grievance with the immediate supervisor at Informal Step A. This is the Step A filing date.
12a Companion MSPB Appeal?
For 12a Companion MSPB Appeal? (Yes or No), determine whether the grievant has filed an MSPB appeal on the same issue. Indicate "yes" or "no."
12b. Companion EEO Appeal?
For 12b. Companion EEO Appeal? (Yes or No), determine whether the grievant has filed an EEO appeal on the same issue. Indicate "yes" or "no."
13a. Supervisor and 13b. Steward
13a. Supervisor's Printed Name, Initials, and Telephone No. is to be completed by supervisor, whose printed name and initials confirm the date of the Informal Step A discussion.
13b. Steward's Printed Name, Initials, and Telephone No. is to be completed by steward, whose printed name and initials confirm the date of the Informal Step A discussion.
14. USPS Grievance No. and 15. Issue Statement
If the grievance is resolved at Formal Step A, skip to Item 20, note the principles of the agreement, and complete items 21-22. If the grievance is not resolved at Formal Step A, complete Items 16 through 22.
14. USPS Grievance No.: Management Representative: Obtain the Grievance Arbitration Tracking System (GATS) number before the Formal Step A meeting. If necessary, call District Labor Relations for assistance. Record GATS number.
For 15. Issue Statement, frame the issue statement in the form of a question.
For example: Was there just cause for the letter of warning dated 7/15/2011 issued to the grievant for unsatisfactory work performance, and if not, what is the appropriate remedy? Did management violate Article 8.5.G when the grievant was required to work overtime on 8/15/2011, and if so, what is the appropriate remedy? List specific contractual or handbook provisions that apply to the grievance.
If discipline is involved: Always indicate the type of discipline (letter of warning, 7-day suspension, indefinite suspension, etc.) in the issue statement.
The union steward may write a suggested issue in Item 15 when appealing to Formal Step A. The parties at Formal Step A are responsible for defining the issue as they see fit.
16. Undisputed Facts, 17. UNION'S and 18. MANAGEMENT'S statements
For 16. Undisputed Facts, the Management and/or Union Representative lists all relevant facts not in dispute; list and attach all supporting documents, and use additional paper if necessary.
For 17. UNION'S full, detailed statement of disputed facts and contentions, the Union Representative lists any facts in dispute based on your understanding of the facts. Provide concise, descriptive statements outlining the union's position on the grievance. List and attach all supporting documents. Use additional paper if necessary.
For 18. MANAGEMENT'S full, detailed statement of disputed facts and contentions, the Management Representative lists any facts in dispute based on your understanding of the facts. Provide concise, descriptive statements outlining managements' position on the grievance. List and attach all supporting documents. Use additional paper if necessary.
Under Attachments?, mark No or Yes, and write the Number.
19a Union Representative, 19b Settlement Offer and 20 Disposition
19a Union Representative: Enter the remedy requested by the union.
19b. Settlement Offer: List any settlement offers by either party on page 3. 19b Management and/or Union Representative: On page 3, list any settlement offers made at Formal Step A.
20. Disposition (Check one), with the Date of Formal Step A Meeting (MM/DD/YYYY): Management and/or Union Representative: Note whether the case is resolved, withdrawn, or not resolved. If resolved, note the principles of the agreement.
21-22 Formal Step A parties and mailing addresses
In 21-22, the Formal Step A parties must sign, and enter names, telephone numbers and the date the form is completed.
Under Formal Step A Parties - Provide Mailing Address, print the street, city, state, and ZIP Code® for USPS Formal Step A and for NALC Formal Step A.
More rules for PS Form 8190
NOTE: If grievance ultimately goes to arbitration, page 3 MUST be removed from the file prior to submitting the case to the arbitrator.
Sources
[1] PS Form 8190 (March 2016), USPS-NALC Joint Step A Grievance Form (the Official source link on this page).
