Grievance Procedure & Statutory Relief (AFGE DHA Council 275)

This self-paced course introduces Defense Health Agency (DHA) employees to the primary workplace dispute and employee-rights enforcement options available through both the Master Labor Agreement (MLA) and key federal statutory systems. Learners will gain practical guidance on when and how to pursue relief using the negotiated grievance procedure (when applicable) and several statutory avenues that remain available regardless of contract status.

The course explains:

• How grievances work under the MLA (Article 40), including what qualifies as a grievance, who can file, what issues are excluded, required content, and step-by-step filing timelines.
• How to file complaints with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), including prohibited personnel practices (PPPs), whistleblower protections, Hatch Act restrictions, and disclosures of wrongdoing.
• How to file an OWCP claim for work-related injury, illness, or stress-related conditions, including eligibility requirements, key forms (CA-1, CA-2, CA-17, CA-35), ECOMP filing guidance, and common documentation needs.
• How MSPB appeals work, including what types of actions the MSPB can hear, what it does not cover, and basic filing timelines and procedures.
• How the DoD Administrative Grievance System (AGS) functions, including employee coverage, excluded matters, informal problem-solving vs. formal grievance steps, time limits, and required grievance documentation.

By the end of the course, learners should be able to identify the most appropriate route for resolving a workplace issue, understand key filing deadlines, and recognize when union support is recommended before initiating a complaint or appeal.