Safetycheck you obviously don't understand how the grievance process works.
A pilot feels that the company has not lived up to their end of the bargin in regards to a specific section of the contract. Whether it be duty time, crew food, uniforms, ANY section. That union pilot then files a grievance.
The grievance is heard by the pilot and the company. Usually by phone. The company and the grievant come to a decision. Sometimes the decision is in favor of the grievant sometimes the company.
If the grievant feels that the award is not fair or right the grievant can then appeal to a system board of two pilots and two mgmt representatives.
When the grievance enters the SBA it is presented before the 4 mentioned above. 1st the union presents its case and then the company presents its case. The SBA board then has a time limit of 3 hours to discuss the grievance and an answer has to be presented. Either an award in favor of the company, pilot, or dead-lock.
The amount of dead-lock grievances are very very small. They are usually much larger issues that are being discussed on the executive board level. SBA works because it is an open honest discussion with the union and the company. There can be no agenda's because having all the grievances deadlocked would be a complete waste of time.
Sorry for the long post but Safetycheck really showed his ignorance in one of the most democratic processes available to both the pilot and the union.