Final answer:
During the grievance procedure's third and one-half step meetings, supervisors try to settle grievances internally to avoid arbitration. The goal is to resolve conflicts fairly and timely with competent and unbiased resolution mechanisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the third and one-half step meetings in the grievance procedure, supervisors are encouraged to resolve grievances at the lower level. This indicates the organization's attempts to handle disputes internally before they escalate to needing formal arbitration or legal processes. Through these meetings, management and union representatives can meet to deliberate on grievances and potentially reach a resolution, preventing stress, diminished morale, and productivity loss that can occur if conflicts remain unresolved.
Accessible and impartial dispute resolution mechanisms are vital to ensure justice. This includes having competent, ethical, and independent representatives who are adequately resourced and reflect the communities they serve. If the grievance is not resolved through mediation or lower-level steps, it may proceed to arbitration, where an arbitrator will hear and make a binding decision on the dispute.