Filing an appeal with the PRB

The PRB has jurisdiction to review decisions of the International Executive Board (IEB). An appeal to the PRB must be in writing, dated and signed by the member. It MUST be submitted within 30 days of the members’ receipt of the IEB’s decision. The appeal should be mailed or hand-delivered to Public Review Board c/o International President, UAW Solidarity House 8000 E. Jefferson Ave. Detroit MI 48214.

Comment: Appeals from decisions of the IEB to the PRB will be forwarded to the PRB by the President's Office for processing. At that point, the case will be docketed and assigned a PRB Case Number.

The PRB has no original jurisdiction to review appeals processed under Article 33 of the Constitution. In order to appeal to the PRB, a member must first present his or her concerns to the IEB and obtain a decision from that body. In cases involving the handling of grievances, the PRB’s jurisdiction to review decisions of the IEB is limited to allegations that the matter was improperly handled because of fraud, discrimination, or collusion with management, or that the handling of the matter  lacked a rational basis.

The PRB has no jurisdiction to review in any way an official collective bargaining policy of the International Union.

Article 32, §5 of the UAW Constitution describes procedures for raising Ethical Practices Complaints. Ethical Practices Complaints address violations of the Ethical Practices Codes. These Codes can be found in the UAW Constitution booklet immediately following the Constitution itself. There are four Codes which address the following subjects: Democratic Practices; Financial Practices; Health, Welfare and Retirement Funds; and Financial Activities of Union Officials.

Ethical Practices Complaints concerning Local Union actions are processed in much the same manner as appeals presented pursuant to Article 33. The Complaint must first be presented to the general membership of the Local Union. If the member is dissatisfied with the Local membership’s action, the member can appeal to the IEB to address the Complaint.

Although the IEB has initial responsibility for investigating Ethical Practices Complaints and issuing a decision, Article 32 requires the International President to forward a copy of any Complaint to the PRB and to keep the Chairperson advised of the progress of the case. Any party dissatisfied with the IEB’s response to an Ethical Practices Complaint may appeal to the PRB. Appeals to the PRB must be submitted within 30 days following the member’s receipt of the IEB’s decision.

Comment: The PRB has no original jurisdiction over Ethical Practices Complaints against Local Union officers. Members alleging violations of the Ethical Practices Codes by Local Union officers must first seek redress from the Local Union. If the Local Union cannot resolve the problem, the member can seek review by the IEB and finally, the PRB. The PRB is authorized to initiate action on an Ethical Practices Complaint only if it concludes that there is substance to the Complaint and the action taken by the IEB does not satisfactorily meet the problem.