SECTION 334.3. Procedures for Grievances Involving Statewide Campaign Issues

State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) is conducted in accordance with state law, the comptroller's rules and SPC rules. The State Employee Charitable Campaign Policy Committee (SPC) is responsible for oversight of the SECC and for insuring that the campaign is run fairly and equitably. In order to expedite the handling of complaints and grievances pertaining to the SECC and to ensure input of all concerned parties, the grievance policy detailed in this section, shall be followed for grievances related to the statewide campaign. Grievances related to local campaign issues may be filed in accordance with §334.1 of this title (relating to Procedures for Grievances Involving Local Campaign Issues).

(1) A state employee or charitable organization, including a federation/affiliate charity representative may lodge a grievance pertaining to the conduct of the SECC at the statewide level, regarding any SECC matter occurring at the statewide level, or regarding the SPC, the state campaign manager (SCM), or a statewide charitable organization, including a statewide federation or fund. Grievances shall be sent to the SPC by delivery to the address of the SCM.

(2) The SCM shall respond, in writing, to the aggrieved party within 10 business days after receiving the grievance, to inform the grievant of the status of the grievance. The aggrieved party shall cooperate with the SPC to investigate the grievance. The decision of the SPC shall be final.

(3) Any grievance submitted to the SPC may be referred to the appropriate LEC for review and action if the grievance concerns local issues.

(4) A grievance properly received by the SPC will be reviewed and may be acted upon at the next scheduled SPC meeting, if possible.

(5) A state employee who has a complaint about coercive activity in any part of the campaign should file a complaint with the comptroller's office in accordance with §5.48(w) of this title (relating to Deductions for Contributions to Charitable Organizations). The LCM and the SCM shall refer to the comptroller's office all complaints they receive relating to coercive activity in the campaign.

Source Note: The provisions of this §334.3 adopted to be effective June 23, 2002, 27 TexReg 5215; amended to be effective March 16, 2006, 31 TexReg 1725; amended to be effective December 4, 2014, 39 TexReg 9364