When the aggressor in a workplace fight was given a suspension and his opponent was fired, the union grieved. Despite giving better than he got, the grievor didn’t deserve to be fired, the arbitrator found.
Provoked by a racial taunt, a brewery worker was fired after back-handing the drunken colleague who was harassing him. The union grieved, citing obvious provocation and the fact that the penalty was disproportionate. For his part in the altercation, the other worker was awarded a 20-day suspension.
