In the Atlantic supplement, article 49 section 2 makes it sound like he has to file it. Or am I misreading?
The way I'm reading it is.
You fill out a grievance form and present it to your Shop Steward. He has 48 hours to try to resolve the grievance with management. Management has to sign every grievance presented to them even if they feel it has no merit. To confirm they received it and are aware of it.
If management doesn't agree then it goes to your local.