Unions should have a grievance-handling procedure that aids in effectively processing grievances without being guilty of unfair representation. Unfair representation occurs when the union:

A) dismisses a grievance without investigating its merits
B) directly disregards the employee's interests
C) refuses to investigate a grievance because of the employee's race
D) fails to process the grievance to a reasonable conclusion
E) does any or all of the above

Unfair representation can occur in any of the ways listed in the answer choices, so the best choice is E, which includes all of them. To ensure fair representation, unions must have a structured grievance-handling procedure that investigates every grievance, treats members equally, and follows the union's by-laws and procedures. Any deviation from these standards could be considered an unfair practice and put the union at risk of legal action. Therefore, it is crucial for unions to establish and abide by a grievance-handling procedure that promotes fair representation for all its members.