AGREEMENT BETWEEN LOCAL 12, AFGE, AFL-CIO
AND THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Article 1 Coverage and Recognition
Section 1. Recognition
Section 2. Contravention
Section 3. Coverage
Section 4. Exclusions from Coverage
Section 5. Definition
Section 6. Disputes Over Unit Coverage

Article 2 Management Rights
Section 1. General
Section 2. Exceptions

Article 3 Employee Rights
Section 1. Respect in the Workplace
Section 2. Compliance With Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Agreement
Section 3. Right to Join or Assist Union
Section 4. Conflict of Interest
Section 5. Right to Remedial Relief for Employees in the Bargaining Unit
Section 6. Private Lives vs. Official Duties
Section 7. Campaigns or Drives--Solicitation of Employees in the Bargaining Unit
Section 8. Use of Personal Audio Devices
Section 9. Supervision and Assignment of Work
Section 10. Polygraph Tests
Section 11. Required Membership and Participation in Professional Organizations
Section 12. Work Plans
Section 13. Personnel Records
Section 14. Complaints

Article 6 Dependent Care Programs
Section 1. Types of Dependent Care Programs
Section 2. Local 12 Involvement

Article 7 Day Care
Section 1. Provision of Child Care Facility
Section 2. Management of Child Care Facility
Section 3. Priority on Admission
Section 4. Administrative Leave to Attend Meetings
Section 5. Reopening Negotiations
Section 6. Funds from Recycling Program

Article 8 Receipt of Pay

Article 9 Employee Wellness
Section 1. General
Section 2. Health Services Program
Section 3. Wellness/Fitness Programs
Section 4. Fitness Facilities in Frances Perkins Building
Section 5. Other Fitness Programs
Section 6. Renegotiation

Article 11 Employee Assistance Program
Section 1. General
Section 2. Union-Management Cooperation
Section 3. Committee Functions
Section 4. Use of Sick Leave
Section 5. Relationship to Disciplinary and Adverse Action
Section 6. Union Responsibility

Article 12 Performance Management System
Section 1. General
Section 2. Introduction
Section 3. Procedures for Developing Elements and Performance Standards
Section 4. Performance Standards
Section 5. Annual Rating of Record
Section 6. Feedback
Section 7. Improving Unacceptable Performance
Section 8. Performance Improvement Plan
Section 9. Special Circumstances
Section 10. Grievability and Arbitrability of Job Elements and Performance Standards

Article 13 Within-Grade Increases
Section 1. General
Section 2. Advance Notice
Section 3. When Performance is Less than Acceptable
Section 4. Negative Determination
Section 5. Effect of Change of a Negative Determination

Article 14 Performance Awards
Section 1. General
Section 2. Effect of Summary Ratings

Article 15 Reduction in Grade or Removal Based on Unacceptable Performance
Section 1. Employees Covered
Section 2. Initial Procedures
Section 3. Notice of Proposed Action
Section 4. Employee Right to Review Material
Section 5. Appeal Rights

Article 16 Merit Staffing
Section 1. Introduction
Section 2. Coverage
Section 3. Exclusions
Section 4. Vacancy Announcements
Section 5. Interviews and Selections
Section 6. Career Ladders in DOL
Section 7. Informing Employees About Opportunities for Entrance Level Positions
Section 8. Review of Merit Staffing Actions

Article 17 Promotional Opportunities for Attorneys

Article 18 Position Classification
Section 1. Desk Audits
Section 2. Classification Audits
Section 3. Classification Appeals
Section 4. Position Classification
Section 5. Equal Pay for Equal Work

Article 19 Training and Lifelong Learning
Section 1. General
Section 2. Long-Term Career Development Programs
Section 3. Career Enhancement Program
Section 4. Equipment and Time for Continuing Education

Article 20 Equal Employment Opportunity
Section 1. Statement of Purpose
Section 2. Management Commitment
Section 3. Sexual Harassment
Section 4. Training
Section 5. Committees and Communications
Section 6. Affirmative Employment Plans and Programs
Section 7. Complaint Processing
Section 8. Special Emphasis Programs
Section 9. Meetings with Outside Groups on EEO Matters
Section 10. Reasonable Accommodation

Article 21 Temporary and Probationary Employees
Section 1. Temporary Employees
Section 2. Probationary Employees

Article 22 Part-Time Employment
Section 1. Introduction
Section 2. Consideration for Conversion

Article 23 Job Sharing
Section 1. Definition
Section 2. Status
Section 3. Tour of Duty
Section 4. Other

Article 24 Injury Compensation
Section 1. Liaison
Section 2. Counseling
Section 3. Leave Buy-Back

Article 25 Medical Qualifications and Determinations
Section 1. General
Section 2. Prerequisite Conditions
Section 3. Procedures
Section 4. Counseling
Section 5. Accommodations
Section 6. Records

Article 26 Contracting Out
Section 1. General
Section 2. A-76 Competitive Sourcing/Commercial Activity Process
Section 3. Personnel Considerations for Displaced Employees

Article 27 Reduction in Force or Transfer of Function
Section 1. General
Section 2. Notification
Section 3. Retention Registers
Section 4. Department of Labor Employee Placement Assistance for Reduction in Force or Transfer of Function
Section 5. Repromotion List
Section 6. RIF Contract Coverage

Article 28 Safety and Health
Section 1. General
Section 2. Committees
Section 3. Workplace Inspections
Section 4. Duty of Employees and Supervisors
Section 5. Employee Reports of Unsafe or Unhealthful Working Conditions
Section 6. Management Information
Section 7. Training
Section 8. Health Service
Section 9. Employees with Disabilities
Section 10. Environment
Section 11. Smoking Policy
Section 12. Ergonomic Hazards
Section 13. Security
Section 14. Personal Protective Equipment

Article 32 Parking Facilities
Section 1. General
Section 2. Assignment of Carpool Spaces
Section 3. Changes in Garage Operations and Parking Fees

Article 33 Past Practices

Article 34 Governing Laws and Regulations
Section 1. General
Section 2. Agreement Governs
Section 3. New or Changed Rules or Regulations
Section 4. Bargaining Over New or Changed Rules or Regulations or Management Initiated Changes

Article 38 Informational Reports
Section 1. Periodic Reports
Section 2. Format

Article 39 Distribution of Agreement and Orientation of New Employees by Exclusive Representative
Section 1. Distribution of Copies
Section 2. New Employees
Section 3. Expenses
Section 4. Lists of New Employees

Article 40 Dues Withholding
Section 1. Procedure for Authorizing Dues Withholding
Section 2. Automatic Reinstatement of Dues Withholding
Section 3. Terminations
Section 4. Change in Dues
Section 5. Remittance to Local 12
Section 6. Correction of Errors
Section 7. Reopener Clause
Section 8. Duration of Agreement

Article 41 Official Time
Section 1. General
Section 2. List of Officers, Stewards, and Other Representatives
Section 3. Performance of Union Functions and Stewards' Area of Jurisdiction
Section 4. Official Time
Section 5. Training of Local 12 Representatives
Section 6. Preparing LM2 and Tax Forms
Section 7. Local 12 Union Officials

Article 42 Right to Representation
Section 1. General
Section 2. Investigative Examinations
Section 3. Meetings, Discipline, or Potential Discipline
Section 4. Adverse Actions

Article 45 Adverse and Disciplinary Actions
Section 1. Employees Covered
Section 2. General
Section 3. Employee Right to Review Material
Section 4. Counseling, Warnings, Reprimands, or Admonishments
Section 5. Notice of Proposed Action
Section 6. Adverse Action--Suspensions of Fourteen (14) Days or Less
Section 7. Other Adverse Actions
Section 8. Pending Legal Charges
Section 9. Furloughs of Thirty (30) Days or Less
Section 10. Security Systems

New Articles
New Article 1 Educational Development/Community Service Opportunities
New Article 2 Labor-Management Cooperation
New Article 3 Student Loan Repayment Program
New Article 4 Travel