Article 40
Labor-Management Relations

Section 1. Statement of Purpose

The parties recognize that the entrance into a formal collective bargaining agreement is but one act leading toward a constructive labor-management relationship. The success of a labor-management relationship is further assured through regular communication with each other on matters of mutual concern or interest in the area of conditions of employment.

Section 2. Levels of Communication

To promote a constructive labor-management relationship, Local 12 and the Department are committed to establishing and maintaining communication between the parties throughout all levels of the Department. Such communication shall characterize the relationship at every level and shall be held at appropriately scheduled times, augmented by ad hoc communication as necessary.

Section 3. Department Level Labor-Management Relations

Local 12 and the Department are committed to establishing and maintaining ongoing dialogue and communication between the parties. The President of Local 12 and the Director of Employee and Labor-Management Relations, together with their respective designees, will make every effort to communicate on a regular basis with an emphasis toward continuous, positive, and pro-active labor-management relations. The parties also agree to maintain a Department Labor-Management Relations Committee, comprised of up to five members from each party, for consideration of Department-wide issues. The Committee shall meet at the request of either party, but not more frequently than quarterly.

Section 4. DOL Agency Labor-Management Relations

a. In furtherance of effective labor-management relations, the parties will engage in communications at the Agency level. Toward this end, Local 12 and the Agency shall each name up to five (5) members to serve on an Agency Labor-Management Relations Committee. The Agency Labor-Management Relations Committee shall meet quarterly, unless agreed to otherwise. For purposes of this Section, all components not listed herein shall be considered to be one combined Agency:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Employee Benefits Security Administration
• Employment Standards Administration
• Employment and Training Administration
• Mine Safety and Health Administration
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management
• Office of the Solicitor

b. The Director of Employee and Labor-Management Relations and the designated Union Agency Vice President or their designees will coordinate for purposes of the combined “Agency.” Where the issues of concern relate to a specific organizational component of the combined “Agency,” the Director and Vice President will coordinate with the appropriate parties.
c. If the DOL Agency and the Union Agency Vice President mutually agree, the DOL Agency and the Union may communicate informally in regard to planned space changes or organizational changes. Such communication may provide for Management to consider input from employees and the Union regarding space changes or organizational changes.