Article XVIII - Reciprocal Rights

ARTICLE XVIII

RECIPROCAL RIGHTS

SECTION 1. The Union shall have the right to post notices and other communications on bulletin boards maintained on the premises and facilities subject to the County’s approval of the content of such notices and communications. The officers and agents for the Union shall have the right to visit employees facilities for the purpose of adjusting grievances and administering the terms and conditions of this agreement.

SECTION 2. Employees who are designated or elected for the purpose of adjusting grievances or assisting in the administration of the Labor Agreement shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time free from their regular duties to fulfill their obligations which have as their purpose the maintenance of harmonious and cooperative relationships between the County and the employee and the uninterrupted operation of the County government.

It is important for the County employee who is released with pay for Union business and the Union itself to recognize that the regular operations of the County are not to be disrupted due to the employee’s absence. The employee and/or the organization are to file the appropriate leave form in advance to the Department Head or designee so that the position of the employee(s) involved can be covered so that there is no disruption in either County or Department operation.

A Union employee who is designated in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Agreement to be absent for Union business shall also maintain a log of such Union activity that occurs during the employee’s work day. The log shall show the time of day of each occasion when the employee began attending to such Union business, the time of day when the employee ceased attending to such Union business and the date of the occurrence. It will not be necessary for the log to show Union activity which required less than 15 minutes of the employee’s time in relation to any one matter, but it shall be necessary for the log to show the nature of the union business. The log shall be made available to the Department Head or designee at his or her request.

Prior to arrival at destination, the Union representative shall notify the Department Head or designee of the intended presence and estimated duration of stay.

The Union representative shall, upon return to the work area, notify the Supervisor of the time of return.

SECTION 3. The Union agrees to do its utmost to see that its members perform their respective duties loyally and continuously under the terms of this agreement. The Union and its members will use their best endeavors to protect the interests of the County, to conserve the property, protect the public and to give service of the highest quality.

SECTION 4. The County shall give release time with pay to their Union employees designated by the Association for attendance at meetings, conferences and conventions, which are educational by nature up to a maximum of 60 work days per year inclusive of the 12 1/2 days of salary and fringe costs which are reimbursed to the County by CSEA for the Board of Directors.

All the accountability requirements contained in Section 2 shall be applicable to this section.

SECTION 5. The County shall give release time with pay to five members of the bargaining unit to participate as the Union Negotiating Committee in negotiating their contracts, if any negotiating sessions are held during working hours.

SECTION 6. The County shall provide the Union with the use of a County building for the purpose of conducting monthly or special Union meetings.

SECTION 7. The County shall allow CSEA insurance solicitation to be conducted by those individuals designated by CSEA. Such solicitations will be conducted so as not to interfere with the employees’ work schedule.

SECTION 8. The County and the Union shall continue to assure an equal opportunity in employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.