ARTICLE 6

Rights of the Union

SECTION 1. The Union agrees to accept employees in the unit of recognition as members of NWSEO without discrimination as to race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age, handicapping condition, preferential or non-preferential civil service status, political affiliation, or marital status.

SECTION 2. The Union may request any information which is not prohibited by law, is normally maintained in the regular course of business, is reasonably available, and is necessary for full discussion, understanding and negotiation of subjects within the scope of collective bargaining. Each request must be in writing and specify the following:

A. Identification of the data;

B. Necessity and relevance of the data; and,

C. Indicate if information has been previously provided.

Management will furnish the information under the following conditions:

A. Information is reasonably available;

B. Information is maintained in the regular course of business;

C. Information does not constitute guidance, advice, counsel, or training provided for management officials relating to collective bargaining;

D. Information is necessary for full discussion, understanding, and negotiations of subjects within the scope of collective bargaining.

The Union agrees that it will honor all requests returned for clarification or relevance. Management will normally request such clarification in writing within fifteen (15) days after receipt. Management will answer most information requests within thirty (30) days of receipt. If unable to answer information requests within the thirty (30) day time frame, Management will notify the Union in writing of the reason for the delay and the expected date the request will be answered.

For the purposes of this article, correspondents will recognize the following:

Vice Regional Chairpersons and Vice Stewards will be recognized in the absence of the Chairperson or Steward in accordance with the requirements of Article 7. The NWSEO General Counsel will only communicate with the NWS-designated representative of the Office of General Counsel, Department of Commerce, provided one has specifically been designated for this purpose. Otherwise, information requests from the NWSEO General Counsel shall be submitted to the Assistant Administrator or designee.

SECTION 3. The Union shall not call, or participate in a strike, work stoppage, or slowdown, or picketing of an agency in a labor management dispute if such picketing interferes with an agency's operations, or condone the activity above by failing to take action to prevent or stop such activity. Any informational picketing which does not interfere with an agency's operations will not be considered an unfair labor practice.

SECTION 4. The Union shall be given advance notice and afforded the opportunity to be represented at any formal discussion between management and unit employees concerning any grievance, personnel policy or practice, or other general condition of employment.

SECTION 5. Union representatives not assigned to the facility may be granted access to another facility to talk to Management, Union representatives, or employees provided that advanced clearance has been obtained from the Management of the facility being visited. The request shall specify the purpose of the meeting. Meetings will be arranged by mutual agreement. This, however, does not affect the right of the Union to meet employees in non-work areas on non-duty time.

SECTION 6. Management will provide the NWSEO, in accordance with applicable law, rule or regulation, a roster of all bargaining unit employees on a semi-annual basis, and on request, a roster of a particular class or group of employees. Bargaining unit employees will be identified by their physical location.

SECTION 7. Each steward will be permitted up to 15 minutes to meet with each newly hired employee assigned to the facility for the purpose of explaining the role and responsibilities of the NWSEO. This time will be made available within three (3) days after the employee reports for duty. Where no steward is assigned to or available at the facility, NWSEO orientation material may be mailed by the NWSEO national office to each newly hired employee.

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