Section 1.
- Having been accorded exclusive recognition, the Association is the exclusive representative of the employees in the unit and is entitled to act for, and to negotiate agreements covering all employees in the unit. It is responsible for representing in good faith the interests of all employees in the unit without discrimination and without regard to whether or not individuals hold Association membership.
- The Association shall be given the opportunity to be represented at formal discussions between management and employees or employee representatives concerning grievances, personnel policies, and practices, or other matters affecting general working conditions of employees in the unit.
- The Association shall have all the rights which accrue to it by law or regulation by virtue of its certification as representative of the employees in the unit.
Section 2.
The Library shall in no way restrain, interfere with, coerce, or discriminate against designated representatives of the Association in the exercise of their right to serve as representatives for the purpose of collective bargaining; handling grievances, appeals, and unfair labor practice charges; furthering effective labor-management relations; or acting in accordance with applicable regulations and agreements on behalf of an employee or group of employees within the bargaining unit.
Section 3.
- uring the term of this Agreement, the Association shall have the right to meet, consult, and bargain at reasonable times with the Library with respect to changes proposed by the Association in personnel policies, practices, procedures, and matters affecting working conditions of CRS bargaining unit employees. Provided, however, any subject or matter which is covered in this Agreement, or which was discussed or presented during negotiations, may only be reopened with the consent of both parties except as provided in the reopener provision, Article 41, Section 3.
- Except when compelled by operating requirements, the Library will give the Association at least 21 days advance notice of proposed changes, amendments to, or additions to Library regulations (LCRs) on matters affecting personnel policies, practices, procedures and working conditions of CRS bargaining unit employees. Before implementation, the Library agrees to receive written comments as may be appropriate from the Association concerning such proposed changes and to meet, consult, and bargain with the Association as required by law. This subsection shall not be construed to authorize proposals to alter any matters specifically provided for in this Agreement.
- The Library will meet, consult, and bargain with the Association, to the extent required by law, over appropriate arrangements to deal with the negotiable impact and implementation of policies affecting working conditions of bargaining unit employees. Any notification provided to a labor organization in the Library concerning a Library wide matter shall also be provided to the Association.
- Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Library of any obligation it may have to give notice to the Association and to meet, consult, and bargain with the Association.
Section 4. Past Practices
The parties agree to continue, unless changed through this Agreement, any employee benefits, practices, and understandings that are enjoyed by an identifiable group of unit employees and mutually acknowledged by a duly authorized representative of the Library or its designee and the Association, and that are not specifically inconsistent with this Agreement or appropriate regulations. Nothing contained in this section shall diminish the right of the Library to exercise its rights set out in 5 U.S.C. Section 7106, management rights. Prior to changing any employee benefits, practices, and understandings that are mutually acknowledged in the manner described above, the Library shall first consult with the Association and, to the extent required by law, bargain with the Association over appropriate arrangements to deal with the negotiable impact and implementation of any changes.
Section 5. Representation on Committees
- The Association shall be entitled to have a member on all official Library committees, councils, and task forces which have as their principal purpose the consideration of matters directly affecting working conditions or personnel policies and practices in the bargaining unit, when the Library has designated that employees will be members of such assemblages.
- After consultation with the Library, the Association shall name all members of the unit who are designated as Association representatives of such official assemblages.
Section 6. Representation of Non-Member Unit Employees
The Association recognizes its legal obligation to provide fair representation to all unit employees, regardless of their membership or non-membership in the Association.
Section 7.
- For the purpose of more adequately assessing employee views on all matters relating to their employment in CRS, the Association shall have the right to ascertain employee interests and views at least once annually by circulating to them such questionnaires or other surveys as are appropriate in the determination of the Association. Such surveys are to be distributed and collected during non-duty hours.
- When the Library conducts or pays for and directs a survey involving unit employees, the Association will be notified in advance and given the opportunity to comment and shall be entitled to receive copies of the completed raw survey instruments minus names and other personal characteristics that would, on their face, clearly identify the respondents.
- All surveys of employees, including Association examination of completed survey instruments, shall be conducted in such a fashion as to protect the privacy of the employees being surveyed.
Section 8.
- The Library agrees to make all Library of Congress regulations and directives accessible on-line to all bargaining unit employees. The Library will notify the Association of changes made to Library of Congress regulations and other directives.
- The Library shall furnish to the Association on a monthly basis a complete list of all unit employees. This list shall include the following information about such employees: name, series, grade and step, position title, part-time status, if applicable, and divisional or organizational units. All personnel actions are covered, including separations, resignations, promotions, temporary promotions, and reassignments.
- The Association shall provide a representative who shall be permitted to give an informational address to each new group of unit employees attending the Library’s new employee orientation session and shall be permitted to provide such employees with an educational packet.
Section 9.
The Library agrees that representatives of the Association shall be free from coercion and restraint to communicate with members of Congress on matters affecting CRS unit employees, and those representatives of the Association shall have the right to appear, give evidence and testify before Congressional Committees with regard to such matters.
Section 10.
- The principal officers of the Association shall be granted permission to enter Library buildings at any time and may have access to their respective work areas and to the CREA office. The identification cards of these Association officials shall bear the imprint All Hours Access and shall be displayed at all times.
- For the purposes of this section, “Library Buildings” shall mean the Thomas Jefferson Building, the John Adams Building, and the James Madison Memorial Building.
- The Library may revoke, after consultation with the President of the Association, the all hours access pass of any Association official whose conduct or activities reveal a risk to the security or safety of the Library buildings.
Section 11.
The Library will notify the Association in a timely fashion, normally, absent exigent circumstances, no less than 24 hours in advance of meetings at which it is entitled to representation, specifying the time, location, and agenda for the meeting. The Association will confirm its attendance with the convener of the meeting.