ARTICLE 14

LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS COUNCIL

1. PURPOSE. Both the Employer and the Union recognize that an effective and collaborative relationship between the Parties requires the opportunity for the Parties to meet and discuss issues or problems of mutual concern and benefit on a regular basis. The purpose of these meetings includes, but is not limited to, conditions of employment, matters affecting working conditions of bargaining unit Employees, informal resolution of Employer or Union grievances or complaints, Employee morale and productivity, and Employee-management relations. Individual grievances will not be addressed within this forum. The Parties jointly agree:
   
   1. The delivery of public services in the most efficient, effective, and courteous manner is of paramount importance to the Union and to the Employer.
      
   2. To value and respect all members of the Reston Library workforce and to encourage the highest degree of efficiency and effectiveness of Agency operations, as well as the enhancement of Employee performance and productivity. To this end, the Parties support the following goals:
      

      (1) Recycling and conservation of materials, human resources, and supplies;

      (2) Facilitating effective resolution of grievances and misunderstandings and to take necessary corrective action(s);

      (3) Enhancing the public image of the Parties.

      (4) Encouraging the use of the suggestion and incentive awards programs to generate money-saving ideas as well as high quality performance.

      (5) Maintaining good attendance, promptness, proper use of leave, and attention to safety requirements;

      (6) Eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse;

      (7) Continuous improvement to the quality of workmanship;

      (8) Assuring that performance plans for Employees contain the critical results necessary for the accomplishment of the mission-related goals and objectives;

      (9) Ensuring that appropriate action is taken to correct performance and/or conduct problems as they arise; and

      (10) Providing timely recognition of Employee contributions through the Awards and Recognition Program.

   3. Through their actions, to show mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s roles, responsibilities, and obligations.

2. SCHEDULE. The Parties agree to meet in good faith monthly, and generally on the third Wednesday of every month, at 1:30 p.m. for a period of up to two hours. These meetings will normally take place in the Reston Library conference room.
3. ADMINISTRATION. The number of Union and Employer representatives will normally be limited to four (4) each. However, additional representatives may be invited upon mutual agreement of the Parties due to agenda items of special interest. The Parties agree that in cases where additional management representatives are present, the Union may have the same number of representatives.

   Each Party will forward their agenda items to the other Party via e-mail as far in advance as possible, but no later than Tuesday morning before the meeting is scheduled. The meetings will be held as scheduled regardless of the availability of specific Union or Employer Representatives. Upon mutual agreement of the Parties specific agenda items may be moved to the next monthly meeting, or discussed in a separate meeting when specific representatives are necessary for effective discussion. Should any agreement be reached on a particular issue or should informal settlement of a grievance or complaint of either party be reached, such Agreement or settlement shall be documented and signed by representatives of both Parties. The signed Agreement is binding on the Parties so long as it is in compliance with law, government-wide rule or regulation, and the provisions of the Agreement, and regardless of the representatives present at the meeting.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. Parties understand that the open and honest communication of information is necessary to facilitate resolution of problems, to effectively communicate their respective needs or concerns, and to promote the success of their partnership. The Parties further understand that, on occasion, information may be revealed by either party which is not appropriate for general release in any circumstances or which may not be appropriate for general release at the present time. Therefore, the Parties agree that in such cases, the expressed desires of the other party that information be protected from release outside the meeting attendees will be respected. Further, individuals will not be quoted verbally or in writing (including e-mail) when revealing such information, or when expressing their personal opinions.
   
5. TRAINING. The Parties agree to participate jointly in Partnership Training within six (6) months of the approval of this Agreement. The training vendor will be selected based on the following criteria:
   1. Location;
      
   2. Price;
      
   3. Course contains interest based bargaining techniques;
      
   4. Partnership is vendor’s area of expertise;

   5. Vendor meets the approval of the Washington Regional Office of the FLRA.