union representative. If the request is denied due to work requirements, the supervisor will explain the reasons for the denial and indicate when he expects to grant the request.

The phrase "workload requirements permitting" means a situation wherein the absence of the union official would not: (a) require the shutdown of an important operation(s) then in progress, or (b) prevent completion of a unit of work in time to meet a deadline, or (c) cause other serious disruption of GPO operations. Union officials/representatives who need to perform representational functions during duty hours must receive the consent of the appropriate supervisor before undertaking such activity. The union official/representative shall inform the supervisor of the general nature of the representational activity he will be performing, where he is going, and a reasonable estimate of when he expects to return to his work site. Workload requirements permitting, the request will be granted. If a request is denied due to work requirements the supervisor will indicate when he expects to be able to grant the request. The union official/representative will notify the area supervisor when he enters a work area other than his own.

Upon completion of the representational function, the union official/representative and employee shall inform their supervisors of their return to their duty site.

Employees who utilize the Production Reporting for Operations, Budgeting and Expenditures (PROBE) system will be responsible for recording their official time, using the appropriate operation and class code, into their designated PROBE machine or, if that is not possible, into a PROBE Machine designated for the employee's department or service. Employees who do not use the PROBE system will inform their su

pervisor of the amount of time they used and the category of time which was utilized.

SECTION 4. Official time outside of their normal duty hours shall be authorized for employees representing the Joint Council of Unions when in the ne gotiations of a Master Collective Bargaining Agreement or any other labor-management negotiations with the Joint Council. The number of employees for whom official time is authorized in this section shall not exceed one individual for each union Joint Council member plus the Chairman and the Scribe. In any event, it shall never be less than the number of individuals designated to represent the employer for such purposes.

SECTION 5. Any activities performed by an employee relating to the internal business of a union (including but not limited to the solicitation of membership, elections of union officials, and collection of dues) shall be performed during the time the employee is in a nonduty status.

SECTION 6. All official time granted to employees and union officials/representatives in connection with any matter arising under a supplemental agreement shall be controlled by this Article, except the GPO agrees to abide by (a) Section 15 of the February 9, 1983, Labor-Management Agreement with GCIU Local 1C, Masonry Mechanics and Section 9 of the October 7, 1974, Memorandum of Understanding with Columbia Typographical union local 101 covering the Departmental Service Office (Rapid Response Center).

SECTION 7. The Employer agrees to allow a reasonable number of union representatives to attend, in a duty status, normally up to 24 hours per year, training designed to further assist the interest of the Government by bettering the labor-management relationship.

SECTION 8. The following categories under the schedule of operations and classes shall be utilized for recording official time:

(a) 608-12. Time used by union representatives in the negotiation or renegotiation of a collective bargaining agreement for their unit and in the negotiations for the Master Contract. This includes time spent by representatives in preparation for negotiations.

(b) 608-13. Time used by union representatives and employees involved in any type of negotiations other than those in 608-12. This category is to be used by representatives when they are involved in negotiations with the agency on such matters as changes in GPO Instructions. This also includes time spent by the representatives in preparation for these negotiations.

(c) 608-14. Time used by employees while representing other employees in EEO complaints.

(d) 608-15. Time used by union representatives in connection with labor-management committees, FLRA proceedings, labor relations training, and formal or investigative-type meetings under 5 USC 7114(a), 2(A), and (B). This category will include time usage for the following functions:

(1) Labor-management committee meetings such as Safety Committees;

(2) FLRA investigations and proceedings involving unfair labor practice charges and complaints;

(3) Labor relations training which has been approved by the Director of Labor and Employee Relations Service;

(4) Attendance at formal meetings called by management to discuss personnel policies and practices, or other conditions of employment;

(5) Attendance at investigative-type meetings called when an employee reasonably believes that the meeting could lead to a disciplinary action and requests representation.

(e) 608-16. Time used by union representatives and other employees while serving as representatives in grievances, arbitrations, and disciplinary actions or other representational duties regarding working conditions, personnel practices, policies, and procedures. This includes preparation time for the above representational functions.

(f) 608-17. Time used by employees who are required to be away from their official duties in connection with grievances, unfair labor practice charges and complaints, and replying to proposed disciplinary action, will be recorded under this category rather than one of the categories shown above.

(g) 608-18. Time used by employees who are required to be away from their official duties in connection with EEO complaints.

Upon notification of the Joint Council, the above schedule of operations and classes may be changed by management because of administrative requirements.

ARTICLE IV

UNION REPRESENTATION

SECTION 1. The Government Printing Office recognizes the officers of the union, chapel chairmen/chief stewards and assistant chairmen/shop stewards as the respective unions may designate to act for and in their name.

The unions recognize their obligation to train chapel chairmen/chief stewards and assistant chair

men/shop stewards in the duties of their office. The union will designate the number of chapel chairmen, chief stewards and assistant chairmen/shop stewards and chairmen/shop stewards as necessary to serve the needs of the employees represented.

SECTION 2. When a labor-management relations problem arises, it is understood the appropriate union representative, affected employee, and involved supervisor will meet to discuss the problem at a mutually agreed upon time. However, the GPO agrees to meet as soon as possible when a problem arises which is of such importance that both parties recognize that a meeting would be beneficial to mutual interests.

SECTION 3. GPO recognizes that each employee has the right, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article III, to consult freely with the union representative on any matter affecting duties, working conditions, personnel policies, practices, and procedures. Normally the union representative will be the designated representative for his area.

SECTION 4. (a) When an employee receives notice that an adverse action is proposed, the GPO will inform the employee of his right to representation by the union or a representative of his choice, provided, however, if the selected representative is himself involved in the investigation, he may not serve as the union representative until his own examination has been completed.

(b) When an employee is to receive a verbal warning or notification of a letter of warning, the GPO will inform the employee of his right to be represented by the union, provided, however, if the selected representative is himself involved in the investigation, he may not serve as the union representative until his own examination has been completed.