established safe working procedures and use safeguards provided for their protection.

(b) Further, the GPO will furnish a clean and sanitary work area, commensurate with the work process involved.

SECTION 2. The GPO agrees to periodically monitor the working environment with approved instrumentation, operated by qualified personnel, designed to detect and measure noise or other substances, which are potentially hazardous to employees. Results of surveys will be made available to the unions.

(a) Where excessive limits or tolerances of hazardous substances or noise are detected, feasible engineering controls will be utilized to reduce the hazards to acceptable levels. In the event such controls fail to reduce the hazards, personal protective equipment, including eye, ear and face protection, respiratory protection, foot and head protection, will be provided as required at no expense to the employee.

(b) Administrative controls will be used to protect employees that cannot be safeguarded through either of the above methods.

SECTION 3. (a) When an employee reasonably believes that equipment he is operating or his working environment is so unsafe that it will result in bodily injury, he can request the supervisor either to stop the operation of that equipment or permit him to discontinue working in that environment until the Safety Officer, day, or his designee, nights, is called to evaluate the potential hazard and make a decision. The decision of the Safety Officer will be final. If the employee does not agree with the decision of the designee of the Safety Officer on the nightside, the Assistant Production Manager will make the final decision.

(b) When the Safety Officer has found that the machinery or shop conditions are detrimental to health or safety, no employee shall be disciplined for refusal to work on such machinery or under such conditions until the hazard has been remedied or the employee properly protected from such hazard. The definition of health or safety hazard shall be consistent with those health or safety hazards promulgated by the Department of Labor under 29 U.S.C. 655 (sometimes known as the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970) and adopted by the Public Printer. Management and the Union will hold safety inspections with the union safety committee and the management committee as may be specified in the Supplemental Agreement. The results of all inspections will be forwarded to the Safety Officer before the next safety inspection.

SECTION 4. The GPO will make all reasonable efforts to insure that prompt and adequate medical service is available for an injured employee on all shifts.

SECTION 5. When the Medical Officer of the employer determines that an employee on duty is unfit for duty as the result of an occupational disease or injury the employer will follow the provisions of Article XXIV, Section 12 to transport the employee to a medical facility or his home. The employer will insure that the employees subject to known toxic substances will be periodically examined and appropriate records will be maintained and furnished upon request.

SECTION 6. The Council will be furnished a copy of OSHA Form 102, "Summary Report of Federal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses," as submitted to the Department of Labor on an annual basis.

SECTION 7. Employees will be required to report, in writing, all hazardous conditions or mechanical defects to the supervisors when observed.

SECTION 8. All accidents and injuries shall be reported in accordance with the requirements of Article XXIV of this Agreement.

SECTION 9. If a disciplinary action occurs as a result of a matter raised in Section 3 of this Article, the employee may grieve the disciplinary action under the provisions of Article VII of this Agreement.

SECTION 10. The GPO agrees to send two union representatives, chosen by the Joint Council of Unions to the Federal Occupational, Health, and Safety Conference each year at GPO expense.

SECTION 11. Safety provisions of existing and future Supplemental Agreements which are not in conflict. with Sections 1 through 10 of this article will be controlling.

ARTICLE XXVI

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

SECTION 1. The Joint Council of Unions and the GPO strongly endorse the principle and objectives of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program as set forth in applicable laws and regulations and the parties will cooperate with all EEO programs of the GPO.

SECTION 2. The GPO agrees that its Equal Employment Opportunity Program shall conform to applicable Executive Orders, laws and EEOC regulations. The Agency agrees to make every reasonable effort to fully implement its Affirmative Action Program. Any individual complaint arising under this section shall be resolved through the Joint Negotiated Grievance

Procedure, statutory, EEOC or Agency procedures, as applicable.

SECTION 3. The GPO agrees that so long as the EEOC is willing to review the Agency's EEO plan, the plan will be submitted to the EEOC for review of its compliance with applicable regulations.

ARTICLE XXVII

GENERAL CONDITIONS

SECTION 1. During the regular orientation given to all new employees by the Personnel Service, employees included in bargaining units represented by the Joint Council will be informed of the Unions' exclusive recognition and of their right to join or not join a union.

SECTION 2. A representative of the Joint Council will be informed of all such orientation sessions and afforded an opportunity to be present.

SECTION 3. Included in the information given to all new bargaining unit employees will be a copy of the Master Agreement and the contract applicable to their bargaining unit.

ARTICLE XXVIII

PROVISIONS OF LAW AND REGULATIONS

No department, division, section, or unit shall implement rules, regulations, or procedures inconsistent with GPO plant-wide rules, regulations, or procedures. However, it is recognized that due to technology and work habits special rules and regulations may be needed in particular units; such rules or regulations may be negotiated with the affected unions(s).

ARTICLE XXIX

DURATION OF CONTRACT

SECTION 1. This contract shall become effective on the 30th calendar day following the signing of the agreement by the Public Printer and the Joint Council of Unions. It shall remain in effect for 3 years, except as here and after provided.

SECTION 2. Not more than 90 calendar days nor less than 60 calendar days prior to the expiration date, either party may give to the other party written notice of its desire to enter into a new or amended contract. Any notice given under the provisions of this section shall be accompanied by a copy of the proposed new or amended contract. The party receiving notice given in accordance with this section may deliver a counterproposal to the other party within 30 calendar days after receipt of such notice. In the event of failure of the respondent party to submit a counterproposal within the 30-day period herein provided, the existing contract shall be considered as having been filed as said party's counter proposal. Within 10 calendar days after the delivery of the counterproposal or the expiration of such 30-day period, negotiations shall be entered into and shall proceed with due diligence.

SECTION 3. This contract will remain in full force and effect during a renegotiation period including mediation and the impasse procedure.