ARTICLE

3.

Section 1 - Purpose

A. Partnership involves the design, implementation, and maintenance of a cooperative working relationship between Labor and Management through maximum pre-decisional involvement in order to achieve common goals. Management and Union leadership must be committed to the principles upon which Partnership is based in order for this effort to be successful.

B. The structure, nature, scope, and operation of partnerships will be jointly determined by Management and Union officials at the appropriate level in accordance with the principles in Section 2. All partnerships will use consensus decision making and will consist of equal numbers of Union and Management members. Top Management and Union leaders should fully participate in the activities of Partnership, preferably as members of the Partnership Council.

Section 2 - Principles

Management and Labor shall be committed to work at all appropriate levels to establish and improve effective Partnerships which are designed to ensure a quality work environment for employees, more efficient administration of VA programs, and improved service to veterans. The principles which guide this effort include:

A. Pre-decisional involvement,

B. Shared responsibility,

C. Identification of problems,

D. Sharing of information,

E. Finding solutions,

F. Reaching joint agreements and making joint recommendations,

G. Use of alternate dispute resolution, interest-based problem-solving techniques, and facilitation,

H. Integration of interests,

I. Union and management working together on committees such as, but not limited to, Director's Staff, Administrative Executive Board, Clinical Executive Board, Strategic Planning, Resources, joint training programs, and work groups to address issues of mutual interest. The Union will have the right to select its representative for such committees and work groups,

J. Cooperation,

K. Mutual respect,

L. Open communication,

M. Trust,

N. Minimizing or eliminating collective bargaining disputes, and

O. Publicizing partnership successes at all levels.

Section 3 -Scope

The scope of partnership will include issues raised by either party regarding:

A. Matters involving personnel policies, practices, and working conditions.

B. In accordance with Executive Order 12871, numbers, types, and grades of employees as well as methods, means, and technology of work.

C. By mutual consent, the parties may fulfill the collective bargaining obligation through Partnership.

Section 4 - Training

To achieve optimum results from Partnership, the best interests of both parties are served by continual and joint Labor/Management training. The need for and the type of training will be determined by the Partnership Council with costs incurred by the Department.

Section 5 - Duty Status

While participating in Partnership activities, all bargaining unit members will be considered on duty status and not on official time. In the event these activities are conducted beyond normal duty hours, members will be compensated in accordance with applicable law.

Section 6 - Expenses

It has been determined that partnership is in the best interest of the government; accordingly the Department of Veterans Affairs will be responsible for all Partnership Council members' appropriate travel and per diem expenses in connection with Partnership activities.