Article 29
Bargaining History
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Major changes were made in this Article in 1989. The current language reflects additional changes and additions.

Section 1 commits the Department to providing a quality workplace, eliminating clearly inequitable workspace where practical, and notifying the Union when a decision has been made to reallocate space among Agencies. The language does not require that DOL immediately reconfigure space in order to eliminate inequities, but rather commits the Department to make that a goal in future space changes. This language also relates to Section 3.c., where the issue is made an appropriate topic for Agency discussions.

Section 2 sets out general guidelines, and replaces references to the old General Services Administration (GSA) guidelines that were withdrawn by GSA. The current language maintains the sixty (60) square foot minimum for workstations agreed to in 1989. This minimum refers to personal workspace and not shared workstations. Common use equipment (printers, copiers, etc.) should not be located in personal workspace to the maximum extent possible. Private offices on the windows are to be kept to a minimum. No formula is provided for this provision because of the great variety of building designs. The clear intent, however, is to provide maximum access to daylight in keeping with the commitment to a quality workplace. Finally, where overall office space is being reduced, the reduction should not fall disproportionately upon bargaining unit employees. This is in keeping with the commitment to a fair allocation of workspace. Subsection c. adds language regarding the assignment of office space. Where possible, it is desirable to have the employees who will be occupying the office space decide among themselves how to assign the space. The language states that this should be done through the Union, that is, communicated to Management through the Union, in order to avoid any direct consultations between Management and employees without the presence of the Union. Where employees cannot agree, then offices will be bid upon in order of length of service in the affected Agency.

Section 3 is new language to establish lines of communication and procedures for consultations at the Agency level for space changes, and together with Section 4 represents a major change from existing practice. The desire is to have these matters dealt with as close to the area affected as possible, and in an expeditious manner. Once the Chief Steward receives notification, Union and Management shall meet to discuss the changes. The Agreement does not require that these consultations take place at the Agency Labor-Management Relations (LMR) Committee, but allows the meeting to be arranged by the Chief Steward and relevant Management official. While it is understood that the Chief Steward may bring other bargaining unit employees to any such meetings, the number involved should not exceed five (5), the number provided for LMR meetings. Prior to these consultations, to the extent necessary, Management and the Union may agree to hold meetings with employees to obtain their views of the proposed changes. After these meetings, Management is to incorporate any agreed-to points in specific space design plans which are then shared with the Union.

Section 3.b. provides a list of appropriate issues to be dealt with at Agency consultations. The list is illustrative of the types of issues, and is not meant to limit the parties to discussions of these issues. Guidelines on all of the possible issues are not possible given the great disparity in building designs and work situations.

Section 4 provides that after the final plans have been shared with the Union, the Union has five (5) workdays to request negotiations. If no request is received by the end of five (5) days, it will be assumed that the Union has no objections to the space plans, and the space plan will be implemented. Conduct of the negotiations is governed by Article 36.FLOW CHART ON CONSULTATIONS/NEGOTIATIONS ON SPACE CHANGES