PREAMBLE

This Agreement between the United States Department of Labor and Local 12 of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, is intended to foster a model workplace where all DOL employees are treated fairly and equitably, respect one another, and work together in a safe and healthy environment to carry out the mission of the Department.

This Agreement was reached through a non-adversarial process called "interest-based negotiations." In this process the parties came together to exchange their interests and to determine where mutual interests lie and how different interests could be resolved to the benefit of both parties. Throughout the process the parties recognized that their interests were sometimes mutual but often distinct, and that resolution of these varying interests required flexibility on both sides. The parties began by acknowledging their mutual interest in and commitment to the mission of DOL to foster, promote, and develop the well-being of our country's workers.

The parties envision creating a new cooperative spirit of labor-management relations at DOL through this Agreement. They are mindful, however, that disputes cannot be eliminated totally. Thus, the focus of this Agreement is to encourage ongoing communication between employees and managers and to foster the resolution of labor-management disputes on an informal level. Accordingly, the parties agreed on processes intended to expedite the resolution of disputes.

Further, the parties envision a new atmosphere at DOL where the Union and Management will work jointly in meeting the mission of the Agency and where the parties will assist each other in creating a workplace to serve as a model for the United States. Treating everyone with dignity and respect, eliminating all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and encouraging full employee involvement are key aspects of the model workplace that the parties are striving to create.

The parties recognize that it is in their mutual interest that both institutions, Management and the Union, be strong and viable. Therefore, both parties are committed to carrying out the letter and spirit of this Agreement and to building and maintaining a good working relationship.