Mr.
President
Public Employees Federation,
AFL-CIO
Dear Mr. Brynien:
This will confirm our mutual
understanding reached during negotiations of the 2007-2011 Agreement with
respect to the use of technology for the Step 1 and/or Step 2 meeting required
by Article 34, Grievance and Arbitration Procedure.
The parties recognize that
advances in technology have led to the ability to have virtual meetings. Such virtual meetings can among other things,
save the cost of travel, diminish pollution, and reduce highway
congestion. Virtual meetings can
include, but are not limited to, the use of net meetings, teleconferences and
videoconferences.
The State and PEF support and
encourage the exploration and use of virtual meetings as an efficient and
effective method to conduct the Step 1 and/or Step 2 meeting required by
Article 34. Either party may propose
that such a virtual meeting be used for a Step 1 and/or Step 2 meeting and the
method that will be used to conduct such a meeting. The other party must consent in order for the
virtual meeting to go forward.
The State and PEF also
acknowledge that in agencies where virtual meetings may be an option, it is
appropriate for an agency-level labor/management committee to discuss the
technology available for use in that agency and the procedure for requesting
and responding to a proposal to use such technology. Any understandings reached as a result of
such discussions must be consistent with Article 24.5 of the Agreement.
Sincerely,
John Currier
Deputy Director for Contract
Negotiation and Administration
Governor’s Office of Employee
Relations
Countersigned for PEF:
President