Article 4 1964

ARTICLE IV

Organizations' Rights

1. Scope of Negotiations
In exercising authority to make rules and regulations relating to personnel policies and practices and working conditions, the Department shall have due regard for the obligation imposed by this Article, but such obligation shall not be construed to extend to such areas of discretion and policy as the mission of the Department, its budget, its organization and the assignment of its personnel, or the technology of performing its work. The organizations may negotiate in the general area of working conditions, personnel policies and practices. As a general rule, negotiable matters must be within the administrative discretion of the Postmaster General, be permissible by applicable laws, Executive Orders, Civil Service Commission and other applicable non-Post Office Department regulations. The organizations have a right to negotiate or consult as appropriate regarding changes in regulations or policy affecting personnel policies, practices and working conditions. Both parties, when formulating proposals or counter-proposals, shall consider that they may not negotiate provisions that are in conflict with:
1. Law
2. Regulations of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Labor.
3. Matters not within the administrative discretion of the agency.

Transfers and assignments shall be made with due regard for applicable seniority provisions.

2. Responsibilities
The Organizations shall not (1) assert the right to strike against the Government of the United States or any agency thereof, or to assist or participate in any such strike or impose a duty or obligation to conduct, assist or participate in any such strike, or (2) advocate the overthrow of the constitutional form of Government of the United States, or (3) discriminate with regard to terms or conditions of membership because of race, color, creed or national origin. Violations of these provisions shall be the basis for the withdrawal of recognition of the particular organization concerned. Each employee organization shall be responsible for representing the interests of all such employees in their respective units without discrimination and without regard to employee organization membership.
3. Standards of Conduct and Code of Fair Labor Practices
The Department agrees to observe all rights extended to the Organizations under the Standards of Conduct for Employee Organizations and the Code of Fair Labor Practices in the Federal Service as prescribed by the President, May 21, 1963, and the Organizations agree to observe and subscribe to said Standards of Conduct and Code of Fair Labor Practices.
4. Exchange of Information
Recognizing that to a great extent the interests of the Department and of the Organizations are the same and that the exchange of information is one of the simplest methods of promoting mutual understanding and cooperation, it is the right of the Organizations which have exclusive or formal recognition at any level to be given information directly bearing on personnel policies and procedures and working conditions, and also information which may have an indirect impact upon personnel. All such information should be submitted as far in advance as practicable and should be withheld only for security reasons. Each individual employee organization that is a party to this Agreement shall be given the opportunity to be represented at discussions at the national level between officials of the Department and employees and/or employee representatives concerning grievances, personnel policies and practices, and other matters affecting general working conditions of craft or occupational group employees in the unit represented on a national basis by the individual organization. A representative of an Employee Organization having exclusive recognition has the right to be present and the postal official at the regional or local level is obligated to offer such Employee Organization representative an opportunity to be present when matters affecting the craft group are being presented by and/or discussed with employee organizations. Each organization has been recognized as the exclusive representative of craft or occupational group employees of an appropriate national unit and is entitled to act for and to negotiate supplemental agreements for all employees in their respective units.
5. Bulletin Boards
Separate Bulletin Boards for the exclusive use of each organization party to this Agreement will be placed in each installation in all swing rooms and work areas if space is available and it is otherwise feasible. One Bulletin Board will be placed at each appropriate location for the exclusive use of the Organizations if it is not possible to have one available for each organization party to this Agreement. The head of the installation shall determine the number and location of the Boards, shall pass on the suitability of material for posting if, after posting, the question of suitability is raised, and shall otherwise govern use of the Boards. Prior to the removal of a posting, the installation head shall discuss with the Craft Representative. It no agreement is reached, a copy of the bulletin in question shall be initialed, dated and reason for removal noted by the installation head and returned to the Craft Representative.
6. Distribution of Information
Literature or notices may be distributed or posted at appropriate points within work areas of a postal building by employees of the installation serving as representatives of employee groups that are party to this Agreement. As a guide to organization officials, literature containing attacks or propaganda against the United States Government or its agencies or against individuals may not be posted or distributed on Federal premises. The distribution of literature will be permitted provided it is done "off the clock" and does not interfere with work being done by other employees. The distribution and posting of material of employee groups does not constitute endorsement of the material by the postal official in charge of the installation, or higher authority, and nothing may be contained in the material distributed or posted that will appear to constitute an endorsement. The Organizations agree that advertisements, circulars, placards, handbills, cards or notices relating to any private business and pictures, cartoons, or other documents of a political character designed to influence an election in favor of any candidate may not be placed on the walls or elsewhere for public exhibition within areas used for postal activities, or the lobbies thereof, or on any portion of the post office premises. These provisions extend to nonpostal space in Government buildings operated by the Post Office Department.