| Third National Collective Bargaining Agreement |
ARTICLE 25
Communications and Facilities
SECTION 1. Management will provide bulletin board space for posting of NWSEO material. At new or remodeled facilities where space is adequate, as determined by management, a NWSEO bulletin board will be provided. In those instances where space currently utilized is not appropriate, alternate space shall be provided to conform with the provisions of this agreement, NOAA/DOC and GSA Regulations. NWSEO material posted on the bulletin board shall not be libelous or scandalous. Management agrees to discuss any objection to posted material with NWSEO and may request its removal. These bulletin boards shall be the only place for the display of NWSEO notices, literature, and correspondence. NWSEO will maintain, the bulletin board in a neat order and the material shall be current.
SECTION 2. NWSEO may place literature in the mail slot boxes of the bargaining unit employees during non-work time. Management agrees to distribute direct mailings of NWSEO literature to addressees at facilities where the mail is initially delivered to and distributed by the NWS. Management assumes no responsibility, if the mail is not received.
SECTION 3. NWSEO representatives may use certain NWS equipment and basic office supplies for representational purposes. Employees and NWSEO representatives must first obtain authorization from their supervisor before using the equipment. Such requests shall normally be granted if they do not interfere with operational requirements or budgetary constraints of the office/unit and are not a significant additional cost to the NWS. Equipment authorized for use under this agreement is limited to the available personal computers (as determined by management), agency-licensed or copyrighted software, typewriters, copying machines, FTS or other government-leased telephones, facsimile machines, desks, e-mail and government Internet access.
SECTION 4. NWS office space that has been requested for use by authorized NWSEO officials are for the purpose of local meetings shall be provided, when available, at no cost to NWSEO, unless additional costs are incurred by NWS. Such additional cost will be charged to NWSEO. Facilities will not be provided if they interfere with operations. Employees who attend these meetings must be in a non-duty status.
SECTION 5. When a NWSEO representative is performing representational duties under this agreement, Management shall make reasonable effort to provide a meeting place which will protect the confidentiality of any discussions. The NWSEO representative must request the use of the space in advance.
SECTION 6. In such facilities where suitable shelf space is available in non-work areas, as determined by management, NWSEO shall be permitted the use of the space to store NWSEO publications. In facilities where unused suitable space is available in non-work areas, NWSEO may be permitted to use such space for storage of up to one (1) file cabinet or similar container for storage of NWSEO material. In all instances Management will determine the availability of space and reserves the right for withdrawal of permission, should the space be needed for NWS office use or storage.
SECTION 7. Management shall make reasonable effort, within budgetary constraints, to provide small individual lockers or similar containers for employee's storage of personal items. Employees will supply their individual locks as needed. Management will not make searches of locked lockers or containers, except on the basis of reasonable suspicion. Such searches will be made in the presence of the individual or his/her representative. All other storage areas in the facility are considered as a part of internal security and management reserves the right to search as necessary.
SECTION 8. Internet Use
The limited personal use of the Internet/E-mail by employees in the workplace on an occasional basis is authorized, provided that the use: (1) involves minimal expense to the government; (2) does not interfere with official business; and (3) makes clear that the e-mail, is personal and not in any way identified as an official NOAA communication.
While the occasional, moderate personal use of Government Internet/E-mail resources on official time (i.e., in a duty status) is acceptable, some uses are strictly prohibited. Prohibitions include, but are not limited to: (1) using resources to earn outside income or for private gain; and (2) using resources for activities which are inappropriate or offensive to co-workers or the public, including accessing and/or transmitting sexually explicit materials or remarks.
Where there is reasonable cause to believe employees may be misusing the Internet/E-mail, supervisors may request that official inquiries be conducted on their employees' Internet/E-mail activities, including accessing computer file information. Employees found to be misusing Government Internet/E-mail resources may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal Service.
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