Section 1. The Agency recognizes the Union Steward system for the purpose of promoting an effective relationship between supervisors and employees by helping to settle problems at the lowest possible level. Stewards, as representative of the Union, recognize that the supervisor is responsible for determining the quality, quantity and timeliness of work performed.

Section 2. The Union shall designate and the Agency agrees to recognize one steward and one alternate from each organizational segment of the bargaining unit (for example, NDCC, LB, MAPB, PRB, Animal Center Unit, Building Maintenance Unit, Clinical Center Maintenance Unit, Automated Systems Unit, Office of Resource Management, and Power Plant Unit). The alternate will function for the regular steward only in cases where the steward is on extended leave. There will be one Chief Steward recognized from the bargaining unit. The stewards will be designated in writing to the Labor Management Branch, and the designations will be kept current.

Section 3. Local 2419 shall give the agency LRO, a list of Officers, Stewards, and other designated Union Representatives, within thirty (30) days after each general election. AFGE Local 2419 shall notify the Agency whenever any changes are made to this list.

Section 4. The Parties agree that the function of the steward is to gather pertinent facts regarding employee complaints and grievances in their designated area of stewardship and to attempt to resolve them through established lines of supervision. A steward's area of stewardship, including representation under the grievance procedure, shall be within the organizational unit in which he/she is employed. The President of Local 2419 or their designee, may assign a steward from another organizational unit on a case-by-case basis if a special need exists in an individual case. It is understood that such an assignment will not be made routinely. The President of Local 2419 will notify the Labor Relations Officer, ORS, and the Labor Management Branch, OHRM, as appropriate, in advance of such exceptions.

Section 5. The steward will be allowed time away from their job to transact authorized functions as noted in Section 4 above, after requesting and receiving permission from their immediate supervisor. The Agency agrees to provide official time to process grievances, and for Union Officials to perform representational duties in accordance with Article 6, Official Time. The steward will inform the immediate supervisor where he/she plans to go and will indicate the time required. The urgency of the workload at the time of the request will be the controlling factor in granting the request. The steward also must obtain permission from the supervisor of the employee with whom he/she wants to meet. Upon completion of their business, the steward and the employee will report back to their respective immediate supervisors.

Section 6. The Parties agree that time away from the assigned work area granted to stewards and employees will not be used for discussion of matters connected with the internal management or operation of the Union; the collection of dues or assessments, the solicitation of memberships, campaigning for elective office in the Union; the distribution of literature or authorization cards; or the solicitation of grievances or complaints. The Union recognizes its responsibility to ensure that the stewards do not abuse this authority by unduly absenting themselves from their assigned work areas and the stewards will make every effort to perform their authorized functions in a proper and expeditious manner.

Section 7. All internal Union business will be conducted during the non-duty hours of the employees concerned. Official working hours include rest periods or breaks, but do not include lunch periods.