Exempt Release Time (ERT). The parties acknowledge that there are certain activities other than those specified in paragraphs (A) and (B) above that the Union member may be required to attend. Generally, these meetings are for the benefit of the bureau or City. Normally, Union members attending these types of meetings are considered on detail assignments. These types of activities will now be classified as ERT. The parties agree that ERT must be approved by the Fire Chief or their designee and ERT shall not be considered reimbursable by the Union, nor shall it be counted towards the 600 hours’ accumulation in paragraph (A) above. Union officers attending investigatory interviews, disciplinary meetings, labor management activities, City of Portland Labor Management Benefits Committee, grievance meetings with either Human Resources or the Fire Bureau, and those assigned to attend committee meetings where assignment to said committee was made through the labor management process will be granted ERT.
