Optional Mediation The Parties may mutually agree to non-binding mediation:
(a) If the grievance is not resolved at Step 3, either Party may request that a Mediator be appointed to meet with the Parties, investigate and define the issues in dispute and facilitate a resolution.
(b) The Mediator shall be appointed by mutual agreement between the Parties.
(c) The purpose of the Mediator's involvement in the grievance process is to assist the Parties in reaching a resolution of the dispute, and anything said, proposed, generated or prepared for the purpose of trying to achieve a settlement is to be considered privileged and will not be used for any other purpose.
(d) The expenses of the Mediator shall be equally borne by both Parties.
(e) The grievance may be resolved by mutual agreement between the Parties.
Professional Service Consultant agrees that all services and work performed under this agreement will be accomplished in a professional manner, in accordance with the accepted standards of Contractor’s profession.
Professional Services Bodily injury" or "property damage" arising out of the rendering of or failure to render profes- sional services;
Scope of Professional Services 3.1 On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, COUNTY hereby engages CONTRACTOR to provide all labor, materials and equipment to complete the Project/Service in accordance with the Scope of Services, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Attachment A, as modified or clarified by Addendum(s) # , dated , attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Attachment B. It is understood that the Scope of Services may be modified by change order as the Project/Service progresses, but to be effective and binding, any such change order must be in writing, executed by the parties, and in accordance with the COUNTY’s Purchasing Policies and Procedures. A copy of these policies and procedures shall be made available to the CONTRACTOR upon request.
3.2 The term of this Agreement shall be as follows (please check box): The parties acknowledge that this is a project specific agreement and that the single Project/Service shall be completed by the CONTRACTOR within ( ) calendar days after the Notice to Proceed is issued. The CONTRACTOR and COUNTY acknowledge that this Agreement is for a twelve (12) month term and that the CONTRACTOR shall complete the work as specified in the Scope of Services. The COUNTY has the option to renewal this Agreement for four (4) additional one (1) year period(s). The prices set forth in this Agreement shall prevail for the full duration of the initial contract term unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in this document. Prior to completion of each exercised contract term, the COUNTY may consider an adjustment to price based on changes in the following pricing index: CPI. It is the CONTRACTOR’s responsibility to request any pricing adjustment in writing under this provision. The CONTRACTOR’s written request for adjustment should be submitted thirty (30) calendar days prior to expiration of the then current contract term and clearly substantiate the requested increase. The written request for adjustment should not be in excess of the relevant pricing index change. If no adjustment request is received from the CONTRACTOR, the COUNTY will assume that the CONTRACTOR has agreed that the optional term may be exercised without pricing adjustment. Any adjustment request received after the commencement of a new option period shall not be considered. The COUNTY reserves the right to reject any written price adjustments submitted by the CONTRACTOR and/or to not exercise any otherwise available option period based on such price adjustments. Continuation of the contract beyond the initial period, and any option subsequently exercised, is a COUNTY’s prerogative, and not a right of the CONTRACTOR. This prerogative will be exercised only when such continuation is clearly in the best interest of the COUNTY. All work shall be performed in accordance with good commercial practice. The work schedule and completion dates shall be adhered to by the CONTRACTOR except in such cases where the completion date will be delayed due to acts of God, strikes, or other causes beyond the control of the CONTRACTOR. In these cases, the CONTRACTOR shall notify the COUNTY of the delays in advance of the original completion so that a revised delivery schedule can be appropriately considered by the COUNTY. No additional days shall be granted for rain delays.
3.3 The CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals and permits to complete the Project/Service.
3.4 The CONTRACTOR shall remain appropriately licensed and/or employ the services of a subcontractor who is appropriately licensed throughout the course of the Project/Service. Failure to maintain all required licenses shall entitle the COUNTY, at its option, to terminate this Agreement.
3.5 Although this Agreement identifies specific facilities to be serviced, it is hereby agreed and understood that any County department or agency facility may be added to this Agreement at the option of the County. When required by the pricing structure of the Agreement, the CONTRACTOR shall be invited to submit price quotes for these additional facilities. The additional site(s) shall be added to this Agreement by formal modification. The COUNTY may obtain price quotes for the additional facilities from other vendors in the event that fair and reasonable pricing is not obtained from the CONTRACTOR or for other reasons at the County’s discretion. Although this Agreement identifies specific facilities to be serviced, it is hereby agreed and understood that any County department or agency may delete service for any facility when such service is no longer required, upon fourteen (14) calendar days written notice.
3.6 The CONTRACTOR acknowledges that it has sufficient understanding of the nature and location of the work; the general and local conditions, including but not limited to, those bearing upon transportation, disposal, handling and storage of materials; availability of labor, water, electric power, and roads; and uncertainties of weather or similar physical conditions at the site; the character of equipment and facilities needed preliminary to and during the completion of the Project/Service. The CONTRACTOR further acknowledges that the CONTRACTOR has satisfied itself as to the character, quality and quantity of surface and subsurface materials, obstacles or conditions of the site. Any failure by the CONTRACTOR to acquaint itself with any aspect of the work or with any of the applicable conditions shall not relieve the CONTRACTOR from responsibility for adequately evaluating the difficulty or cost of successfully performing the work required, nor shall it be considered a basis for any claim for additional time or compensation. The COUNTY assumes no responsibility for any conclusions or interpretations made by the CONTRACTOR on the basis of the information made available by the COUNTY. The COUNTY also assumes no responsibility for any understanding or representations made by its officers or agents during or prior to the execution of this contract, unless such understanding or interpretations are made in writing and incorporated herein by reference.
3.7 If required, the Contractors shall attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting. Whether or not there is a mandatory or non-mandatory pre-bid, the contractor shall be required to carefully examine any supplied drawings and/or specifications and be thoroughly aware regarding any and all conditions that may in any manner affect the work to be performed under the contract. If a pre-bid meeting is not required the Contractor shall visit the site to familiarize themselves with the Project/Service, see existing conditions, and take measurements. No additional allowances will be made for lack of knowledge of these conditions.
3.8 In the event of any conflict between the drawings and specifications contained within this Agreement, the following shall govern:
A. Addenda shall supersede all other contract documents to the extent specified in the addenda. Subsequent addenda shall supersede prior to addenda only to the extent specified therein.
B. Drawings and specifications are intended to agree and be mutually complete. Any item not contained within the drawings, but contained in the specifications, or vice-versa, shall be provided and/or executed as shown in either the drawing or specification at no extra costs to the COUNTY. Should anything not included in either the drawing and/or the specifications be necessary for the proper construction and/or operation of the Project/Service as herein specified, or should any error or disagreement between the specifications and drawings exist or appear to exist, the CONTRACTOR shall not derive unjust benefit thereby, or use such disagreement counter to the best interests of the COUNTY. The CONTRACTOR shall immediately notify the COUNTY’s Project Manager of any discrepancy and await the Project Manager’s direction before proceeding with the work in question.
3.9 CONTRACTOR acknowledges and agrees that CONTRACTOR shall utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system in accordance with the terms governing use of the system to confirm the employment eligibility of:
A. All persons employed by the CONTRACTOR during the term of this Agreement to perform employment duties within Lake County; and
B. All persons, including subcontractors, assigned by the CONTRACTOR to perform work pursuant to the contract.
3.10 CONTRACTOR acknowledges and agrees that, in accordance with Section 255.099, Florida Statutes, if the Project/Service assigned to CONTRACTOR is being supported in whole or in part by State funding the CONTRACTOR shall give preference to the employment of state residents in the performance of the work on the Project/Service if state residents have substantially equal qualifications to those of non- residents. If the CONTRACTOR is required to employ state residents, the CONTRACTOR shall contact the Department of Economic Opportunity to post the employment needs in the State’s job bank system. However, in work involving the expenditure of federal aid funds, this section may not be enforced in such a manner as to conflict with or be contrary to federal law prescribing a labor preference to honorably discharged soldiers, sailors, or marines, or prohibiting as unlawful any other preference or discrimination among the citizens of the United States.
Negotiation and Mediation If either party serves written notice of a Dispute upon the other party (a “Dispute Notice”), the parties will first attempt to resolve the Dispute by direct discussions between representatives of the parties who have authority to settle the Dispute. In the event the Dispute is not resolved within 15 days by the initial representatives to whom the matter is referred, the Dispute will be escalated for resolution to the CFO of each party. If the parties agree, they may also attempt to resolve the Dispute through mediation administered by a mutually agreed upon mediator.
Professional Memberships Each employee is eligible for reimbursement for membership fees or dues paid for the maintenance of a license required to perform employee’s job and for dues paid for membership in one additional job related professional association.
Professional Meetings Employees should be encouraged to and may, with the approval of the supervisor, attend professional meetings, conferences, and activities. Subject to the availability of funds, the employee's expenses in connection with such meetings, conferences, or activities shall be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable provisions of State law and university rules.
Contract for Professional Services of Physicians Optometrists, and Registered Nurses
Training and Professional Development 11.1 The Employer will develop and maintain an employee training and development plan and provide such plan to the Union upon request. Staff training is intended to provide an opportunity for classified staff employees for training sponsored by the University Training and Development and the UW Medical Centers Organizational Development and Training. Education/Professional Leave is intended to facilitate employee access to continuing education opportunities. Training and educational/professional leave may be used for the purpose of improving job performance, maintaining and increasing proficiency, preparing staff for greater responsibility, or increasing promotional opportunities within the framework of staff positions available at the University.
11.2 Any release time for training for employees accepted for such classes shall be in accordance with the Executive Order (currently No. 52) governing this matter. In the event that two or more employees request the same training period and supervision must limit the number of persons who may participate at one time due to work requirements, the selection will be made on a mutually agreeable basis within the department.
11.3 The training program is a proper subject for discussion by either departmental or University-wide Joint Union/Management Committees.
11.4 If the Employer requires an employee to receive training, reimbursement will be provided in accordance with the University travel rules. Employee attendance at Employer required training, either during or outside working hours, will be considered time worked and compensated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
11.5 Employee attendance at training not required by the Employer and not covered by Executive Order 52, either on approved leave from or outside of working hours, will be voluntary and not considered time worked.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT A. The Board of Education agrees to pay the actual tuition costs of courses taken by a teacher at accredited colleges or universities up to three courses per two (2) year fiscal periods from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008 and July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010 respectively, except as follows:
1. No teacher may be reimbursed for courses taken during the first year of teaching in Vineland.
2. Teachers taking courses in the second and third years of employment in Vineland will not receive remuneration until tenure has been secured. The remuneration will then be retroactive and will be paid to the teacher in a lump sum within sixty (60) days after the teacher has secured tenure.
3. All courses must be pre-approved by the Superintendent or his designee subject to the following requirements:
(a) A teacher must provide official documentation that he/she has obtained a grade of B or better;
(b) Reimbursement shall be paid only for courses directly related to teacher’s teaching field which increase the teacher’s content knowledge and are related to the teacher’s current certification, as determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee in his/her sole discretion; no reimbursement shall be paid for courses leading to a post graduate or professional degree in a field other than education or teaching. Further, effective September 1, 2010, all newly hired teachers shall not be eligible for reimbursement until they are tenured, and they shall not be eligible for retroactive reimbursement upon gaining tenure for courses taken prior to being tenured.
(c) The maximum total payments to be made by the Board shall not exceed $130,000.00. Courses shall be applied for no earlier than the following dates: Summer Session - April 1 Fall/Winter Session - June 1 Spring Session - October 1 Courses must, as set forth hereinabove in this sub-article 18.A.3, be pre-approved by the Superintendent or his designee, prior to the teacher commencing the course(s); and
(d) Teacher taking courses shall sign a contract requiring them to reimburse the Board for all tuition paid for a course if the teacher shall voluntarily leave the employ of the Board within one (1) full school/academic year of completion of said course, except that reimbursement shall not be required when the teacher shall voluntarily leave the employ of the Board due to a significant, documented life change.
4. Tuition reimbursement costs shall be a sum not to exceed the actual cost of college credits charged in an accredited public State college/University of the State of New Jersey.
B. When the Superintendent initiates in-service training courses, workshops, conferences and programs designed to improve the quality of instruction, the cooperation of the Vineland Education Association will be solicited. Notwithstanding the above, the initiation of in-service training courses, workshops, conferences and programs shall be determined solely at the discretion of the Board.
C. One professional leave day may be granted to a teacher upon request, according to the following guidelines:
1. The professional day may be for attendance at a workshop, seminar or visit to another school for the expressed purpose of self professional improvement for the job.
2. The request shall arrive in the office of the Superintendent of Schools at least ten (10) working days prior to the date requested and shall be reviewed by the immediate supervisor prior to submission. The Board reserves the right to deny a professional leave day before or immediately following a holiday or on a day which by its nature suggests a hardship for providing a substitute.
3. No more than two teachers from any one elementary school or from any one department in the secondary schools may be granted a professional leave for a given day.
4. The teacher may be required to submit a report to the Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent, supervisor (s), principal and staff regarding the activity of the professional day.
5. Costs incurred by the teacher for the professional day authorized under this Section shall be the teacher’s responsibility.
6. A maximum of 90 professional leave days may be authorized for the school year which shall be apportioned as follows: elementary, 35; grades seven and eight, 20; and high school, 35.
D. If the Board initiates a teacher’s attendance at a professional workshop, seminar or visit, the expenses shall be the responsibility of the Board. Further, this day shall not be subtracted from the 90 professional leave days granted to teachers of the Association.
E. The Board agrees to pay the full cost of courses taken by secretaries related to skills and knowledge improvement when such courses are required and approved by the Board.
F. The Board and the Association agree that it is important to communicate when developing and implementing current and future learning technologies, including but not limited to distance and on-line learning.
