Requests for Official Time. A. Union representatives must request official time using the Agency’s Official Time Request form/system, filling in all of the information indicated. In order to be approved, requests for official time for Council 238 must be routed to the Office of Mission Support (OMS)-Labor and Employee Relations Division (LERD) and to the employee’s immediate supervisor. Requests for official time for local unions, within Council 238, must be routed to the local designated authorizing official and to the employee’s immediate supervisor. If no such designated authorizing official is identified, the local human resources officer shall be considered the authorizing official. Requests must be made sufficiently in advance and with sufficient detail to allow an assessment as to whether the time requested is reasonable and necessary to grant such time to accomplish such task(s). The authorizing official will notify the union representative and the first- level supervisor of all approved and denied requests. For continuing or ongoing requests, renewals must be submitted no less than once per pay period. Supervisors, designated authorizing officials, OMS-LERD representatives, field LER specialists, Human Resources Officers (HROs) and other designated management officials may delegate their approving authority.
Requests for Official Time. It is agreed by the Parties that Union Representatives shall use official time prudently. It is further agreed that Union Representatives have the obligation to request official time, and that supervisors have the obligation to respect such requests, and grant official time in accordance with this Master Agreement.
Requests for Official Time. Stewards are authorized to perform and discharge the duties and responsibilities of their position as it relates to representing the employees of the Unit. Requests by Stewards to meet with employees or requests by bargaining unit employees to meet with Stewards shall not require prior explanation to the supervisor of the problem(s) involved other than to identify the area to be visited, and the general nature of the Union representational matter(s). Union representatives shall obtain advance permission (by submitting an Official Time Form or Leave Request) from their immediate supervisor or their immediate supervisor’s designee when leaving work to transact permissible labor-management business (as defined by this Agreement) during work hours. The Union representative shall provide sufficient information on the “Official Time Form” or Leave Request to permit the supervisor to grant or deny the request. If the request for Official Time/Leave is denied, the Union representative will be informed at that time when he or she will be permitted to leave. If the immediate supervisor is not available, permission will be requested from the next higher level of supervision.
Requests for Official Time. A. The employee Union Representative must be in a duty status to use official time.
Requests for Official Time. A. Union representatives must request official time in advance using the Agency’s Official Time Request form/system, filling in all of the information indicated. Official Time Requests will not be unreasonably denied.
Requests for Official Time a. In determining whether to grant official time, the HRO, or designated management official, must consider the urgency of the request for official time, work load, mission, and scheduling requirements. If the request is in reaction to a sensitive issue, which requires an immediate response, the HRO, or designated management official, will make every effort to grant the request immediately, or as soon as possible. If permission is delayed, the HRO, or designated management official, will give the reason for the delay. Requests for official time in reaction to a sensitive issue can be verbal but must be followed by a written request as soon as practicable.
