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13 assuming LWOP status. In the event there is a reduction-in-force at that facility/office while the Union official is in a LWOP status, the Union official's future duty status and duty location shall be determined in accordance with Article 47 of this Agreement. By mutual agreement between the Union official and his/her employing FAA region/directorate, he/she may be returned to a duty station other than the duty station to which he/she was assigned prior to his/ her assuming LWOP status. SECTION 4. Upon written notice to the Agency that need for LWOP granted under Section 1 of this Article has ended, Union officials shall be permitted to return to duty prior to the termination date of their LWOP status. Such request for return to duty shall be certified by the National Office of the Union. SECTION 5. An employee who is placed on LWOP while acting in an official capacity on behalf of the Union shall be entitled to all such continued benefits, including participation in the Federal retirement program, as provided in applicable laws and regulations. SECTION 6. Basic pay of Union officials who are elected or appointed to serve in an official capacity as a representative of the Union, and who have been granted LWOP under this Article, shall be set as though the employee never le the applicable pay band of their assigned position of record, accruing all annual increases to which he/she would have been entitled. ARTICLE 4 Employee Rights SECTION 1. Each employee of the bargaining unit has the right, freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal, to form, join and assist the Union or to refrain from any such activity, and each employee shall be protected in the exercise of this right. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the right to assist the Union extends to participation in the management of the Union and acting for the Union in the capacity of Union Representative, including presentation of its views to officials of the Executive Branch, the Congress, or other appropriate authority. e Agency shall take the action required to assure that employees in the

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