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6 Section 4. The Employer agrees to meet with National and Regional level officials or their designees at mutually agreeable times and places. Section 5. As specifically provided under 5 U.S.C. 7114 (a)(2)(A), the Union shall be given advance notice and the opportunity to designate a representative to attend any formal discussion between one (1) or more representatives of the Employer and one (1) or more BUEs in the unit or their representatives concerning any grievance or any personnel policies or practi ces, or other general condition of employment. The Employer shall advise the Union at the corresponding level, in advance, of the subject matter. Section 6. The Employer agrees to authorize Union representatives a reasonable amount of official time to p repare for meetings with management officials and to perform the duties of their office. Meetings with the Employer, formal or informal, shall be on official time. Section 7. Any Union representative, upon his/her request, will be allowed access for rep resentational purposes (consistent with security requirements) to any facility leased, owned, or otherwise occupied by the Employer where BUEs are located. Section 8. Unless prohibited by operational requirements, each calendar year, the Union will be gr anted up to a total of one hundred and twenty eight (128) hours of official time, for use by the Union to attend annual Union conferences, conventions, Union representative courses, and/or to receive information, briefings, or orientation by the Union, Emp loyer , or other appropriate agencies relating to the Federal Labor Relations Program. Such meetings may be held locally, regionally, or nationally. The Union will provide the Employer with an agenda of topics to which the BUEs will be attending. With mut ual agreement, these time limit(s) may be extended. Individual BUEs may be allowed to take Annual Leave and/or Leave without Pay to attend these events. Section 9. A Union representative shall be allowed up to one (1) hour for private orientation of new BUEs. During the orientation briefing, it is understood that the Union Representative may not perform internal business of the labor organization as prohibited by 5 U.S.C. 7131(b). Section 10. The Employer recognizes the right of Union representatives to express the views of the Union, without fear of harassment, intimidation or reprisal, provided those views are identified as Union views. This does not preclude the exercise of any management right in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 7106. Section 11. Unless operational conditions exist, the Employer may allow up to one (1) BUE at any time to serve within National and Regional Union official positions. Upon request of the Union, the BUE will be granted Leave Without Pay (LWOP) concurrent and consistent with elected terms of office or appointment. Each request by the Union for a BUE to fill this capacity shall be for a specified period and shall be certified by the national office of the Union. A BUE on LWOP shall be entitled to all benefits provided by law, rule or regulation. Upon request, BUEs will be returned to their duty station.

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