collective bargaining agreement contract between - Bureau of Indian ...

Article 24Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)Important Note: The intent of this article is to discuss the option of using Alternative DisputeResolution under the Department of the Interior Conflict Resolution Plus (COREPLUS)Program to resolve grievances filed under the negotiated grievance procedures described inArticle 25 of this collective bargaining agreement. Time frames discussed in Article 25 forfiling a grievance must still be met. Grievances submitted under COREPLUS that are outsidethe time frames of the grievance procedure will be considered not timely, but will be acceptedby the COREPLUS to attempt resolution of the issue. Also note that COREPLUS does NOTreplace any legal or administrative avenues of redress available to employees or provide any extensionof time frames in which to seek redress under any formal administrative processes unless otherwiseprovided for within a specific administrative process such as (but not limited to) Equal EmploymentOpportunity (EEO) complaint process or Merit Systems Protection Board Appeals.Section 1. OverviewA. The parties agree that employees may utilize the Department of theInterior’s alternative dispute resolution process, Conflict Resolution Plus (COREPLUS). Theparties agree to follow the procedures established in Part 370 Chapter 770 of the DepartmentalManual (370 DM 770).B. Employees may elect to be represented in the COREPLUS process. Provisions for official timefor the COREPLUS process are in accordance with the basic agreement between the parties.C. Grievances submitted under COREPLUS that are outside the time frames of the grievanceprocedure will be considered not timely, but will be accepted by the COREPLUS to attemptresolution of the issues.D. In the event the employee chooses COREPLUS, the time frames established for the handling of atimely filed grievance by the grievance procedure described in Article 25 are extended to eitherthe issuance of a Notice of Results and Options or written notice by the employee or his/herrepresentative that he/she no longer elects to utilize COREPLUS.Section 2. Grievance MediationA. The parties agree the Department of the Interior’s alternative dispute resolution process, ConflictResolution (COREPLUS), may serve as an early intervention alternative to the traditionaldispute process. The purpose of the COREPLUS program is to provide a fair, equitable andeffective means for resolving workplace disputes at the earliest opportunity, at the lowestorganizational level, and to the mutual satisfaction of the parties.80