§26.1 The State and the PBA agree to establish a labor-management committee at the Division level. This committee may establish such other committees or subcommittees at appropriate levels as it may deem necessary.

§26.2 The function of this committee shall be to facilitate communication between the parties to promote a climate conducive to constructive employee relations, to recommend resolutions of employee relations problems which may arise in the administration of this Agreement and to discuss other matters of mutual interest. Such committee or special technical subcommittees may discuss and explore ideas for improvement and exchange information concerning developments and improvements in such areas as uniforms, equipment, physical examinations, performance ratings and safety and health hazards.

§26.3 The committee will meet as circumstances require with either party having the right to request a meeting. Requests for meetings should normally be made at least a week in advance with the requesting party submitting an agenda of the topics for discussion; however, if the situation warrants immediate action, the week advance notice may be waived.

The size of the committee may vary according to the topics to be discussed; however, the PBA representatives shall not exceed the 10 members of the PBA Executive Board who are members of this Unit and the PBA President.

Such members may attend provided, however, that the absence of such members from duty shall not interfere with Division operational needs. Such full attendance meetings shall not occur more frequently than four times per year.

§26.4 Employee organization leave and travel as defined in Article 7.3D, E, and F shall be available for the purposes of this Article. Management shall make every reasonable effort to schedule such meetings during the normal working hours of participants provided, however, that any necessary changes in shift schedules shall not result in the earning of overtime credits by the participants pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or other rules or regulations concerning overtime.

§26.5 Staff representatives of the Office of Employee Relations and the PBA may render assistance and may participate in such meetings upon request to help accomplish the objectives of these committees as set forth in this Article.

§26.6 Nothing contained in this Article is intended to restrict in any way the normal, informal discussion and resolution of problems by and between the management of the Division, members, and PBA representatives.