CHILD CARE

The Parties recognize the relationship of adequate child care to employee satisfaction and productivity and that this is mutually beneficial. However, the Parties further recognize that it is not within the authority of the Agency to directly provide on-site child care at its facilities.

In accordance with governing regulations, the Agency shall provide advice and assistance concerning employee child care. Such advice and assistance may include conducting needs assessment surveys,maintaining information about private child care facilities available to employees, and maintaining information about tuition assistance programs.

In accordance with governing regulations, the Agency may provide suitable government owned or leased space and space-related services without charge for the purpose of establishing child care facilities in or near the Agency's facilities.

When any facility is constructed and there will be at least fifty (50) employees in the facility, the Agency shall conduct a needs assessment survey to determine the feasibility of establishing a child care facility. The Agency shall compile a list of other government facilities within the commuting area, so that such facilities may combine resources for the purpose of meeting the basic eligibility requirements as determined by GSA.

If requested, the Union shall be involved in all phases of this process.

When workgroups are formed for the purpose of establishing on-site or off-site child care facilities, the Union shall be entitled to name a representative on the group. The representative will be allowed duty time to participate in the activities of the group if otherwise in a duty status. If requested by the representative and staffing and workload permit, the Agency shall change his/her days off to allow participation in a duty status for these purposes. If the Agency is unable to approve the change as specified above, the workgroup meeting will be rescheduled to a mutually agreeable time.

The Agency shall provide for the use of a private area in all of its facilities for nursing mothers to express milk during working hours. The area shall be a space other than a bathroom that is uninterrupted, shielded from view, provides predictable privacy, is not accessible through another room, and is free from intrusion from co-workers and the public. If there is no employee with a need to express breast milk, there is no requirement to provide a lactation space. Employees, who are nursing mothers, will submit the Nursing Mothers Program Form in Appendix H to their immediate supervisor at least one (1) pay period in advance of the effective pay period. The Union and Agency at the local level shall meet and collaboratively determine a suitable location that meets the requirements of this Section.

When it is necessary for a nursing mother to express milk, a reasonable break shall be provided. The duration of the break will vary according to the needs of the individual mother.