G. The Counselor will provide the employee or his/her representative a copy of the initial contact form.  If the employee uses a Union representative, the copy will be given to the Union representative.

H. If an employee elects to utilize the grievance procedure with Union representation, instead of the statutory procedure for alleged discrimination, the Union shall have the right of discovery, if the grievance is referred to arbitration.

Section 6--Complaints

A.  Any employee who wishes to file or has filed a complaint shall be free from coercion, interference, and reprisal, and shall be entitled to expeditious processing of the complaint within the time limits prescribed by regulations.  Any employee who seeks to file a complaint shall have the right to select a representative of his/her choosing.

B. An employee has the option of filing a complaint under the negotiated grievance procedure (Article 24) or under the agency EEO complaint procedure, but not both.  EEO counselors will provide an inquiring employee a written description of both
procedures.

C. The Administration agrees to furnish the Union statistical reports concerning discrimination complaints filed by bargaining unit employees.

Section 7--Duty Status

A.  A reasonable amount of official time will be authorized to employees and/or to representatives, who otherwise would be in duty status, to participate in statutory complaints.  Article 30, Appendix F will apply to the field office component.

B.  In consideration of the unique importance of this plan to all SSA employees, the Union, and the Administration, the Employer agrees to facilitate consultations and negotiations on the plan, and an annual meeting to monitor the AEP plan.

Travel expenses for statutory complaints will be paid in accordance with applicable law, rule, regulation and past practice.

Section 8--Sexual Harassment

The parties recognize that harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of Section 703 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a