ARTICLE 45

**SPACE MANAGEMENT**

**Section 45.01 - Coverage**. The provisions of this Article are
supplemental to the HUD Space Management Handbook, and applicable
Federal Property Management regulations in effect on the effective date
of this Agreement.

**Section 45.02 - Provisions for Handicapped Employees**. Management
agrees to abide by the provisions of HUD Handbook 2216.1, dated November
30, 1983, which provides compliance with the standards for handicapped
employees as defined in the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, Sections
501 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, including OPM\'s
Guidelines on Reasonable Accommodation to Disabled Employees and
Applicants and HHS regulations on Accessibility to the Handicapped.

**Section 45.03 - Office Space**.

\(1\) **Allocation of Space**. Space shall be provided for all allocated
positions (one hundred (100) percent) to include Field and Headquarters
positions outstationed in the Field, and part-time and temporary
positions, requiring a work station.

Part-time employees requiring a work station shall be counted the same
as full-time when computing allowable office space.

\(2\) **Adequate Space**. Management agrees that the allocation of space
and furnishings for the space, such as file cabinets, desks, bookcases,
etc., shall be adequate to maintain an efficient work environment and
for performance of assigned duties.

\(3\) **Space for Employee Fitness Activities**. Upon written request,
Management may provide available space, such as conference rooms,
training rooms, etc., for use by employees for exercise classes,
aerobics, and other organized physical fitness activities. This space
may be made available during normal operating hours for use by employees
during their lunch hours or nonworking hours, to the extent that the
employee activities do not cause a disruption to the office. Where
convenient facilities exist in other buildings, and upon written request
by the Union, the parties shall explore a joint use program provided
there is no cost incurred by the Department.

\(4\) **Consideration of Public Access and Confidentiality**.
Consideration of potential problems caused by public access to open work
areas shall be given when office layouts are being planned. The workflow
of employees performing work which is confidential in nature shall be
considered before space plans are developed.

\(5\) **Moveable Partitions**. Positions located in open space areas
shall have free-standing acoustic screens (area dividers) used to:

\(a\) Partition large areas;

\(b\) Provide a degree of visual privacy;

\(c\) Reduce noise levels; and

\(d\) Regulate traffic.

The number, type, and location of screens shall be determined by the
parties at the local level. Where job related requirements are a factor,
workflow and work assignments shall be the major criteria in determining
the placement of acoustic screens.

\(6\) **Existing Walls**. Full consideration shall be given to the costs
of renovations and the adverse impact on working conditions, in
determining the prospective benefits of eliminating or moving existing
floor to ceiling partitions.

\(7\) **Decorations**. Employees have the right to decorate their
working areas with plants, prints, photographs, awards, posters and
artistic or symbolic representations appropriate to the working
environment. The display of these items must not be inconsistent with
GSA governing regulations. Both the employee and Management have a
responsibility not to deface Government property or impair its function.

\(8\) **Conference Rooms**. Changes in workload and in the mission of
the Department may create a need for adjustments in space allocations.
This may require the conversion of conference rooms to office space. The
conversion of conference rooms to office space shall be consistent with
the needs and requirements of the organization.

**Section 45.04 - Parking**.

\(1\) **Requests for Space**. The cost, availability, and convenience of
parking shall be included in any HUD request for space. The Department
shall request GSA to use this criterion as a major consideration in the
analysis of bids.

\(2\) **Existing Carpool Parking**. Existing carpool spaces under the
Department\'s control shall be retained as long as there are qualified
and interested employees, and the HUD office remains at its present
location.

\(3\) **Release of Carpool Parking**. If the work force at a given
office decreases, the Department may release excess parking spaces. If
the spaces have not been determined to be excess and there are qualified
and interested employees, the Department shall attempt to maintain the
spaces for these employees.

\(4\) **Two (2)-Wheeled Vehicles**. Subject to the availability of
satisfactory and secure space and facilities, and where there is an
expressed need, the Department shall request GSA to reserve areas for
the parking of bicycles and other two (2)-wheeled vehicles. Bicycles
shall not be transported on stairs or elevators, or parked in offices.

**Section 45.05 - Facilities.**

\(1\) **Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)**. The
Department shall coordinate with GSA in providing an adequate HVAC
system and in maintaining HVAC at an acceptable working environment
within the temperature and ventilation range outlined in GSA regulations
and specifications in offices under GSA\'s jurisdiction.

\(2\) **Rest Rooms and Water Fountains**. The Department shall
coordinate with GSA to ensure that rest rooms are adequate in size and
number and properly equipped in accordance with Government
specifications as they may be amended. The Department shall coordinate
with GSA to assure that water fountains operate and are located in
accordance with Government specifications as they may be amended. The
Department shall request that GSA check water quality when a complaint
is received on the taste, color, or smell of the water. In addition, the
Department shall request GSA to spot check the water for contaminants
prior to the initial occupancy of new space and to spot check all space
biennially.

3.  **Compliance with Building Codes**. The Department shall coordinate
    with GSA to assure that: (1) office space, whether leased or
    Government-owned, complies with the Government\'s fire and building
    codes, as determined by GSA; (2) lease agreements require compliance
    with applicable Government building and fire codes, as determined by
    GSA; and (3) the lessor is to comply with State and local codes and
    ordinances, as appropriate, applicable to the ownership and
    operation of the building in which the leased space is situated.

\(4\) **Lighting**. Lighting shall be adequate for its intended purpose
in accordance with Government regulations.

\(5\) **Routine Maintenance**. Management shall request from GSA a copy
of its routine and scheduled maintenance schedule and upon receipt, a
copy of the schedule shall be posted on Management\'s bulletin board.
Management shall carefully monitor the landlords compliance with the
provision of routine and scheduled maintenance services in accordance
with the GSA schedule. If scheduled services are not provided,
Management shall bring it to GSA\'s attention and request that GSA take
corrective action.

\(6\) **Local Negotiations**. The parties shall negotiate at the local
level on the operation and placement of vending machines and
concessions, subject to provisions of the Randolph-Shephard Act.

**Section 45.06 - Safety**.

\(1\) **Existence of Hazards**. The Department shall coordinate with GSA
to assure that the Department does not knowingly move employees into
areas which have been assessed by the Department and GSA to be hazardous
to health in accordance with OSHA standards and EPA guidelines, where
applicable. If a hazard is determined, based upon the assessment, the
Department shall coordinate with GSA to develop a comprehensive
abatement plan.

\(2\) **Correcting Hazards**. When safety or health hazards are
identified within space occupied by the Department, the Department shall
request corrective action by GSA in accordance with Section 26.08 of the
HUD/AFGE National Agreement. If GSA does not take action to correct the
safety or health hazard within an appropriate time, the Department shall
correct the hazard using alternative means.

\(3\) **Responsibility for Safety and Health of Employees**. The parties
recognize that the cooperation of GSA, lessors, contractors, and others
are necessary in order to assure a safe, healthful working environment.
Nevertheless, the ultimate responsibility for safety and health rests
with Management.

\(4\) **Security**. The Department shall coordinate with GSA to assure
that Government-owned or leased buildings are provided appropriate
security.

\(5\) **Floor Loading Certifications**. Floor loading certifications
shall be executed by a properly licensed engineer and shall, upon
request, be requested from GSA and furnished to the Union.

**Section 45.07 - Moving of Employee Work Stations**.

\(1\) **Minimizing Disruptions**. Space adjustments shall be implemented
in such a way as to minimize disruption to employees.

**Section 45.08 - Notification to Union of Space Change**. When
Management makes a decision to implement a space change, it shall notify
the Union in accordance with Article 5 of the HUD/AFGE Agreement. The
Union shall be advised of the implementation schedule and, upon request,
shall be informed of Management\'s plans for the implementation of the
move. The Union shall be advised throughout the planning and
implementation process after a decision has been made. Local mid-term
bargaining relating to space changes shall not conflict with the Statute
or the provisions of this Agreement.

**Section 45.09 - Information Requested by the Union**. Upon written
request, management shall provide the Union with:

\(1\) Copies of the Building Lease Agreement and all Addenda, if
available.

\(2\) HUD\'s Request for Space, SF-81, and floor plans with detailed
specifications.

\(3\) A copy of the Quarterly Building Services Report and the
Consolidated Geographic Area Report on Building Services. These reports
shall be provided to the Union\'s Principal Geographic Area
representatives, rather than to each Local.

\(4\) Any other material necessary to provide the Union with complete
information on a space move.