Article 15

Within-Grade Increases

Section 1. General

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5335 and 5 CFR 531, an employee is entitled to receive a

within-grade increase subject to completion of the appropriate waiting period and

a determination that the employee’s work is of an acceptable level of competence.

Such determination will be made in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Section 2. Advance Notice

Employees will be notified thirty (30) days before their within-grade increase is

due.

Section 3. When Performance is Less than Acceptable

a. The basis for a determination of acceptable level of competence will

generally be the employee’s rating of record.

b. Whenever the supervisor determines that the employee’s work is not

"acceptable," the supervisor shall follow the provisions of Article 14.

c. No employee shall receive a negative determination without first being

provided with an opportunity to improve as provided for in Article 14.

Section 4. Negative Determination

a. When a determination is made that an employee’s work is not of an

acceptable level of competence (negative determination), the employee will

be notified in writing, as soon as possible after completion of the waiting

period:

(1) Of the basis for the negative determination;

(2) Of the employee’s right to secure reconsideration of the negative

determination; and

(3) Of the time limits within which the employee may request

reconsideration.

b. Employees in the bargaining unit may be represented by Local 12 at any

stage of the reconsideration process.

Section 5. Effect of Change of a Negative Determination

When a negative determination is changed after reconsideration or through the

negotiated grievance procedure, the change supersedes the negative

determination. The effective date of the within-grade increase is the date on

which the within-grade increase would have otherwise become due.