Each department or agency shall eliminate or reduce to the lowest level possible all hazards, physical hardships, and working conditions of an unusual nature. When such action does not overcome the unusual nature of the hazard, physical hardship , or working condition, an environmental differential is warranted. Even though an environmental differential is authorized, there is a responsibility on the part of a department or agency to initiate continuing positive action to eliminate danger and risk which contribute to or cause the hazard, physical hardship, or working condition of an unusual nature. The existence of environmental differentials is not intended to condone work practices that circumvent safety laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 1:

The parties acknowledge that the current environmental pay differential system is outdated and inherently complex. As such, the parties agree that the ongoing Class and Compensation Reform shall examine and address the appropriateness of increased base wages for employees who are exposed to increased environmental risks in lieu of payment for an environmental differential. Until such time as the increase in base pay is addressed and, if during the term of this contract, mutually agreed upon, the parties will continue to observe the applicable law, the terms of this Article, as well as the provisions of the District Personal Manual (DPM), to the extent that those DPM terms are not in conflict with this Article.

SECTION 2:

Environmental differentials are paid for exposure to (1) a hazard of an unusual nature which could result in significant injury, illness, or death, such as on a high structure when the hazard is not practically eliminated by protective facilities or an open structure when adverse conditions exist, e.g. darkness, lightning, steady rain, snow, sleet, ice, or high wind velocity; (2) a physical hardship of an unusual nature under circumstances which cause significant physical discomfort in the form of nausea, or skin, eye, ear or nose irritation, or conditions which cause abnormal soil of body or clothing, etc., and where such distress or discomfort is not practically eliminated.

SECTION 3:

Wage Grade (WG) employees as listed in Chapter 11B, Appendix C of the DPM and any other employee including District Service (DS) employees as determined pursuant to Section 4 of this Article and Chapter 11B, Subpart 10.6 of the DPM are eligible for environmental differentials.

SECTION 4:

Environmental differential authorization requests may be initiated by a department or agency, a labor organization, or an eligible employee. Such requests shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11B, Subpart 10.6 of the DPM.

SECTION 5:

Employees eligible for environmental differential pay under the terms of this Agreement shall be compensated as follows. The following categories shall be defined in accordance with Chapter 11B, Appendix B of the DPM: