MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MARYLAND LEGAL AID AND THE MARYLAND LEGAL AID WORKERS UNION, NOLSW, UAW, LOCAL 2320, AS TO GRIEVANCES AND MATTERS THAT HAVE ARISEN DURING THE PANDEMIC Preamble In keeping with the parties? mutual and ongoing efforts to promote a cooperative relationship between labor and management, the parties have entered into this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The parties acknowledge that the present pandemic presents numerous challenges and that the guidance offered and operating requirements imposed by government authorities may be subject to change with minimal advance notice. One purpose of this MOU is to memorialize the parties? mutual commitment to meet the needs of clients served by MLA, while taking reasonable steps to provide a safe workplace. The parties further acknowledge that entering into this MOU cannot be construed as a waiver of the management rights afforded it in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Likewise, the parties acknowledge that the Union does not waive its right to assert grievances regarding any such matter where it believes a violation of the CBA has occurred. This MOU is intended to provide clarity and progress so that the parties may continue working together in an effort to achieve the goals of MLA. To the extent that this MOU may be considered a settlement of pending grievances, it is not intended to modify the terms ofthe CBA and shall not serve as precedent for resolving any other grievances which may be filed. Maryland Legal Aid recognizes that working remotely can continue during the pandemic to assure the health and safety of all staff and clients and to allow offices/units to maintain staffing levels of up to 50%. Maryland Legal Aid and the Maryland Legal Aid Workers Union, NOLSW, UAW, Local 2320, agree that during this time of the pandemic, Maryland Legal Aid?s work must continue to serve clients, and Maryland Legal Aid must support its employees, and to the extent possible, keep its employees safe and healthy. Specific Points of Agreement For the Montgomery County Maryland Legal Aid office and for all offices and units of Maryland Legal Aid, there is no requirement that in?office staffing must be maintained at 50%. If possible, offices should not have more than 50% of its personnel physically in the office at any given time. This Guideline will be clarified in writing through documents collateral to the Re?Opening Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions). Page 1 of 3 Maryland Legal Aid offices should be staffed to ensure that there is intake coverage for each regularly scheduled intake day in order to accommodate walk?in and emergency intake. In keeping with Maryland Legal Aid?s client?focused approach to service delivery, prospective clients who come to Maryland Legal Aid?s offices on scheduled walk-in intake days and who qualify for services will be provided legal services to the extent possible at the time oftheir visits. While staffing in each office should be kept to persons scheduled to be present in the office, legal staff may have to be present on days they are scheduled to work remotely, to prepare for court or to meet other case related obligations. To ensure each person scheduled to be in the office is aware of when other persons will be physically present in the office, all staff attendance will be recorded in advance on SharePoint or Teams, or a similar scheduling platform so it is visible to all. This function will be overseen and managed by the Supervisor(s) of the office. Assignments of when staff must be present in the office will be determined by the Supervisor(s) ofthe office/unit. Supervisors retain the right to adjust the schedules should the need arise and to assign ?back?up? staff to be in the office should a staff member assigned to be in the office not be able to meet that obligation. The back?up staff should be prepared to be available to come into the office if a staff member who is scheduled to be in the office cannot do so. To the extent possible, supervisory staff will be physically in the office to provide supervision to staff in the office and working remotely. Should supervisors not be able to be in the office because of work-related duties, they will make themselves available telephonically or virtually. Management will appoint substitute supervision should a supervisor assigned to an office/unit be away from the office on personal leave. Maryland Legal Aid recognizes that Supervisors have flexibility in scheduling staff to meet the needs of the office and the clients and that staff can adjust their daily schedules in accordance with the terms and conditions of Article 17 (Hours of Work) Sections 1 and 2 ofthe CBA. Maryland Legal Aid management will continue its efforts to fill legal staff vacancies in offices as quickly as possible. Page 2 of 3 Agreed this day of August, 2020 Maryland Legal Aid Executive Director Maryland Legal Aid Workers Union, UAW, Local 2320 By: President Page 3 of 3