D. Employee and Labor Relations

1.   Authority

1.1   State law (RSA 187-A:16 I, II, III, V, VI and XVI) authorizes the Board of Trustees to hire, employ and compensate such personnel as are needed to provide a well-coordinated system of public higher education.

1.2   The Board of Trustees shall retain the authority to approve any proposed contract between the Board and duly authorized collective bargaining agents representing USNH faculty or staff.

2.   Delegation of Authority

2.1   The Board of Trustees shall delegate to the Employee Relations Committee the direction and oversight of labor relations and the establishment of bargaining parameters.

2.2   The Employee Relations Committee shall report from time to time on an as-needed basis to the Board of Trustees on the status of any labor negotiations.

2.3   The Board of Trustees delegates to the Chancellor, in consultation with the Employee Relations Committee, the authority to determine labor negotiations strategy, adopt appropriate policy and communication methods, appoint representatives to the negotiating team, and establish a means for contract administration and grievance handling.

2.4   The Board of Trustees also delegates on with the Administrative Board, the authority to establish an employee relations policy which shall include compliance with all state and federal laws. Components of such employee relations policy will include statements on drug-free workplace, safety, right-to-know, non-smoking, wellness, nepotism, conflict of interest, grievance and complaint resolution, personnel files, contagious diseases, political activities, and nondiscrimination, as well as other working condition issues.

3.   Reporting

3.1   Any changes in Board of Trustee policy shall be recommended by the Personnel Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees.

3.2   Any changes in University System policy approved by the Administrative Board, and/or any changes (other than those covered by section 3.3 below) in campus policy approved by the Chief Executive Officer shall be reported to the Personnel Committee. These changes shall be effective with the date of approval by the Administrative Board, unless later rejected or redirected by the Personnel Committee.

3.3   Any changes to University System policy which represent a conceptual or philosophical change shall be presented, as appropriate to the Personnel Committee or the Employee Relations Committee of the Board of Trustees for review and ratification.