January 2, 2004

Dear Mr. Painter;

Pursuant to Article 4, Section 7, Surveys and Questionnaires, the Agency moves to notify the union of a (verbal) survey that will be conducted with selected field inspection personnel.

Beginning January 5, 2004, the Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review (OPEER will be conducting onsite surveys with in plant inspection personnel, to include on and off line inspectors where appropriate.  The surveys, in the form of one on one interviews, are part of an effort to review establishment performance and inspection operations.  The reviews are formally referred to as DCS (District Case Study).  As part of the study, OPEER will also be observing inspection personnel carrying out their responsibilities.  Only inspection personnel working in establishments selected for study are potential interviewees.

The purpose of DCS is to assist the agency n proactively identifying problems and issues that can be prevented or resolved at an early stage to promote effectiveness, efficiency, and consistency of inspection operations.  Interviews and observations will be conducted to the extent that they support the study’s purpose.  The feedback received from specific interviewees will be maintained as confidential.  No information identifying any individual will be included in the final report.

Also pursuant to Article 4, the results of the survey involving conditions of employment will be shared with the Union.  The Union will be notified if any changes to conditions of employment will be made based on the results of the survey.

Sincerely,

cc: Sharon Pendergast, LERD

       Douglas Kent, OPEER