VIII. OTHER EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

A. The Committee agrees that it will not interfere with the right of an employee to become a member of the Union and agrees that there shall be no discrimination, restraint, coercion, or other interference against any employee because of his or her membership in the Union.

B. The Union agrees that it will not interfere with the rights of an employee to abstain from becoming a member of the Union.

C. The provisions of this agreement shall be applied to all employees regardless of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status, except in those limited circumstances permitted by law.

D. An employee shall be entitled to request that a representative of the Union be present to advise and/or represent him or her during a disciplinary conference or hearing relating to discipline of the employee.

E. Employees who are required to be present at grievance hearings as witnesses shall not be subject to any loss of compensation or benefits attendant their appearance

F. In accordance with law, an employee shall have the right, upon request, to review the contents of his or her personnel file. An employee may have a representative of the Union accompany him or her during such review. Other examination of an employee's files shall be limited to persons authorized by the superintendent. No material shall be placed in an employee's personnel file unless the employee shall have the right to make written response or notation to any material in his her personnel file. All documents, communications, and records dealing with the processing of a grievance may be filed separately from the personnel files of the employee.