Article 4
State Rights

     a.   Except for those rights which are abridged or limited by this
          Contract, all rights are reserved to the State.
     b.   Consistent with this Contract, the rights of the State shall
          include, but not be limited to, the right to determine the mission 
          of its constituent departments, commissions, and boards; to
          maintain efficiency of State operation; to set standards of
          service; to determine, consistent with Article VII of the
          Constitution, the Civil Service Act, and rules pertaining hereto,
          the procedures and standards of selection for employment and
          promotion, layoff, assignment, scheduling and training; to
          determine the methods, means and personnel by which State
          operations are to be conducted; to take all necessary action to
          carry out its mission in emergencies; to exercise control and
          discretion over the merits, necessity, or organization of any
          service or activity provided by law or executive order.  The State
          has the right to make reasonable rules and regulations pertaining
          to employees consistent with this Contract.
     c.   This Article is not intended to, nor may it be construed to,
          contravene the spirit or intent of the merit principle in State
          employment nor limit the rights of State Civil Service employees
          provided by Article VII of the State Constitution or bylaws and
          rules enacted thereto.  Any matters which concern the application
          of the merit principle to State employees are exclusively within
          the purview of those processes provided by Article VII of the
          State Constitution or bylaws and rules enacted thereto.