12.1 State Rights
A. Except for those rights which are abridged or limited by this Agreement, all rights are reserved to the State.
B. Consistent with this Agreement, 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 thereto, 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 Agreement provided that any such rule shall be uniformly applied to all affected employees and those similarly situated.
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 entitlement of State Civil Service employees provided by Article VII of the State Constitution or by-laws and rules enacted thereto.