F:\Labor Contracts\AFSMCE_DPW\CONTRACT_BLUEAFSCMEMOU2.doc\\FTWPMAIN\ASST MANAGER\Labor Contracts\AFSMCE_DPW\CONTRACT_BLUEAFSCMEMOU2.docF:\Labor Contracts\AFSMCE_DPW\CONTRACT_BLUEAFSCMEMOU2.doc
Last printed 08/15/00 12:59 PM08/15/00 12:59 PM08/09/00 3:45 PM
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
381 - 1 - 03/16/0502/20/0409/26/0008/22/0008/15/00
ARTICLE 1
RECOGNITION
A. The following titles constitute the bargaining unit, until such time as the parties agree to any additional classifications excluding, however, confidential employees, and all other employees excluded by statute N.J.S.A. 34:13A.3:
1. Foreman Central Maintenance
2. Foreman /Water
3. Foreman Signs/Signals
4. Foreman Recycling
5. Foreman Roads
6. Superintendent Roads
7. Superintendent Buildings/ Building Maintenance Supervisor
8. Superintendent Central Maintenance
9. Superintendent Water
10. Superintendent Landscape Maintenance
B. The title “employee” shall be defined to include the plural unless otherwise indicated.
C. Any gender specific references contained herein shall be deemed to include the opposite gender as well.
ARTICLE 2
DUES CHECKOFF AND AGENCY SHOP FEE
A. The Township hereby agrees to deduct from the salaries of employees covered by this Agreement dues for Union membership. Said monies, together with records regarding any corrections, shall be transmitted to the Union offices at 3635 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 1, Trenton, New Jersey 08619, by the end of the next month following the semi-monthly pay period in which the deductions were made. If there shall be any change in the rate of membership dues during the life of this agreement, the Union shall furnish to the Township written notice thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such change on stationary bearing the Union letterhead.
B. Any employee covered by this Agreement who does not choose to have dues deducted from his salary must pay a representation fee in lieu of dues to the Union. The representation fee shall be in an amount equivalent to the regular membership dues, charged by the majority representation to its own members less the cost of benefits financed through the dues, fees, and assessments, and available to or benefiting only its members but in no event shall such fee exceed eighty-five percent (85%) of the regular membership dues. The collection of such representation fee and appeal of such fee in regard to this Agreement shall be governed by N.J.S.A. 34:13A.5.5 through N.J.S.A. 34:13A-5.8.
C. The Union will provide the necessary check-off authorization forms, and deliver said forms to the designated Township officials as provided for in N.J.S.A. 52:14-15(e), as mandated.
D. The Union indemnifies, defends, and saves the Township harmless against any and all claims, demands, suits or other forms of liability that may arise out of or by reason of action taken by the Township in reliance upon the salary deduction authorization cards submitted by the Union to the Township or any action taken by the Township under all sections of this article.
ARTICLE 3
FULLY BARGAINED PROVISIONS
This contract represents complete collective bargaining and full agreement by the parties in respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment or other conditions of employment which shall prevail during the term hereof and any matters or subjects not herein covered have been satisfactorily adjusted, compromised or waived by the parties for the life of this agreement.
ARTICLE 4
MAINTENANCE OF WORK OPERATIONS
A. The Union covenants and agrees that during the term of this Agreement, neither the Union nor any person acting in its behalf will cause, authorize or support, nor will any of its members take part in any strike (i.e., the concerted failure to report for duty or willful absence of any Employee from his position or stoppage of work, or absence in whole part or in part, from the full, faithful and proper performance of the Employee’s duties of employment), work stoppage, slow-down, walk-out or other illegal job action against the Employer.
B. The Union agrees that it will make every reasonable effort to prevent its members from participating in any strike, work stoppage, slow-down or other activity aforementioned or supporting any such activity by any Employee or group of Employees of the Employer and that Union will publicly disavow each action and order all such activities to cease and desist from same immediately to and return to work, and take such other steps as may be necessary under the circumstances to bring about compliance with the Union order.
C. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to limit or restrict the Employer in its right to seek and obtain such judicial relief as it may be entitled to have in law or in equity for injunction or damages, or both, in the event of such breach by the Union or its members.
ARTICLE 5
DISCRIMINATION AND COERCION
A. The Employer and the Union agree that there shall be no discrimination against any employee because of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual preference, and physical handicap.
B. The Employer and the Union agree that all employees covered under the Agreement have the right without fear of penalty or reprisal to form, join and assist any employee organization or to refrain from any such activity. There shall be no discrimination by the Employer or the Union against any employee because of the employee’s membership or non-membership or activity or non-activity in the Union.
ARTICLE 6
UNION REPRESENTATIVE – UNION RIGHTS
A. Union officers and stewards in cooperation with the Employer shall have the right to enter upon the premises of the Employer during working hours, with no loss of pay, for the purpose of conducting normal duties related to the enforcement and policing of this Agreement, so long as such visits do not interfere with proper service to the public, and with prior notice to the Department Head or his designee, Township Manager or the Assistant Township Manager
B. Effective upon this Agreement, Union members to be designated by the Union shall be granted four (4) paid days providing these days coincide with their regularly scheduled work days, and four (4) unpaid days in the aggregate to attend Union conferences or conventions. It is further understood that these leave days are not cumulative on a year-to-year basis.
C. The Union shall request these days at least one (1) week in advance.
ARTICLE 7
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Section 1
The Employer hereby retains and reserves unto itself, without limitation, all powers, rights, authority, duties and responsibilities conferred upon and vested in it prior to the signing of this Agreement by the Laws and Constitutions of the State of New Jersey and of the United States.
A. The executive management and administrative control of its municipality, its properties and facilities, and activities of its Employees, personnel methods and means of the most appropriate and efficient manner possible as may from time to time be determined by the Employer.
B. Management's right to make reasonable rules and regulations as it may from time to time deem best for the purpose of maintaining order, safety and or the effective operation of the Department after advance notice to the Employees. No rule or regulation shall be implemented before discussing same with the Union. The Union has ten (10) business days to object to the regulation. If the Union does not object within this time frame, the rule or regulation shall be deemed acceptable and its reasonableness shall not be subject to the grievance procedure.
The township shall negotiate any item determined to be negotiable by the laws of the State of New Jersey.
C. To set rates of pay for temporary or seasonal employees.
D. To suspend, demote or take any other appropriate disciplinary actions against Employees for good and just cause according to law.
E. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Employer from contracting out any work. In doing so the Township shall maintain appropriate supervision as it deems necessary.
F. Subject to provisions of this agreement relating to Layoffs: to lay off Employees in the event of lack of funds or under conditions where continuation of such work would be inefficient and non- productive.
G. The Employer reserves the right as to all other conditions of employment not reserved to make such changes as it deems desirable and necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the Departments involved.
Section 2
In the exercise of the foregoing powers, rights, authority, duties and responsibilities of the Employer, the adoption of policies, rules, regulations and practices in the furtherance therewith, and the use of judgment and discretion in connection therewith, shall be limited only by the specific and expressed terms hereof in conformance with the laws and Constitutions of the State of New Jersey and of the United States.
Section 3
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to deny or restrict the Employer of its rights, responsibilities and authority under R.S.40A:1-1 et seq., or any national, state, county or local laws or regulations.
ARTICLE 8
PERSONNEL FILES
A. A separate personnel history file shall be established and maintained for each employee covered by this Agreement. Personnel history files are confidential records and shall only be maintained in the Township Personnel Director’s Assistant Township Manager’s office.
B. Each employee shall have the right to inspect and review his or her own individual personnel file, upon request to the Employer. The Employer recognizes and agrees to permit this review and examination at any reasonable time. Employees shall have the right to photocopy, define, explain, or object to in writing anything found in his personnel file, and this writing shall be come a part of the employee’s personnel file. Such response must occur within ten (10) days of recovery in file or be waived.
C. All personnel history files shall be carefully maintained and safeguarded.
D. Employees shall receive a copy of each derogatory or disciplinary document being placed in his or her personnel file within three (3) days. The employee shall sign off and date any document given to him, and have the right to place a written rebuttal response to any and all disciplinary documents contained in the personnel file. All warnings and minor reprimands over three (3) year old shall be deleted from the Township’s personnel file provided there are no subsequent reprimands, warnings, corrected and/or disciplinary actions of the same nature in the employee’s file. It is further understood that all major disciplinary actions will remain in the employee’s file.
E. The files maintained by the Township Personnel Director Assistant Township Manager are the official personnel files for all employees. No other official file or personnel record will be maintained. However, it is agreed that a Supervisor's reference file will be maintained for day-to-day reference.
ARTICLE 9
SAFETY
A. Members of this bargaining unit are responsible for identifying, investigating, and remediating hazardous conditions. Where such conditions are outside the scope of the members’ authority or budgeted resources, members are responsible for bringing to the attention of Township Manager recommendations for remediation of hazardous conditions. Bargaining unit members are responsible for seeing that remediation plans approved by the Township Manager are implemented in a timely fashion.
B. All Township employees are required to have a high regard for personal safety and the safety of others.
C. The Employer agrees to comply with P.E.O.S.H.A. standards for safety. In accordance with section A of this Article, bargaining unit members are responsible for ensuring that the Township complies with PEOSHA standards for safety within the units under their supervision. If the Township Manager has not acted on a remediation recommendation made by a member under section A within a reasonable period of time, the employee or the Union will give the Township Manager written notice ten (10) days prior to the employee or Union filing a complaint with P.E.O.S.H.A.
D. All members of this bargaining unit are members of the Township Safety Committee, which shall recommend, review, and enforce safety policies.
E. Failure to use safety equipment may subject the employee to disciplinary action.
ARTICLE 10
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
A. All employees hired during the term of this Agreement shall serve a probationary period of 6 months with option to extend 3 months from the date of hire. During this probationary period, the Township reserves the right to terminate a probationary employee for any reason. An employee, if terminated, shall not have recourse through the grievance procedure set forth in this Agreement.
B. A probationary employee shall be evaluated twice during any 6 month probationary period. One evaluation shall take place after 3 months of employment. The second evaluation shall take place no earlier than four weeks before the end of the probationary but at least two weeks before the end of the probationary period.
Evaluations shall document the progress of probationary employee. Employees with unsatisfactory evaluations shall be told what actions are necessary to successfully complete the evaluations period or that their probationary period will be extended. 3 months
ARTICLE 11
HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME
A. Any work performed beyond eight (8) hours in any one day of the normal work week shall be considered overtime and be compensated for at one and one-half (1 1/2) times the regular hourly rate of pay provided the employee has been in a pay status for the preceding forty (40) hours of the work week. Any work performed in excess of sixteen (16) consecutive hours in any one day of the normal work week shall be compensated for at two (2) times the regular hourly rate. Any work performed on the seventh (7) day of the employee's normal work week shall be compensated for at the rate of two (2) times the regular hourly rate of pay provided the employee has been in a pay status for the preceding work week.
B. When an employee is required to work in excess of ten (10) hours or more, he shall be granted a second one-half (1/2) hour lunch period at no loss of pay for such lunch period, and shall be granted an additional one-half (1/2) hour lunch period at no loss of pay for each five (5) hours over the above-mentioned ten (10) hours. All lunch periods relate to total time away from the job (job site). In addition, an employee who has worked ten (10) straight hours will be entitled to a supper allowance of up to ten dollars ($10.00) upon presentation of a receipt to the Employer.
C. Overtime will be distributed on a rotating seniority basis. A log book shall be maintained for the purpose of identifying individuals who have been offered overtime
D. Continuous Overtime For Emergencies- If any employee has been physically at work working at overtime rates more than 4 hours before the start of their regular shift, the employee will continue at such overtime rate until they go home. If an employee is called back less than 4 hours prior to regular shift, Section “F” will apply.
E. Call back –Employees shall receive a minimum of four (4) hours overtime at time and half when called back to work after shift. Any hours worked after midnight (non-continuous call-back situation, D & G do not apply), the employee will be entitled to one hour paid rest time for each hour worked, at the start of the next shift within the same 24 hour period.
F. Stand by pay- Effective 01-01-99 n members shall receive an annual flat rate of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for stand by duty to be paid in two installment (January and July) of each year.
G. Rest Time Leave- If an employee has worked 10 or more continuous hours, they are entitled to 10 hours of rest-time. Any portion of those 10 hours that overlap with a regular shift will be paid at straight time.
ARTICLE 12
VACATIONS
A. The vacation policy for the Bargaining Unit as established and agreed to by the Township shall be as follows: Based upon the anniversary date each member of the Bargaining Unit shall accumulate vacation benefits in accordance with the following schedule:
1. Vacation entitlement shall be accrued using the day the employee commences employment with the Township (including time accrued as a member of any other department of the Township).
2. Entitlement shall be as follows:
(a) 6 months of service – one day per full month of service .
(b) Years two (2) through four (4) – 12 days
(c) Years five (5) through eight (8) – 15 days
(d) Years nine (9) through twelve (12) – 18 days
(e) Years thirteen (13) through sixteen (16) – 21 days
(f) Years seventeen (17) and over – 24 days
Any member of the Bargaining Unit shall have the right to accumulate and carry over from year to year up to two (2) years earned vacation.
ARTICLE 13
HOLIDAYS
A. The Employer guarantees to all employees in the bargaining unit, the following holidays with full pay for eight (8) hours at the employee’s regular straight time rate of pay, although no work is performed on such days, provided said employees are in a pay status the day preceding and the next following such holiday.
New Year’s Day General Election Day
Martin Luther King’s Birthday Thanksgiving Day and Friday
after Thanksgiving
Washington’s Birthday Veteran’s Day
Good Friday 1/2 Day Christmas Eve (P.M)
Memorial Day Christmas Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
B. Employees who work on any of the above holidays shall be paid for such work at two and one-half (2-1/2) times the regular rate which shall include the holiday pay.
Definition: Unless otherwise specified within this contract, an employee shall be entitled to two and one-half (2- ½) times his or her normal rate of pay for any work performed prior to or after his or her regular scheduled work hours on a holiday.
Any employee who performs work during his or her regular schudeled work hours shall receive his holiday pay plus one and one-half times his normal rate of pay
A holiday is defined as the twenty-four (24) hour period beginning at 12:00 a.m. and ending at 11:59 p.m.
C. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it may be celebrated and/or compensated accordingly on the day preceding or the day following such holiday at the discretion of the Employer.
D. If a holiday falls within the vacation period of an employee, the employee shall receive pay for the same or an additional day of vacation at the discretion of the Employer. If the Employee is required to forfeit such holiday falling within his vacation period, he shall have the right, upon advance notice to the Employer, to refuse holiday pay and to take a work day off not during his vacation period.
ARTICLE 14
OUT OF TITLE PAY
A. Employees covered by this contract who are assigned duties higher than their classification or job description shall be compensated at the rate of 10% higher than their current salary. The compensation shall be effective immediately upon assignment of duties as described above.
ARTICLE 15
PROMOTIONS
A. No employee shall receive a pay cut on promotion.
B. All employees promoted from foreman to superintendent shall receive superintendent wages.
C. In the reduction or restoration of the working force, the rule to be followed shall be the length of service with the Employer. The employee with the least seniority shall be laid off first and in rehiring the reverse principle shall apply, namely, the last employee laid off shall be the first to be rehired.
ARTICLE 16
LEAVES
PERSONAL LEAVE
A. Each member shall be entitled to one (1) day personal leave per year.
B. Personal leave is not cumulative.
PAID SICK LEAVE
A. One (1) day paid sick leave per month shall be authorized to all employees and same shall be cumulative from year to year to a maximum of one hundred and ten (110) days. Such sick leave next preceding or next following a holiday or vacation must be substantiated by a doctor’s certificate.
1. Sick Leave Verification
a. The Township Manager may require proof of illness of an employee on sick leave, whenever such requirements appear reasonable. Abuse of sick leave shall be cause for disciplinary action.
SICK LEAVE AT RETIREMENT
A. Upon retirement or death after ten (10) years of service, the employee or his/her survivor will receive full payment for any unused accumulated sick leave up to one hundred and ten (110) days computed on the basis of final wages. For the purpose of this Section, retirement date shall be the date established by the Public Employees Retirement System. Deferred Retirement Benefit shall not count as retirement for the purposes of this Section. Any employee who is eligible to retire shall give at least twelve (12) months notice to the Employer if they desire a lump sum payment for accumulated sick leave, otherwise payment will be made in twelve (12) equal monthly installments. The Employer shall have forty-five (45) days from receipt of the employee’s formal Notice of Retirement Approval to make final computations of amount due. No payment under this Section shall affect, either by increasing or decreasing any pension or retirement benefit due the employee.
JURY DUTY LEAVE
A. An employee who is called for jury duty shall be paid his/her regular straight time rate of pay in addition to jury duty pay upon presentation of proper evidence of jury service. However, the employee shall be required to give prior notice to the Employer of his call for jury duty and shall be required to report to work if dismissed from jury duty on any day prior o 12 o’clock noon.
ARTICLE 17
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
A. By making application thirty (30) calendar days prior to the effective date, employees may apply to the Township Manager for a leave of absence without pay. Employees may be granted up to ninety (90) days of approved absence without loss or adjustment to seniority rights. However, employee shall deposit with the township funds to cover continuations to health, disability and pension benefits, if it is desired to continue benefits through the leave of absence without pay periods. Sick and vacation days will not accrue after 30 days absence without pay.
B. Maternity leave, paternity leave , leave for the adoption of a child and leave necessary for the illness of a member of an employee’s household which require the employees personal care and attention shall be in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
ARTICLE 18
MILITARY LEAVE
A. Military leave shall be granted in accordance with State and Federal law.
ARTICLE 19
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
A. Employees covered by this agreement shall be reimbursed for all professional job related licenses and professional organization memberships with the approval of the Township Manager which shall not be unreasonably denied. Any employee required to take continuing education courses to maintain his professional licenses shall be granted administrative leave time for such purpose without having the leave time charged to his vacation or personal time accumulation. Reimbursement for expenses incurred in attending continuing education units shall include the cost of accommodations and meals, with a daily maximum of $50 per day for meals.
B. All proper documentation will be required to receive reimbursement. All expenses to be reimbursed within sixty (60) calendar days.
ARTICLE 20
CAR EXPENSES/TOLLS/PARKING
A. The Township will reimburse members of the Bargaining Unit for mileage expenses while traveling on official business at a rate equal to the at current I.R.S. allowable deduction for mileage.
B. The Township will reimburse members of the Bargaining Unit for toll and parking expenses while on official business upon submission of a receipt for said expense.
ARTICLE 21
FUNERAL BENEFITS
A. Members of the Bargaining Unit shall be entitled to up to five (5) days off with pay at the straight time rate in the event of the death of a member’s spouse or child.
B. In the event of the death of a member’s parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, sister, or brother, the employee shall be entitled to up to three (3) days off with pay at the straight time rate.
C. In the event of the death of a member’s grandchild, sister-in-law, or brother-in-law, the employee shall be entitled to one (1) day off with pay at the straight time rate.
D. In the event of the death of anyone not listed above, but someone who regularly lives with a bargaining unit member, that member shall be entitled to three (3) days off with pay at the straight time rate.
E. Township reserves the right to request verification of any relationship listed above
ARTICLE 22
LAYOFF/SENORITY
A. All employees shall be given ninety (90) working days written notice prior to the effective date of any separation.
B. Employees subject to layoff shall be informed of all vacant positions in the Township. If an employee subject to layoff meets minimum qualifications for a vacant position, the employee will be interviewed. If the employee is not selected for a vacant position, the employee will receive an explanation why.
C. In lieu of layoff, an employee may displace a less senior employee in the classification currently held or in a lower classification provided the employee is qualified to perform the functions of that different job classification.
D. In the event of the elimination of a department and/or division, and a similar department and/or division is created, the seniority/layoff and recall provisions shall be adhered to.
SENORITY
A. In all applications of seniority, departmental seniority shall be given preference in vacation schedules, overtime, personal days, and work shifts where a dispute arises between two or more employees.
B.. In matters of promotion or demotion, if qualifications, abilities and fitness are equal, than the employee with the highest seniority shall prevail.
C.. The Township shall maintain an accurate, up-to-date seniority roster showing each employee’s date of hire, classification, and pay rate and shall furnish copies of same to the Union upon request.
D. The Township shall promptly advise the appropriate Union representative of any change which necessitates amendments to the seniority list.
ARTICLE 23
DISCIPLINE POLICY
TYPES
Disciplinary action or measures shall include the following: oral reprimand, written reprimand, suspension (nature to be given in writing) and discharge.
A. Oral Reprimand – Oral statement administered by Supervisor to an employee.
B. Written Reprimand– A formal statement delivered in writing by a Supervisor to an employee.
C. Suspension – The temporary separation of an employee from employment for a defined period of time with or without pay (at the discretion of the Township Manager).
D. Removal – The permanent separation of an employee from employment for cause.
OCCASIONS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Some of the infractions may include, but are not limited to:
1. Neglect of duty.
2. Sleeping while on duty.
3. Insubordination or serious breach of discipline
4. Intoxication while on duty/drinking or substance abuse during work hours.
5. Chronic or excessive absenteeism/tardiness.
6. Neglect of, or willful damage to Public Property of waste of Public Supplies.
7. The use or attempted use of one’s authority or official influence to control or modify the political action of any person in the service or engagement in any form of political activities during working hours.
8. Conduct unbecoming as an employee of the Township.
9. Commission of a Criminal Act.
10. Violation of the Drug and Alcohol Policy adopted by the Township. In which case, disciplinary actions will conform to the policy guideline.
GENERAL PROCEDURE:
When the Director of Public Works or a Supervisor believes that an employee is not performing consistent with Township policy or goals/standards, or that the employee has committed one of the above listed infractions, Director of Public Works or Supervisor should privately discuss the matter with the employee concerned in order to obtain the employee’s viewpoint.
If the matter is not serious, and the Supervisor is satisfied, the matter may then be dropped. The Supervisor should , if possible, then obtain assurance that there will not be a repetition of the incident.
Should the Supervisor consider the offense sufficiently serious to warrant formal action, the employee should be so advised, and a meeting arranged at the earliest possible date. All facts should be presented at this meeting which should, if possible, be conclusive. A written report of the meeting, and of the action taken should be placed in the employee’s personnel folder.
, The matter may be referred to the Township Manager for review and/or such action as is warranted by the facts. Any disciplinary action taken by management against an employee must be initiated within a reasonable amount of time of the alleged violation or within a reasonable amount of time management discovers the violation.
In the case of a regular suspension, it must commence within ninety (90) work days following the violation.
In the event of a serious breach of discipline, an employee may be suspended or discharged immediately.
An employee is subject to immediate termination in egregious circumstances.
IF TERMINATION FOR CAUSE:
Meet and report, per Procedure, result in recommendation to terminate.
The Township Manager will meet with the Personnel officer and the Township Attorney to discuss the recommendation.
The Township Manager will send a copy of his decision to the employee, the Union, and to the Supervisor, if other than employee.
Conference with Union and Township Manager, if Union requests.
Township Manager sends formal notice of separation.
ARTICLE 24
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
A. PURPOSE: The purpose of this procedure is to secure, at the lowest possible level, an equitable solution to any problem which may arise affecting the terms and conditions of this agreement. The parties agree that this procedure will be kept as informal as may be appropriate.
B. DEFINITION: The term grievance as used herein shall be any controversy arising over the interpretation, application, or alleged violation of the terms and conditions of this agreement.
C. STEPS OF THE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: The following constitutes the sole and exclusive method for resolving grievances between the parties covered by this agreement, and shall be followed in its entirety unless any step is waive by mutual consent.
STEP ONE:
The grievance, when it first arises, shall be taken up orally between the employee, a union representative if requested, and the Supervisor. The Supervisor shall within five (5) working days thereafter give an oral or written answer on the grievance.
STEP TWO:
If no satisfactory settlement is reached during the first informal conference, then the aggrieved shall file a grievance, in writing, with the Director of Public Works within ten (10) working days from the date of the grievance or ten (10) days from the employee’s knowledge of the potential grievance. Failure by the aggrieved to act within the specified time shall be deemed to constitute an abandonment of the grievance. The supervisor shall render a written decision within ten (10) working days from receipt of the grievance.
STEP THREE:
The Union has five (5) working days from receipt of the Step two answer, to process the grievance to Step Three, otherwise it shall be deemed withdrawn. If the grievance is filed at this step, it must be filed in writing to the Township Manager, even if filed with him at Step two. The Township Manager shall conduct a conference The Township Manager shall have ten (10) working days after the conference to submit a written decision to the Union. The above time frames may be waived by mutual agreement and confirmed in writing.
STEP FOUR:
All grievances as aforesaid between the parties that have not been satisfactorily settled after following the procedures outlined above shall, at the written request of either party, made to the other within ten (10) working days (not including Saturday or Sunday) after receiving the answer in Step Three, be referred to arbitration. If such written notice is not given within ten (10) working days (excluding Saturday and Sunday), the grievance will be deemed dropped. The demand written notice shall be filed with the Public Employment Relations Commission, PERC.
The arbitrator shall have no authority to change modify, alter, substitute, add to or subtract from the provision of this agreement. No dispute arising out of any question pertaining to the renewal of this agreement shall be subject to the Arbitration provision of the agreement.
(a) The arbitrator shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and by the applicable laws of the state of New Jersey and the United States. The arbitrator shall not have the authority to add to any amendment or supplement thereto. In rendering his written award, the arbitrator shall indicate his findings of fact and reasons for the decision. The arbitrator’s decisions shall be final and binding upon the parties subject to applicable court proceedings.
(b) Either party may direct the arbitrator to decide, as preliminary question , whether he has jurisdiction to hear and decide the matter in dispute
EXTENSIONS IN TIME: Nothing herein shall prevent the parties from mutually agreeing to extend or contract the time limits for processing the grievance at any step in the grievance procedure.
ARTICLE 25
LABOR/MANAGEMENT MEETINGS
A. The parties to this agreement agree to meet on a quarterly basis, if needed, to discuss matters of mutual concern. Either the Union or the Township may call for a meeting. The party calling for the meeting shall submit an agenda to the other party five (5) days in advance.
B. These Labor/Management meetings shall not be used to circumvent the grievance procedure and are designed to promote communication and harmonious relations between the parties.
ARTICLE 26
LONGEVITY
A. In addition to salaries and wages paid to Bargaining Unit personnel, there shall be longevity payments provided according to the table herein below, which shall be effective each year following completion of five (5) years of continuous service so long as no permanent personnel policies shall have been established by the Township and agreed upon by the Bargaining Unit. According to this table, each employee shall receive annual longevity payments based upon the following scale:
1. Upon completion of five (5) years of service ($680.00)
2. Upon completion of ten (10) ($845.00)
3. Upon completion of fifteen (15) years ($1,010.00)
4. Upon completion of twenty (20) ($1,175.00)
B. The amount authorized in the above longevity schedule shall be in addition to the basic salary established.
C. Longevity payments in accordance with the above shall be included in the members’ regularly scheduled compensation payments.
D. The years of service herein shall be determined from the date the employee commences working for the Township.
ARTICLE 27
SALARY INCREASE
A. Increase in salaries and wages paid to Bargaining Unit personnel shall be provided according to the table below:
Effective Date Increase
July 1, 1997 3%
July 1, 1998 3%
July 1, 1999 10.725%
July 1, 2000 10.725%
July 1, 2001 10.725%
Increase shall be applied to the top 1999 salary.
MECHANICS TOOL ALLOWANCE
A. Effective July 1, 2000 Central Maintenance, Superintendent and Foremen shall receive an annual allowance of $500.00 for the purchase of tools. Beginning July 1, 2001, receipts will be required to show purchase of tools in preceding year.
Stipend CPWM or College Degree
C. Effective January 1, 1999 Bargaining unit member who have obtained a bachelors or Associates degree from an accredited college or university or have obtained a Certification as Certificied Public Works Manager from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs , certification unit shall be entitled to a annual stipend of fifteen hundered dollars ($1,500.00).
ARTICLE 28
MEDICAL BENEFITS
Section 1. For the purposes of this Article, employees shall be divided into two categories:
Category A- Employees hired before January 1, 1997
Category B- Employees hired after January 1, 1997.
Section 2. For the period July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2000, employee health benefits have been an are as follows:
AVAILABLE PLANS
MEDICAL:
HMOs: Aetna US Healthcare
Cigna
HMO Blue
PPO: Horizon Blue Select
Other: HIP (prior to March 1999)
UHP (after March 1999)
PRESCRIPTION:
Horizon Blue Cross
Dental: Horizon Blue Cross (or Cigna HMO, if enrolled)
OPTICAL: $50 reimbursement per employee per annum
DISABILITY: UNUM
PAYMENTSMEDICAL:
Members hired before 01.01.95- Township pays 100% of any plan.
Members hired after 01.01.95- Township pays 100% of UHP. Employee pays difference between UHP if employee selects other plan.
PRESCRIPTION AND DENTAL:
Members hired before 01.01.95- Township pays 100%.
Members hired after 01.01.95- Township pays 80%; employee pays 20%.
DISABILITY:
Township pays 50% and all employees pay 50%.
Section 3. Effective July 1, 2000, employee health plans will be as follows.
AVAILABLE PLANS
MEDICAL:
HMO: HMO Blue, CIGNA
PPO: Horizon Blue Select
POS: Physicians Health Service Charter POS with $5 co-pay
PRESCRIPTION:
Benecard
Dental: Horizon Blue Cross, CIGNA HMO
OPTICAL: $150 reimbursement per employee family per annum
DISABILITY: UNUM
NOTE 1: If during the term of this contract the Township makes other health plans or changes to the above named plans available to other bargaining units, such plans will also be made available to the employees covered by this collective bargaining agreement.
NOTE 2: After consultation with the Union, the Township may change the vendor for any of the above named plans as long as the aggregate of services and out-of-pocket costs to the employees are equivalent or better for the employees.
PAYMENTS
MEDICAL:
Category A- Township pays 100% of any plan.
Category B- Township pays 100% of POS. Employee pays the difference between POS and other plan, if employee selects other plan.
PRESCRIPTION AND DENTAL:
Category A- Township pays 100%.
Category B- Township pays 80%; employee pays 20%.
DISABILITY:
Township pays 50% and all employees pay 50%.
Section 4.
A. The Township has established a plan under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax-free stipend under the Township ordinance to those employees who have medical coverage elsewhere and who elect not to enroll in the Township’s medical, dental, or prescription plans. Under the Section 125 plan, the employee shall receive 40% of the amount the Township would have paid for enrolling the employee in the plan or plans.
B. Effective July 1, 2000, the Township will expand its Section 125 plan to allow employees to establish flexible spending accounts to which they may contribute to pay for health and other expenses as allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Up to the amounts allowed annually under the Internal Revenue Code, employees may pay into these flexible spending accounts from their salary or wages or additionally from their stipend under sub-section A of this section. Additionally, effective July 1, 2000, under the section 125 plan any employee who elects a less expensive medical plan than the one for which they are eligible may receive 40% of the Township’s premium savings. This 40% may be placed in a flexible spending account to pay for other allowable benefits or may be paid out as provided under the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 5. Employees retiring with 25 years in the New Jersey pension system and 25 years of service to the Township may receive the medical, prescription and dental benefits for which they are eligible under this agreement. (Category A) or with 20% contribution for prescription and dental (Category B)
Employees in both categories (A and B) retiring with 25 years in the pension system and 20 years of service to the Township may enroll in the POS at no cost to the retiree, as well as receive prescription and dental benefits in accordance with their Category (A or B)
ARTICLE 29
CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
Section 1.
(a) Effective July 1, 2000, clothing allowance- $500/year; cleaning allowance- $300/year; boot allowance- $100/pair to replace boots used on the job. Requests for reimbursement for purchase of boots must be supported by (1) dated receipt for purchase of old boots (2) old boots to be examined for reasonable wear and tear, and (3) receipt for purchase of new boots.
(b) The Employer will provide gloves, rubber boots, rain gear and hats as required.
(c) The Employer has adopted a uniform policy which requires clean and good condition clothing to be worn by all employees in the bargaining unit or the employees’ shall be required to leave work without pay unless extraordinary reasons are present. In addition, progressive discipline may be needed in the event of failure to comply with the uniform policy.
(d) The Township shall provide as its sole expense other protective clothing and equipment which in the opinion of the Employer is necessary to perform a job safely.
(e) Shields or goggles- Employees who habitually wear prescription glasses will not be required to operate machinery or other devices where safety glasses are normally required unless they can adequately be protected by the provided safety shields or goggles.
(f) Any employee failing to use the safety equipment provided will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
ARTICLE 30
TERM OF AGREEMENT
This contract shall be in full force and effect retroactively from July 1, 1997 – June 30, 2002 and shall continue until such time as the parties reach a new agreement.
The Blue Collar Supervisors shall, at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of this contract, which shall be on June 30, 2002, submit in writing its intention to open negotiations and shall include as part of said notice a list of all items which it intends to negotiate, subject to any determination during the interim period, which shall be between the date of ratification of this contract and the expiration date of same and any changes mutually agreed to by the Parties hereto.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties have thereunto set their hands and seals at the Township of Franklin, New Jersey on this 26 day of September , 2000
TOWNSHIP OF FRANKLIN
By: __________________________________________ _____________________________
UPENDRA CHIVUKULA, MAYOR DATE
ATTEST: _____________________________________ ______________________________
JEAN C. PELLICANE, TOWNSHIP CLERK DATE
AFSCME LOCAL 2426
By:____________________________ _______________________________________
AFSCME REPRESENTATIVE DATE
ATTES T:_______________________________ ___________________________________
DATE
RECOGNITION 1
DUES CHECKOFF AND AGENCY SHOP FEE 2
FULLY BARGAINED PROVISIONS 3
MAINTENANCE OF WORK OPERATIONS 4
DISCRIMINATION AND COERCION 5
UNION REPRESENTATIVE – UNION RIGHTS 6
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS 7
PERSONNEL FILES 9
SAFETY 10
PROBATIONARY PERIOD 11
HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME 12
VACATIONS 13
HOLIDAYS 14
OUT OF TITLE PAY 15
PROMOTIONS 16
LEAVES 17
LEAVES OF ABSENCE 19
MILITARY LEAVE 20
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 21
CAR EXPENSES/TOLLS/PARKING 22
FUNERAL BENEFITS 23
LAYOFF/SENORITY 24
DISCIPLINE POLICY 25
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 27
LABOR/MANAGEMENT MEETINGS 29
LONGEVITY 30
SALARY INCREASE 31
MEDICAL BENEFITS 32
PAYMENTS 32
PAYMENTS 33
CLOTHING ALLOWANCE 35
TERM OF AGREEMENT 36
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
PROPOSAL FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
AFSCME Blue Collar Supervisors
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