AGREEMENT
Between the
FREEHOLD REGIONAL BUS DRIVERS' ASSOCIATION
and the
BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF
FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS
the County of Monmouth
New Jersey
JULY 1, 2003 - JUNE 30, 2006
PREAMBLE
THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE AND ENTERED INTO on this 1st day of July, 2003, by and between the FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION, (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") and the FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS' ASSOCIATION (hereinafter referred as the "Association"). (The term "employee(s)" when used shall mean bus driver.)
The term of this Agreement is from July 1, 2003 to
June 30, 2006.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Karen Martin, President Patricia Horvath, President
Freehold Regional High School Freehold Regional High School
Bus Drivers' Association Board of Education
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
ARTICLE I: PRINCIPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ARTICLE II: RECOGNITION. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ARTICLE III: MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT AND
SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . 3-5
ARTICLE IV: GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE. . . . . . . . . 5-6
ARTICLE V: EMPLOYEE RIGHTS. . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
ARTICLE VI: ASSOCIATION RIGHTS AND PRIVELEGES. . 9
ARTICLE VII: MANAGEMENT RIGHTS. . . . . . . . . . 10
ARTICLE VIII: SALARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
ARTICLE IX: ASSIGNMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
ARTICLE X: FAIR DISMISSAL PROCEDURE . . . . . . 17
ARTICLE XI: EMPLOYEE FACILITIES. . . . . . . . . 17
ARTICLE XII: SICK LEAVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-18
ARTICLE XIII: OTHER LEAVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-21
ARTICLE XIV: WORK YEAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
ARTICLE XV: SENIORITY AND JOB SECURITY . . . . . 21-23
ARTICLE XVI: CONDUCT OF DRIVERS . . . . . . . . . 23
ARTICLE XVII: CONTINUITY OF OPERATION. . . . . . . 23-24
ARTICLE XVIII: REPRESENTATION FEE . . . . . . . . . 24-25
ARTICLE XIX: MISCELLANEOUS. . . . . . . . . . . . 25-27
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Section 1. A free and open exchange of views between
the Board and the Association.
Section 2. The Association recognizes the importance of
a grievance procedure for the prompt
resolutions of disputes which may occur.
Section 3. The provisions of this Agreement are binding
to the Board and the Association.
Section 4. This Agreement will supersede all previous Agreements.
ARTICLE II: RECOGNITION
Section 1. The Board agrees to and hereby does recognize the Association as the sole and exclusive negotiation agent for the purpose of collective negotiations in any and all matters relating to negotiable terms and conditions of employment on behalf of all regular full-time school bus driver employees, except for probationary employees pursuant to Article XV.
Section 2. There shall be no discrimination as to sex
ARTICLE III: MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT AND
NEGOTIATION OF SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT
Section 1. Before the Board adopts a change in policy which affects negotiable terms and conditions of employment as specified in this Agreement, the Board will notify the Association, in writing, that it is considering such a change. The Association shall have the right to negotiate
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with the Board for a mutually acceptable change in said policy. Any agreement reached with the Board shall be reduced to writing, signed by the Board and the Association, and become an addendum to this Agreement.
Section 2. Not later than December 1 of the year for contract renewal, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Board agrees to initiate negotiation with the Association over a Successor Agreement in accordance with the procedure set forth herein, in good-faith and effort on both sides, to reach continuing agreement, not only on salaries and other conditions of employment, but also on other matters of personnel policy and relationships which may then be of mutual concern and interest. By the same date, the Association agrees to present to the Board its proposals for the Successor Agreement. Initial contract proposals from each side shall be submitted in writing. Any agreement so negotiated shall apply to all members of the negotiating unit and shall be reduced to writing and signed by all parties.
Section 3. During negotiation the party making the proposals shall submit such proposals in writing to the other party. Receipt of a proposal shall be acknowledged in writing, within five (5) days. Negotiations shall commence with a meeting at a mutually satisfactory place within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a proposal unless the Board and the Association mutually agree to an extension of time. During negotiation the Board and the Association shall present relevant data, exchange points of view, and make proposals and counter proposals. Either party may, if it so desires, utilize the services of outside consultants and may call upon professional and lay representatives to assist in the negotiations.
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Section 4. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on a successor contract, the request for a mediator shall be made in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Public Employment Relations Commission.
Section 5. Whenever members of the bargaining unit are mutually scheduled by the parties hereto to participate, during working hours, in conferences, meeting, or in negotiations respecting the collective bargaining agreement, they will suffer no loss of pay.
ARTICLE IV: GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Section 1. Definition
Grievance shall mean a complaint by an employee or employees arising as to the intent and application of this Agreement.
Section 2. Procedures
1. (a) Failure at any step of this procedure to
communicate the decision on a grievance
within the specified time limits shall
permit the aggrieved employee to proceed
to the next step. Failure at any step of this procedure to appeal a grievance to the next step within the specified time limits shall be deemed to be acceptance of the decision rendered at that step.
(b) It is understood that employees shall,
during the pendency of any grievance,
continue to observe all assignments and
applicable rules and regulations of the
Board until such grievance has been fully
determined.
2. Any employee or group and its representative
who has a grievance shall discuss it first
with his/her immediate superior in an attempt
to resolve the matter informally at that
level.
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3. If the grievance is not settled satisfactorily
in fifteen (15) days time, it shall be reduced
to writing. The supervisor shall communicate
his/her decision in writing within fifteen
(15) days of receipt of the written grievance.
4. The employee, no later than fifteen (15)
school days after receipt of the written
answer, may appeal the decision to the
Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent
or his representative and the Association
President shall attempt to resolve the matter
within a period not to exceed ten (10) school
days. The Superintendent or his
representative shall communicate his decision
in writing to the employee and the
Association.
5. If the grievance is not resolved to the
grievant's or the Association's satisfaction,
the grievant or the Association no later than
five (5) school days after receipt of the
Superintendent's decision, may request a
review by the Board of Education. The
grievance shall be considered jointly by
the Association Executive Committee and
the Board, or such sub committees as either
shall designate.
The Board may, at its option, hold a hearing with the employee or employees and the Association shall answer such grievance in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt.
6. The Association and the Board may settle any
grievance reduced to writing at any step so long as such settlement does not discriminate against the employees involved in any manner prohibited by law (or deprive them of any rights available to other members of the unit).
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ARTICLE V: EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
Section 1. Pursuant to Chapter 303, Public Laws 1968, the Board hereby agrees that every employee of the Board shall have the right freely to organize,
join and support the Association and its affiliates for the purpose of engaging in collective negotiations and other concerted activities of mutual aid and protection. As a duly elected body exercising governmental power under the laws of the State of New Jersey, the Board undertakes and agrees that it shall not directly or indirectly discourage or deprive or coerce any employee in the enjoyment of any rights conferred by Chapter 303, Public Laws 1968 or other laws of New Jersey or the Constitutions of New Jersey and the United States; that it shall not discriminate against any employee with respect to hours, wages, or any terms or conditions of employment by reason of his/her membership in the Association and its affiliates, his/her participation in any activities of the Association and its affiliates, collective negotiation with the Board, or his/her institution of any grievance, complaint or proceeding under this Agreement or otherwise with respect to any terms or conditions of employment.
Section 2. Nothing, contained herein, shall be construed to deny or restrict to any employee such rights as he/she may have under New Jersey school laws or other applicable laws and regulations. The rights granted to employees hereunder shall be deemed to be in addition to those provided elsewhere.
Section 3. No employee shall be reduced in rank or compensation without just cause.
Section 4. Whenever any employee is required to appear before the Superintendent or his designee, Board or any committee member, representative or agent thereof concerning any matter which could adversely affect
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the continuation of employment or the salary or any increments pertaining thereto, then he/she shall be given prior written notice of the reasons for such meeting or interview and shall be entitled to have a representative of the Association present to advise him/her during such meeting or interview.
Section 5a. SAVE HARMLESS ACT 18A:16-6
"Whenever any civil action has been or shall be brought against any person holding any office position, or employment under the jurisdiction of any Board of Education, for any act or omission arising out of and in the course of the performance of the duties of such office, position, employment, the board shall defray all costs of defending such action, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses, together with costs of appeal, if any, and shall save harmless and protect such person from any financial loss resulting there from, and said Board may arrange for and maintain appropriate insurance to cover all such damages, losses, and expenses."
Section 5b. Should any criminal action be instituted against any such person for any such act or omission and should such proceeding be dismissed or result in a final disposition in favor of such person, the Board shall reimburse him for the cost of defending such proceeding, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses of the original hearing or trial and all appeals.
Section 5c. Employees who are charged with violating any laws or regulations in connection with their duties that are determined to be the employee’s responsibility, i.e., speeding or other motor vehicle violations, or failure to properly inspect vehicle prior to use, shall be responsible for both the costs of their own defense and any fines to which they may be subjected.
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ARTICLE VI: ASSOCIATION RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
Section 1. The Board agrees to furnish to the Association in response to reasonable requests from time to time annual financial reports and audits, agendas and minutes of all public Board meetings at the same time they are made available to the public, and names and addresses of all bus drivers.
Section 2. Whenever any representative of the Association or any bus driver participates during working hours in negotiation, grievance proceedings, conference, or meetings, he/she shall suffer no loss in pay.
Section 3. The Association and its representatives shall have the right to use school buildings at all reasonable hours for meetings. The principal of the building in question shall be notified in advance of the time and place of all such meetings.
Section 4. Adequate bulletin board space shall be reserved in each work location in a place to be designated by the supervisor at such work location, readily accessible to all members of the bargaining units, for the posting of Association business. All such notices and material shall bear the signature of a responsible Association official or shall clearly indicate that its issuer or publisher is the Association. The bulletin board space shall be identified with the name of the Association. The authorized representative of the Association shall be the sole person empowered to post these materials on that board.
Section 5. The rights and privileges of the Association and its representatives as set forth in this Agreement, shall be granted only to the Association as the exclusive representative of the employees, and to no other organization except when such other organization has been appointed as the exclusive collective negotiations representative by the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) or by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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ARTICLE VII: MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Section 1. The Board of Education reserves to itself sole jurisdiction and right, in compliance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and the rulings of the State Commissioner of Education to hire, assign, promote and direct employees covered by this Agreement, or to take disciplinary action against its employees for just cause, to direct school operations, and to take whatever other actions may be necessary to accomplish the mission of the school district except as may be specifically provided by the language of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII: SALARY
Section 1. All bus drivers will be paid for their contracted hours in 20 equal paychecks from September 1st through June 30th of each contract year.
Section 2. All two trip drivers under contract shall receive ½ of four trip driver's salary according to proper salary step guide.
Section 3. Annual increments will be awarded as per salary guide until top pay is achieved.
Section 4. Extra compensation:
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
Field $14.00 $14.25 $14.50
trips: per per per
hour hour hour
(Meal ticket is $6.50 after 8 hours, additional $5.00 after 12 hours, additional $5.00 after 16 hours, to be paid out of petty cash funds or voucher.)
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RUN 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
Early $16.00 $17.00 $18.00
Late $16.00 $17.00 $18.00
If early activity is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice given to driver, he/she will be paid if he/she must be present for late activity.
The income from activity runs would be included in the driver's pension.
Section 5. Effective September 1, 1997, each driver
must utilize the District's designated
physician for the bi-annual renewal bus
driver's license physical. The total cost
of the physical examination shall be
incurred by the District.
Section 6. The salary schedule for members of the
bargaining unit shall be set forth below:
STEP 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
1 15,812.00 16,199.00 16,896.00
2 16,214.00 16,611.00 17,325.00
3 16,616.00 17,023.00 17,755.00
4 17,018.00 17,435.00 18,184.00
5 17,420.00 17,847.00 18,614.00
6 17,877.00 18,315.00 19,103.00
7 18,392.00 18,842.00 19,652.00
8 18,963.00 19,426.00 20,261.00
9 19,593.00 20,071.00 20,934.00
10 20,737.00 21,245.00 22,159.00
11 22,406.00 22,952.00 23,939.00
Section 7. Longevity increments will be awarded as follows:
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
After 10 years 1,288 1,288 1,288
After 15 years 1,538 1,538 1,538
After 20 years 1,788 1,788 1,788
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Section 8. A. The Board shall pay in full for all
full-time employees and his/her family, health insurance coverage, C.O.B. children to age 23 in household and prevailing fee. The Board of Education shall have the right to change insurance carriers provided the benefits provided will not be diminished by such a change. Two trip drivers are not included in coverage.
B. The Board will allow retired employees to
remain part of the Group Plan, if such employees pay the premiums.
C. Commencing on July 1, 2003 and continuing to
June 30, 2006, the Board of Education during the terms of this contract shall continue to furnish a New Jersey Dental Insurance coverage; usual and customary dental plan containing the same benefits as previously provided without any cost consideration by the employee.
D. Where both wife and husband are employed in
the District, duplicate coverage on health and dental insurance shall be provided; however, the Board of Education shall provide coordination of benefits coverage in those instances.
E. Upon receipt of notification that insurance
coverage is available to retiring employee.
It is the responsibility of retiring
individual to confer with the Assistant Board
Secretary, or responsible person, regarding
continuing benefits.
F. Effective July 1, 2001, employees will have
Vision/eye care as part of health care
provided by the board. Effective
July 1, 2003, family coverage will be added.
G. The Board of Education may, in its sole
discretion, change the carriers providing
the benefits set forth in this Agreement,
provided that there is no reduction in
benefits.
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Section 9. A. In the event of staggered, doubled or any
other change in the current hours of school
instruction, the parties agree to re-
negotiate any additional runs or other
economic impact resulting from such change.
B. For any six run package which included an
activity, drivers shall be able to select the
activity separate from any specific contract
Section 10. The District shall reimburse each driver for their renewal of fingerprint processing conducted by the State of New Jersey, Office of Criminal
History Review. Reimbursement shall be provided upon receiving proof of payment by the driver to the State of New Jersey and the filing of a voucher. This shall not apply to the initial fingerprint processing by the driver, but is limited only to renewals, as required by the State.
ARTICLE IX: ASSIGNMENTS
Section 1. A. Awards of bus and van routes shall be made by
strict seniority of drivers, starting with the most senior driver and working down the list, except for special need student runs which shall require approval of the transportation administrator prior to award of the run. Extra van shuttles and runs, to the extent known will be given out by seniority no later than October 15th of the school year.
B. Head bus driver position shall be posted when
said position becomes available. Anyone interested may submit a resume stating qualifications. The head driver shall be given priority, regardless of seniority, for all routes, however, the assignment to the route shall be at the sole discretion of the Board.
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C. If a bus contract becomes available during
the school year it should be offered to the next van driver, with a contract, who already has requested to switch type of vehicle driven. If none are available a sub will be offered the contract without guarantee of a bus contract the following year.
D. Drivers wishing to switch type of vehicle
they drive (bus to van; van to bus) shall sign up in April. In June, using the list from April, drivers shall be permitted to, subject to Board approval, change vehicle type when selecting runs by seniority.
Section 2. A. All van, bus activities and bus shuttles
will be picked in September on the first
half (1/2) day of Freehold Regional High
School District's calendar, immediately
following the runs for the day. All
interested drivers shall be there, or send a
written note as to what they want. Picking
will be done by strict seniority. There will
be a sign-up sheet for anyone not getting an
activity, in case one becomes available
during the school year. If you refuse an
activity at this time, your name will be
added to the end of the original list
according to seniority. The Association
will oversee the activity picking, subject to
the approval of the Transportation Director
or his designee.
B. Activities shall not be split or shared when
full time drivers are available.
C. If a contract driver is out on extended
illness/leave, for more than five (5)
consecutive school days, their activity
and/or shuttle will be given to the next
signed up contract driver until the original
contract driver comes back.
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D. When any activity driver relinquishes his/her
activity for the school year, drivers from
that same school may switch activities among
themselves on a seniority basis. Remaining
activity runs will be posted for the next
available contract driver.
E. In the event that any activity driver
relinquishes his/her activity or shuttle within thirty (30) school days from his/her selection of that activity or shuttle, the driver shall be prohibited from selecting any activities for the balance of that school year as well as the entire following school year except for documented medical reasons.
F. In the event an activity is deleted from any school in the district, the driver with the least seniority from that school will:
1. Take an open activity at any school
2. Take over the last activity picked in
the district within their vehicle
Section 3. A. Substitute drivers shall not be used on
field trips unless no contracted drivers
are available.
B. Substitutes may not be used on yard work
between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or after 4:30 p.m. when regular contract drivers are available and willing to work. A list of drivers available on a daily basis for such work shall be developed and maintained by the bus drivers' association. All extra work will
be posted to give all drivers an equal opportunity to apply for such work. This work includes driver training, fueling, bus washing, extra yard work, picking up registration, taking buses out for repair work, etc. This excludes snow removal, security and/or nigh gassing. Assignment of all extra work shall be at the Board’s discretion.
15 Section 4. The reassignment, addition to, deletion from an assigned route shall be a managerial prerogative.
Section 5. Summer work shall be covered under a separate seniority list. Seniority is established according to the number of years of previous summer work.
Section 6. A. Any driver doubling a complete run or
activity will receive full run or activity
pay. Two drivers doubling a run or activity
will split run or activity pay in half. If
more than two drivers are involved there
B. The parties agree that in the event a driver
has refused an extra permanent run or permanent shuttle, the driver shall complete a form stating their refusal. Following the refusal that driver shall not be offered another permanent run/shuttle until the seniority list has been exhausted.
C. Any driver previously accepting a periodic
extra run (i.e., once per week or three (3) times monthly), may be permitted to exchange that run for an available daily extra run. The dropped periodic extra run shall then be offered, in accordance with the seniority list, to the next available driver without an extra run. In the event no driver is eligible or accepts the dropped periodic extra run, then the dropped run shall be offered, in accordance with the seniority list to those drivers already with an extra run.
D. Any driver enroute to or at a school when a
scheduled trip is cancelled shall receive two (2) hours paid compensation.
ARTICLE X: FAIR DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Section 1. Any employee who receives a notice of non-employment shall be informed of the reasons why said employment was terminated.
Section 2. All employees will be notified of contract and salary status not later than May 1st, whenever possible.
ARTICLE XI: EMPLOYEE FACILITIES
Section 1. The Board agrees to request traffic control at all school sites daily at the opening and closing of school and to maintain the bus yard in reasonable order.
ARTICLE XII: SICK LEAVE
Section 1. Sick leave is hereby defined to mean the absence from duty of an employee because of personal disability due to illness or injury, or because he/she has been excluded from driving by the school district's medical authorities because of a contagious disease or because of a quarantine for such a disease in his/her immediate household.
Section 2. Employees employed by the Board as of September 1st of the school year shall be entitled to ten (10) days of sick leave. Employees employed by the Board on or after the 15th of the month shall not be entitled to a sick leave day for that month but shall have their sick leave days calculated from the first of the following month. All unused sick leave shall be accumulative for additional sick leave as needed in subsequent years. Doctor's note required after four (4) non-consecutive absences a month or five (5) consecutive days off or before/after a school holiday. Sick leave benefits shall not accrue to any employee during periods of lay off or upon suspension or paid or unpaid leaves or on worker's compensation.
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Section 3. All days referred to are working days.
Section 4. Employees retiring from the school district after a minimum of fifteen years of service in the District consistent with State pension guidelines (PERS) who have accumulated at least 75 days of sick leave, shall be paid for their unused accumulated sick leave at the rate of twenty ($20.00) dollars per day to a maximum cost of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per employee provided that the driver retires at the completion of the full school year. Drivers retiring before the completion of the school year receive fifteen ($15.00) dollars per day to a maximum cost of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).
Section 5. An employee who has received a temporary leave of absence for sickness or other personal problems for a set length of time must notify the Board in writing five (5) days before the set time has expired of their intention to return or their intention to request an extension of said leave.
Section 6. Bus drivers whose record of absenteeism reflects chronic health or personal problems shall at the Board's discretion, be examined by a District physician and/or other professional consultants.
Section 7. An intended absence shall be reported as soon as such intention is known to the employee. Any absence not reported prior to the beginning of the scheduled work day shall be deemed an unexcused absence.
ARTICLE XIII: OTHER LEAVES
Section 1. As of the beginning of the 2003-04 school year, employees who are employed by the Board as of September 1st shall be entitled to the following temporary non-accumulative leaves of absence with full pay each school year. Those employees who are not employed by the Board as of September 1st shall be entitled to a pro-rata share of the following temporary, non-accumulative leaves of absence with full pay for that school year.
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Section 2. A. Up to three (3) days leave of absence for
legal or business reasons that require
absence during the school hours. Application
to the employee's immediate supervisor for
personal leave shall be made at least five
(5) working days before such leave (except in
the case of emergencies) and the applicant
for such leave shall be required to state the
reasons for taking such leave in writing.
Personal days shall not be granted before or
after vacation periods and holidays.
B. Any emergency personal leave that is taken
must have papers filled out and turned in no
later than two (2) days after date of return
to work. Papers filed after a payroll
deduction has been made will not be
considered.
C. No more than three (3) employees shall be
granted personal leave of absence on the same
day except for a verifiable emergency. Those
submitted first will be first approved.
D. Any personal days or portions of personal
days not used as of June 30th shall be
converted to sick days.
Section 3. Time necessary by reason of subpoena by a court is available for appearances in any legal proceeding connected with the employee's employment.
Section 4. Time necessary for jury duty is available if called to serve. Upon receipt of jury duty compensation by the Board, employee shall receive his/her full pay allowance during his/her absence. Consistent with past practices full pay includes activities.
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Section 5. Death or illness in family - in case of absence because of the critical illness and/or death of a member of the immediate family or household, each employee shall be allowed not more than five (5) days absence with full pay per occurrence. Immediate family is defined as a spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or grandparent. Critical illness is defined as one requiring hospitalization and placement by hospital or medical authorities on the dangerously ill list.
Section 6. Other leaves of absence without pay may be granted by the Board at their discretion.
Section 7. Leave taken pursuant to this Article shall be in addition to any sick leave to which the employee is entitled.
Section 8. An employee shall notify in writing the Director of Transportation and the Board of her pregnancy as soon as it is medically confirmed, but not later than sixty days before the anticipated delivery date as certified by her physician. Said employee may request maternity leave, without pay, commencing on a mutually agreeable date and terminating on a mutually agreeable date, but not more than twelve (12) months after the birth of the child. In the event of stillbirth or death of the child, the employee, if she so elects, may return to her position when physically able to perform her duties as determined by the employee and her physician, and subject to verification by the Board's physician. Upon the recommendation of the Director of Transportation and the approval of the Board, exceptions to the aforementioned procedures can be provided.
Section 9. No employee on maternity leave shall, on the basis of said leave, be denied the opportunity to substitute in Freehold Regional High School District.
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Section 10. All other benefits to which an employee was entitled at the time his/her leave of absence commenced, shall be restored to him/her upon his/her return, and he/she shall be assigned to the same position or a substantially equivalent position.
Section 11. All requests for extension or renewals of leaves shall be applied for and if granted, in writing.
Section 12. The drivers acknowledge that their work year and vacation schedule coincides with the District school year as established annually by the Board and that they are not entitled to leaves except those established by Articles XII and XIII of this Agreement. They are not entitled to vacation time. Drivers who request unpaid leaves of absence during a time when school is in session shall do so in writing no fewer than four weeks before the start of the leave. All leave requests shall be reviewed by the Board of Education for approval.
ARTICLE XIV: WORK YEAR
Section 1. Bus drivers' contract work year shall coincide with the District school year, July 1 - June 30.
ARTICLE XV: SENIORITY AND JOB SECURITY
Section 1. School district seniority is defined as service, continuous and uninterrupted and calculated based upon the employees contractual start date, by appointed employees in the school district in the collective bargaining unit covered by this Agreement. An appointed employee shall lose all accumulated seniority only if he/she:
A. Resigns or is discharged for cause irrespective of whether he/she is subsequently rehired by the school district.
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B. Is laid off for lack of work for more than 12
calendar months in succession.
C. Fails to reply within eight (8) school days
after notified by registered letter delivered
to last known address by Board on recall of
layoff.
Section 2. The function of seniority is the selection of contract runs, activity runs and shuttles. Seniority is based on the date of hire. If more than one person puts an application in on that date, numbers are to be drawn to choose runs.
Section 3. A six (6) month period of probation shall be required of all newly appointed drivers. During the aforesaid probationary period, the Board may discharge such probationary employee for any reason whatsoever. An employee discharged during such probationary period shall not have recourse to the grievance procedure set forth in this Agreement. The Board shall have no responsibility for re-employment of newly engaged probationary employees if they are dismissed during the probationary period.
Section 4. Credit for one year seniority on the pay scale shall be given if driver receives contract before February 1st.
Section 5. A. Extras: Extras will be given out according
to seniority (down the seniority list) and
availability (meaning right time and place)
before anyone gets a second permanent extra.
If more than one extra is available the
senior driver will have choice.
B. When more than one (1) driver is in the
vicinity of a permanent shuttle, the shuttle will be offered to the senior according to the seniority list.
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Section 6. Trips:
A. Trips shall be chosen from pre-trip board on
the basis of seniority. A sign-up list will be posted for all parties interested in selecting district trips. The Board reserves the right to determine out-of-district trips, at which time a sign-up sheet will be posted and according to seniority and capability, management will choose the drivers. The Board shall define out-of-district trips.
ARTICLE XVI: CONDUCT OF DRIVERS
Section 1. Disrespect towards supervisory personnel shall not be tolerated.
Section 2. Any driver who is found to be performing unsafe acts while driving shall be subject to penalties as determined by the Board of Education.
A. There shall be consultation between the
Director of Transportation and the safety committee on these matters.
Section 3. All employees shall attend safety meetings as they are scheduled by the Director of Transportation. Compensation for attendance of 10 hours of drivers' safety training is included in yearly contract salary. Failure to comply will result in employee not being recommended for rehire. Compensation will be given for safety training over 10 hours per year.
ARTICLE XVII: CONTINUITY OF OPERATION
Section 1. Both parties recognize the desirability of continuous and uninterrupted operation of the instructional program during the normal school year, and the avoidance of disputes which threaten to interfere with such operation. Since the parties are establishing a comprehensive grievance procedure under which unresolved disputes may be settled, the parties have removed the basic cause of work interruption during the
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period of this Agreement. The Freehold Regional Bus Drivers' Association accordingly agrees, during the period of this Agreement, that it will not, nor will any person acting in its behalf 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 an employee of the Freehold Regional High School Board of Education from his/her position, or stoppage of work or abstinence in whole or in part, from the full, faithful and proper performance of the employee's duties or employment) for any purpose whatsoever.
A. The above is interpreted that: The Freehold
Regional Bus Drivers' Association may be held
liable in damages for "Wild Cat" strikes,
unless the Association, in writing,
immediately disavows the strike and notifies
the strikers to return to work.
B. In the case of a strike, the Board may apply
for an injunction against the Freehold
Regional Bus Drivers' Association.
C. The Freehold Regional Bus Drivers'
Association agrees not to take part in
"sanctions" against the Board.
D. The Freehold Regional Bus Drivers'
Association agrees that any strike is a breach of contract and that such act removes all impediment from and permits the Board to dismiss or otherwise discipline employees taking part in that breach of contract.
ARTICLE XVIII: REPRESENTATION FEE
Section 1. A. If any employee after his first year of Board
employment become a member of the
Association, said employee will be required
to pay a representation fee to the
Association. The purpose of this fee will be
to offset the employee's per capita cost of
services rendered by the Association as
majority representative.
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B. Prior to the beginning of each membership year the amount of said representation fee shall be certified to the Board by the Association, which amount shall not exceed 85% of the regular membership dues, fees and assessments charged by the Association to it's own members.
C. Once during each membership year covered in
whole or in part of this agreement, the Association will submit to the Board a list of those employees who have not become members of the Association for the then current membership year. The Board will deduct the representation fee in October of each year.
D. The employer shall remit the amount deducted
to the Association, on or before the 15th of the month following the month in which such deduction was made.
E. It is recognized and understood by both
parties that the Board of Education has no responsibility for the proper administration of the Association Agency Fee Program and in the event that the Board of Education is secured as a party in litigation over the Association Agency Fee Program the Association shall indemnify the Board
for all legal fees, costs, and liability.
ARTICLE XIX: MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. The Board and the Association agree that there shall be no discrimination and that all practices, procedures, and policies of the school system shall clearly exemplify that there is no discrimination in the hiring, training, assignment, promotion, transfer or discipline of employees or in the application or administration of this Agreement on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, domicile, affecting or sexual orientation or marital status.
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Section 2. If any provision of this Agreement or any application of this Agreement to any employee or group of employees is held to be contrary to law, then such provision or application shall not be deemed valid and subsisting, except to the extent permitted by law, but all other provisions or applications shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 3. Any individual contract between the Board and an individual employee, heretofore or hereafter executed, shall be subject to be consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If an individual contract contains any language inconsistent with this Agreement, this Agreement, during its operation shall be controlling.
Section 4. All employees shall be required to have and maintain at least one operating telephone at their place of residence and the number to be on file with the transportation office. Change of resident address to be filed with the transportation office within seven (7) days of such change.
Section 5. Copies of this Agreement shall be prepared at the expense of the Board within thirty (30) days after the Agreement is signed by the Board and the Association. This Agreement shall be presented to all employees.
Section 6. Whenever any notice is required to be given by either of the parties of this Agreement to the other, pursuant to the provision(s) of this Agreement, either party shall do so by letter, registered letter or telegram.
Section 7. It is the obligation of all drivers to notify the Director of Transportation or his designee of any motor vehicle conviction within five (5) days after such conviction. Failure to do so may result in job dismissal after review.
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Section 8. Agreed upon increases in salary be retroactive to the date of the expiration of the previous contract. Those employees who have retired prior to the execution of the new contract will be entitled to the same retroactive increase as current employees. However, employees who have resigned or have been removed for cause will not be entitled to such retroactive increases.
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