| iii Unit 1 2000-2004 AGREEMENT
Between
THE CITY OF VINELAND
ELECTRIC UTILITY
&
LOCAL 210
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS
Unit-1
Effective January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2004
60 Unit-1 2000-2004PREAMBLE
This Agreement, dated June 14, 2000, by and between the City of Vineland Electric Utility, or its successors, together with such Electric Utility properties as may be acquired, hereinafter referred to as the “Utility” and Local Union 210 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, hereinafter referred to as the “Union”.
This Agreement is entered into in order to promote and insure harmonious relations, cooperation, and understanding between the Utility and its employees; to prescribe the rights and duties of the Utility and its employees; and to provide for the resolution of legitimate grievances; all in order that the public service shall be expedited and in order to provide an adequate and uninterrupted supply of electric service to the Utility’s customers in the City of Vineland. It is the intent of the parties that this Agreement be construed in harmony with the laws of the State of New Jersey which govern public employment.
ARTICLE 1
SCOPE
This Agreement shall apply to the bargaining unit of all operating, production and maintenance employees of the Utility, as listed by job classification in “EXHIBIT A” attached hereto and made a part hereof. This bargaining unit was certified by the Public Employment Relations Commission, by a Certification of Representative, Docket No. RO-250 and RO-251, dated May 25, 1971 as follows:
All blue-collar employees employed by the City of Vineland in the Electric Utility Distribution Division, Overhead Lines and Tree Trimming and the Utility Generating System but excluding office clerical, craft and professional employees, policemen, managerial executives, supervisors within the meaning of the Act, and all other employees.
The divisions covered herein shall be known as:
A. Generation Division
B. Distribution Division
ARTICLE 2
EMBODIMENT OF AGREEMENT
This document and the supplemental agreement constitute the sole and complete agreement between the parties, and embodies all of the terms and conditions governing the employment of employees in the Unit.
The parties acknowledge that they have had the opportunity to present and discuss proposals on any subject, without prejudice, which is (or may be) subject to collective bargaining.
ARTICLE 3
SEVERABILITY
In the event that any provision of this Agreement between the parties shall be held by operation of law and/or by a court or administrative agency of competent and final jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions of such Agreement shall not be affected thereby but shall be continued in full force and effect. It is further agreed that in the event any provision is finally declared to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties shall meet within thirty (30) days of written notice, by either party to the other, to negotiate concerning the modification, elimination or revision of such provision.
ARTICLE 4
LOYALTY - EFFICIENCY - NO DISCRIMINATION
Section 1. Employees of the Utility agree that they will perform loyal and efficient work and service; that they will use their influence and best endeavors to protect the property of the Utility and its interests; that they will cooperate with the Utility in promoting and advancing the welfare and prosperity of same at all times.
Section 2. The provisions of this Agreement shall be applied equally to all employees without discrimination as to age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation or union affiliation. Both the Utility and the Union shall bear the responsibility for complying with this provision of this Agreement.
Section 3. All references to employees in this Agreement designate both sexes, and wherever the male gender is used, it shall be construed to include male and female employees.
Section 4. The Utility agrees not to interfere with the rights of employees to become members of the Union. There shall be no discrimination, interference, restraint or coercion by the Utility or any Utility representative, against any employee because of union membership or because of any employee activity permissible under the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act of 1968 or this Agreement.
Section 5. The Union recognizes its responsibility as bargaining agent and agrees to represent all employees in the bargaining unit without discrimination, interference, restraint or coercion.
Section 6. The Union acknowledges that all actions for recruitment of new employees only are not to take place during employee’s working time.
ARTICLE 5
BARGAINING AND REPRESENTATION
The Utility recognizes the right of its employees covered by this Agreement (as indicated in “EXHIBIT A”) to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and recognizes the Union as the exclusive representative of the employees covered by this Agreement for the purposes of collective bargaining in respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, working conditions and other conditions of employment herein provided.
ARTICLE 6
ACCESS
Any duly authorized representatives of the Union designated in writing, after reporting to the office of the Department Head, shall be admitted to the premises for the purpose of assisting in the adjustment of grievances and for investigation of complaints that the contract is being breached. Upon request, the Union representative shall state the purpose of his/her visit, specifying the particulars of the items the Union desires to discuss. Except in any emergency, it will be necessary to schedule an appointment. Such visits shall not be permitted to interfere with, hamper or obstruct normal operations. The Electric Utility shall not be liable for any time lost by employees during such visits unless the visit involves Utility and Union matters.
ARTICLE 7
CHECK-OFF AND AGENCY SHOP
Section 1. If authorized voluntarily and in writing to the proper disbursing officer of the Utility, an employee subject to this Agreement, who is a member of the Union, may indicate the desire to have deductions made from his/her compensation for the purpose of paying usual, customary and uniform dues to the Union.
Section 2. A check-off shall commence for each employee who signs a properly dated authorization card, supplied by the Union and approved by the Utility, during the month following the filing of such card with the Utility.
Section 3. In addition, pursuant to N.J.S.A.34:13A-5.5, the Utility agrees to deduct from the salaries of its employees subject to this Agreement, but not members of the Union, a representation fee in lieu of dues for services rendered by the majority representative in an amount equal to 85% of the regular membership dues, fees and assessments paid by members of the Union, less the cost of benefits financed through the dues and assessments and available to and benefiting only members of the Union. Such deductions shall be made in compliance with Chapter 310, Public Laws of 1967 N.J.S.A. (R.S. 52:14-15.9(e)), as amended. Said monies, together with records of any corrections, shall be transmitted to the Union Office during the month following the monthly pay period in which deductions were made. Implementation of a payroll deduction for a representation fee for non-union members will commence as soon as practicable, but no longer than sixty (60) days after an employee’s employment in a position included in the bargaining unit.
Section 4. If during the life of this Agreement there shall be any change in the rate of membership dues, the Union shall furnish to the Utility one month’s written notice prior to the effective date of such change.
Section 5. The Union agrees to furnish the Utility with a copy of its “demand and return system” which must be established and maintained by the Union in accordance with the law.
Section 6. The Union shall indemnify, defend and save the Utility harmless against any and all claims, demands, suits or other forms of liability that shall arise out or by reason of any action taken in making deductions and remitting the same to the Union pursuant to this Article.
Section 7. Any written authorization required herein may be withdrawn at any time by the filing of a notice of such withdrawal with the above-mentioned disbursing officer, and deduction authorization cannot again be effected for a period of three (3) months.
Section 8. Dues or the representation fee in lieu thereof collected shall be paid to the Financial Secretary of Local Union 210, I.B.E.W.
Section 9. The Utility agrees to cooperate with the Union in the implementation of a “Union Savings Plan”. A weekly payroll deduction shall commence for each employee who signs a properly dated authorization card supplied by the Union and approved by the Utility during the month following the filing of such card with the Utility. The Utility will remit such savings plan deductions to the Union or its designated savings plan depository monthly. The Union shall indemnify and save the Utility harmless against all claims, demands, suits, or other forms of liability which may arise by reason of any action taken in making deductions and remitting the same to the Union or its designated savings plan depository.
ARTICLE 8
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Section 1. It is recognized that the management of the Utility, the control of its properties and the maintenance of order and efficiency, is solely a responsibility of the City of Vineland. Accordingly, the City of Vineland retains the rights, including but not limited, to select and direct the working forces, including the right to hire, suspend, demote or discharge for just cause, assign, promote, or transfer, to determine the amount of overtime to be worked, to relieve employees from duty because of lack of work or for other legitimate reasons; decide the number and location of its facilities, stations, etc., determine the work to be performed within the unit, maintenance and repair, amount of supervision necessary, machinery, tool equipment, methods, schedules of work, together with selection, procurement, designing, engineering and control of equipment and materials; purchase of services of others, contract or otherwise, except as they may be otherwise specifically limited in this Agreement, and to make reasonable and binding rules which shall not be inconsistent with this Agreement and State Law.
The City of Vineland shall have the right at all times to enforce rules, regulations, policies or other statements of procedure not inconsistent with this Agreement, not-withstanding the act, whether active or passive, of the City of Vineland in refraining from doing so at any time or times. The act of the City of Vineland at any time or times in refraining to enforce its rights under said rules, regulations, policies or other statements of procedures shall not be construed as having created a custom or practice contrary to said rules, regulations, policies or other statements of procedure or as having waived or modified said rules, regulations, policies or other statements of procedures.
Section 2. The Utility may suspend, discharge or demote an employee for sufficient and reasonable cause, but the employee or his/her representative shall, upon request, be entitled to an appeal and hearing, at which the reason for such action was taken shall be given. In the event of a discharge, or a demotion, or a suspension, for a period greater than five (5) days, then, in such event, the Civil Service appeal procedure shall be followed. Consistent with Civil Service procedures, the Director of the Electric Department or designee shall preside at Department Hearings.
ARTICLE 9
NO STRIKES OR LOCKOUTS
Section 1. It is recognized that the need for continued and uninterrupted operation of the Electric Utility is of paramount importance to the citizens of the community and that there should be no interference with such operation.
Section 2. Adequate procedures having been provided for the equitable settlement of grievances arising out of this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that there will not be and that the Union, its officers, members, agents or principals will not engage in, encourage, or sanction strikes, slowdowns, lockouts, mass resignation, mass absenteeism or other similar action which would involve suspension or interference with normal work performance.
Section 3. There shall be no responsibility on the part of the Union, its officers, representatives or affiliates for any strike or other interruptions of work unless specifically provided for in this Agreement.
Section 4. The Utility agrees that it will not engage in a lockout or other similar action because of any proposed changes in the Agreement or disputes over matters relating to this Agreement.
Section 5. The Utility shall have the right to discipline or discharge any employee encouraging, fomenting, or participating in a strike, slowdown or other such interference.
ARTICLE 10
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE AND ARBITRATION
Section 1. In the event that any difference or dispute should arise between the Utility and the Union, or its members employed by the Utility, over the application and interpretation of the terms of this Agreement, an earnest effort shall be made to settle such differences immediately and in the following manner, provided the grievance is presented in writing within five (5) working days of its occurrence or employee’s reasonable knowledge thereof:
STEP I: Between the aggrieved employee, with or without his/her Steward, and his/her Immediate Supervisor. If no satisfactory agreement is reached within three (3) working days, the Union may submit a grievance, in writing, to the second step within five (5) working days from the verbal answer from the aforesaid Immediate Supervisor. The grievance submitted to the second step must include several suggested dates/times for the second step meeting so that the meeting can be held within thirty (30) days.
STEP II: Between Union Officials, Immediate Supervisor, Shop Steward and Grievant and Superintendent of the respective division and other City officials. If no satisfactory agreement is reached within five (5) working days, the Union may submit the grievance to the third step, in writing, within five (5) working days from the second step answer. The grievance submitted to the third step must include several suggested dates/times for the third step meeting so that the meeting can be held within thirty (30) days.
STEP III: Between Union Officials, Shop Steward, Grievant and the Director of the Department of Electric Utility and/or designee and other City officials. At this step, an International Representative may be present. If no satisfactory agreement is reached within ten (10) working days, the matter may be referred to arbitration by the Utility or Union within thirty (30) days of the third step written answer.
Section 2. Either the City or Local Union 210 may request the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission to submit a list of arbitrators from which the parties may select an arbitrator. The arbitrator shall be limited to the issues presented, and shall have no power to add to, subtract from or modify any of the terms of this Agreement, or to establish or change any wage rate except in the case of wage and fringe reopener. The decision shall be final and binding. Any fees or administrative charges for the arbitrator shall be borne equally by the parties.
The City and the Union specifically agree that grievance matters shall proceed to arbitration only if submitted by the City or Local Union 210.
Section 3. Unless extended by mutual agreement in writing, the failure to observe time limits herein shall constitute abandonment of the grievance, and settlement on the basis of the last Utility answer.
Section 4. It is specifically understood and agreed that arbitration shall not be obtainable as a matter of right, if the grievance:
a. involves the existence of alleged violation of any agreement other than the present agreement between the parties;
b. would require an arbitrator to rule on, consider or change the appropriate hourly, salary or incentive rate set forth in Exhibit “A”, by which an employee shall be paid, or the method by which his/her pay shall be determined;
c. would require an arbitrator to consider, rule on or decide any of the following:
i. the elements of a job assignment;
ii. the level, title or other designation of an employee’s job classification;
iii. the right of management to assign or reassign work;
iv. pertains in any way to the establishment or administration of insurance, pension, savings, or other benefit plans in which employees are eligible to participate;
v. the right of management to determine and assign shift hours, except as limited by this agreement;
vi. involves discipline or discharge of employees;
vii. involves violations of State laws and regulations.
ARTICLE 11
SENIORITY AND SERVICE
Section 1. Seniority shall be determined by length of service in each classification. Seniority, for pay purposes only, is not recognized until the employee has continuously served for more than three (3) months in the classification. This does not apply to temporary assignments.
Section 2. Service is defined to mean the accumulated length of continuous service with the Utility, computed from the last day of hire. An employee’s length of service shall not be reduced by time lost due to authorized leave of absence or absence for bona fide illness or injury certified by a physician not in excess of one (1) year. Employment may be terminated if any of the following occur:
a. discharge;
b. resignation;
c. failure to return promptly upon expiration of authorized leave;
d. absence for five (5) consecutive working days without leave or notice;
e. engaging in any other employment during a period of leave;
f. absence for illness or injury for more than one (1) continuous year; and
g. layoff for longer than twelve (12) consecutive months.
ARTICLE 12
JOB BIDDING
Section 1. If the Management determines to fill a permanent vacancy below the level of Supervisor not caused by vacations, illness, leave or similar reason, a written notice of the opening, indicating the position, rate and necessary qualifications shall be posted on the bulletin board for a period not to exceed six (6) working days. Any employee may signify to the Management in writing during that period an interest in being considered for the opening. The Management shall make its selection from the bidders on the basis of its judgment of the qualifications, employment and absentee record, skill and ability of those bidding, giving preference to the senior bidder, considering the overall effect on operations. The bidder so selected shall fill the vacancy on a temporary basis pending examination for permanent status. Selection will always be made on a basis consistent with State law. Should the successful bidder fail to qualify, or otherwise not be selected in accordance with State law, he/she will return to his/her former job. If no employee has bid, or the Management determines that no bidder had appropriate qualifications, the vacancy may be filled by outside hiring. The job vacated by a successful bidder shall be filled by Management from the work force, provided there is a senior qualified employee available for the job.
Section 2. Up to the first three (3) months on the new job shall be considered a trial period. If Management determines that the job is not being satisfactorily performed, the employee shall be returned to his/her former job with full seniority and the position shall be filled from the work force, provided there is a senior qualified employee available for the job, at the discretion of the employer. A successful bidder may not bid again until a minimum of six (6) months will have passed, except for further promotion. Should a vacancy occur, the successful bidder may be considered by Management if qualified and available to be promoted to the existing vacancy.
Section 3. If an employee successfully bids a position lower than his/her present position, an evaluation by Management will determine his/her starting rate based on past experience and qualification.
Section 4. If during the initial three (3) month period, an employee desires to return to his/her former classification, he/she will be permitted to do so. If, after the expiration of the three (3) month period, an employee desires to return to his/her former classification, he/she will be permitted to do so only after a vacancy occurs in his/her former classification.
ARTICLE 13
PROMOTIONS, DEMOTIONS
Section 1. In filling vacancies by promotion, in accordance with applicable State laws or transfer of an applicant to a higher classification covered by this Agreement, or which may be added to this Agreement, where the following qualifications are adequate, seniority shall govern:
a. Ability to do the job as safely as it can be done under the circumstances;
b. Knowledge of the job which is being filled;
c. Experience in types of work related to the job being filled;
d. Ability to instruct employees properly;
e. Availability to perform the required work as needed; and
f. Ability to advance within a job classification.
Section 2. The Utility shall notify the Union in writing of the selection made. It is agreed that in case an employee is by-passed, he/she shall have the right to submit a grievance through the Union. However, the arbitration provisions of this Agreement shall not apply.
Section 3. Normal progression through Operation and Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) shall be by way of the relief position.
Section 4. In the event it becomes necessary to reduce in rank an employee from a supervisory position, the employee will return to the bargaining unit with only the seniority he/she had accumulated prior to going into supervision, i.e. he/she does not accumulate any seniority in his/her supervisory position. The employee may not return to the bargaining unit with a higher classification than that of a Journeyman within the Division from which he/she was promoted. For the purposes of defining Journeyman, the following classifications shall apply:
Distribution: Lineman or Equivalent
Generation: Relief Operator of the Classification which he/she held
Senior Maintenance Repairer
Section 4 is subject to Federal and State regulations.
ARTICLE 14
TRANSFERS
Employees desiring to transfer from one classification to another within the same division will have three (3) months to return to their previous position; employees transferring to another division will be required to remain for one (1) year, except for further promotion.
Employees shall submit such requests in writing to the Utility and the Union. Should such transfer be practicable, seniority in the new classification shall be awarded on the basis one-half (½) accumulated seniority in the old classification which is not applicable for pay purposes.
ARTICLE 15
APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING
Section 1. Line Apprentice Program.
a. It is mutually understood and agreed that the lineworker helper classification is filled by an employee who is training to become a lineman. He/She shall work with qualified linemen on energized primary circuits and equipment and perform ground work when required. He/She is equivalent to a lineman-apprentice as understood by standard practice.
b. A Line Apprentice Program is hereby agreed upon. The program is defined in “Appendix A”.
c. Servicemen of on-line pole equipment shall be qualified linemen.
d. The Line Apprentice Program as attached hereto and defined in “APPENDIX A” shall be amended to reflect modifications to the 15KV Class I and I Rules (Isolate and Insulate Rules) which relate to two-man crews, which modifications are more fully defined in “APPENDIX C”.
Section 2. An Electrical-Mechanic Apprenticeship Program (Distribution Division) is hereby agreed upon. The program is defined in “APPENDIX B”.
Section 3. When the Utility requires that employees of certain specified classifications enroll in training courses (I.C.S., N.U.S. or similar) selected by the Utility as a pre-requisite for advancement, the courses will be provided by the Utility as specified in Lineman Apprentice Program fully described in “APPENDIX A”. The employee shall enroll in the course within one (1) year of his/her appointment. Those classifications are presently Repairer, Instrument Repairer, Electric Meter Repairer, and Electrician Trainee, detailed in “APPENDIX B”; and Transformer Electromobile Equipment Maintainer Trainee, detailed in “APPENDIX D”.
Section 4. Any employee wishing to enroll in an I.C.S. or similar course not required by the Utility as part of its present program or a pre-requisite for advancement will be permitted to obtain the course through the Utility and pay for it by the payroll deduction plan. There will be no tuition refund of such courses.
Section 5. During the term of this Agreement, any changes in the Apprenticeship Program will be subject to negotiations between the Utility and the Local 210, I.B.E.W.
Section 6. Employees of the Generation Station performing work functions requiring the licensure by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor for operation of a steam pressure vessel will be allowed reasonable time off to attend designated state licensure training classes. Said employees shall give their supervisor reasonable notice in advance of their desire to attend such classes. Reasonable notice in this instance is considered to be not less than five (5) working days advance notice. Management has the right to deny attendance until adequate manpower is available or scheduling changes can be made. Management has the right to limit attendance to the course during the normal scheduled work day.
The Utility will pay said authorized employees at their regular rate of pay for the time lost from their regular work for the time to attend said classes. It is the purpose and intent of this provision to authorize designated employees to be released to attend the steam pressure vessel class if said class is scheduled during the employees’ regularly scheduled hours of work. It is not the intent of the City to compensate employees for attending class during non-scheduled working hours. Furthermore, employees released from work to attend class shall furnish their Work Station Supervisor with a proof of attendance slip signed by the Steam Pressure Vessel Training Instructor and/or a designated representative of the learning institution documenting the employees’ attendance at class. Failure to provide the documentation as required herein shall automatically forfeit the employee’s right to payment for the hours released for class attendance during said regularly scheduled work day.
Section 7. The Utility agrees to reimburse the cost of tuition for courses preapproved by Management considered relevant to the employee’s present position or foreseeable future position. The Utility feels it is reasonable to limit the reimbursement to tuition and books only. The cost of supplies, traveling, and class time shall be a responsibility of the employee.
Remedial courses required shall in most cases be the responsibility of the employee.
Approved courses shall be subject to reimbursement upon the employee’s successful completion of courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 (“C”).
When specialized training is requested by the Utility, the Utility shall pay all expenses directly related to receiving such training. For example: tuition, meals, traveling expenses, lodging expenses, etc. The employee shall suffer no loss of regular wages as a result of such specialized training.
If out of control of the City and Union because the course is not offered in the evening, the employee will not be held up in the promotional steps but the employee will make every effort to reschedule the course when offered.
Management may approve a course where the employee cannot work until the end of the work day because of course starting time. The employee will then be given an early dismissal time to make it to the course on time.
ARTICLE 16
PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES
New employees shall remain probationary until after completion of six (6) months of service from the date of last hiring. Upon completion of said period, such employees shall enjoy seniority status from the date of last hiring. Employees shall have no seniority rights during this probationary period. Their employment may be terminated at any time at the sole discretion of the Utility. Discharges during the probationary period shall only be subject to the last step of the grievance procedure and are inarbitrable. The rate of pay during such probationary employment shall not be less than the minimum rate of pay for the employees’ classification in the wage schedule.
ARTICLE 17
TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS
Section 1. Any regular employee temporarily assigned to a classification having a higher wage scale than his/her basic scale shall receive a wage determined as the first step of the temporary assigned classification, except for the upgrading of Fuel Handler (Final Step) or Power Plant Helper (Final Step) to the positions of Repairer, E.U., Instrument Repairer, in which case the second step will apply. No upgrade will be paid for assignments of two hours or less. Over two hours, and up to four hours, four hours of upgrade will be paid. Over four hours, eight hours of upgrade will be paid. This pertains to normal work hours only. In the event that an employee leaves prior to the end of the shift, the employee shall receive upgrade pay only for hours worked.
With regard to overtime, employee will only receive upgrade for hours paid.
Section 2. Any employee temporarily assigned to a job paying a lower scale of wages than his/her own shall suffer no reduction in said scale of wages, during such temporary assignments.
Section 3. Temporary upgrading shall go to the qualified senior employee in the crew for a period not to exceed three (3) days, after which the qualified senior employee shall be upgraded. If prior knowledge exists of an absence greater than three (3) days, then upgrading shall go to the qualified senior employee.
Section 4. Any employee serving in a temporary upgraded capacity of work leader or higher classification covered under this agreement for a month or more, shall be credited with this time for wage adjustment purposes if he/she becomes permanent in the position. Such time shall not be used for seniority purposes.
Section 5. Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) will be excluded from the above preference for temporary upgrading to Work Leader positions.
ARTICLE 18
HOURS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Section 1. The work week shall consist of seven (7) consecutive days beginning at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and ending at 12:00 midnight Saturday. The work day shall be the period of twenty-four (24) hours starting and ending at midnight. Every effort shall be made by the Utility to assure the employees of an eight (8) hour work day and a forty (40) hour work week.
Section 2.
a. Non-rotating employees shall work five (5) consecutive days, Monday through Friday, starting normally at 8:00 a.m.
b. Shift change for non-rotating employees.
i. In the event that non-rotating employees normally working continuously on the day shift are required to work on a prearranged schedule which includes one or both of the other two shifts, he/she shall be paid the applicable overtime rate for all hours worked outside his/her normal work hours on the first day of the new shift.
ii. This provision shall apply only to the first change of schedule away from his/her normal work week.
iii. For such changes in schedule which involve more than one work week, the provisions applying to shift workers shall prevail.
Section 3. There shall be no pyramiding of shift and overtime payments.
Section 4. Days of Rest.
a. For rotating shift personnel including Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) and Dispatcher Watchmen, the first day of rest will be the first day the employee is scheduled to be off during the week between Saturday midnight and the following Saturday midnight. The second day of rest will be the second day the employee is scheduled to be off during the same period.
b. For all other employees, Saturday will be considered the first day of rest, and Sunday the second day of rest.
c. Laborers assigned to a Monday through Friday schedule will recognize Sunday as the second day of rest. Saturday is the first day of rest.
Section 5. Rotating Shift Employees.
a. Rotating shift employees shall work five (5) days of the seven (7) day work week according to their schedules.
b. Employees working rotating shifts in Generation Station who are temporarily assigned from their regular shift to another shift shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for the first two days of work in the new shift for which they would normally have been paid at the straight time rate. This premium shall apply only to the first change of schedule and does not apply when returning to the original shift.
N.B. This paragraph does not apply to Relief Operators regardless of the circumstances. This does not apply to employees taken off their shift for training or taken off their shift for a promotion.
c. A rotating shift employee who is assigned to another shift on other than a temporary basis will be paid the applicable overtime rate for the first day on the new shift, on which he/she works.
d. Rotating shift employees on the night shift who lose one hour of work due to change from standard to daylight saving time shall be given the opportunity to make up that hour by continuing work on maintenance from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on the next Monday at straight time.
Section 6. Certain employees - fuel handlers, ash handling, janitors, dispatchers, and laborers - may be scheduled for forty (40) hours per week to meet operation needs. Section 2 above shall not apply to the aforementioned employees.
Note: It is understood that a laborer doing work as a fuel handler pursuant to Article Seventeen will be temporarily upgraded to a fuel handler, while doing such work.
Section 7. Relief employees will be assigned to fill shift vacancies for various reasons. They will be required to work as rotating shift workers or non-rotating workers as required to meet operation needs. Sections 2 and 5a., b., and c. above shall not apply to the aforementioned employees.
Section 8. For emergency conditions, the control room operator will serve as a back-up dispatcher with a two-way radio supplied as required until proper dispatchers report.
ARTICLE 19
STORMY WEATHER
Section 1. Construction personnel shall not normally be assigned outdoor work during stormy weather; however, this shall not preclude assignments in any type of weather under emergency or other unusual conditions. During inclement weather, employees normally assigned to outdoor work may be given related inside work assignments.
Section 2. Trucks or other vehicles may be loaded or unloaded during stormy weather as usual if such vehicles and the loading area are sheltered. Personnel may unload such materials as may be delivered by truckers or other common carriers for which sheltered unloading is not possible. Employees in vehicles are not considered to be working in stormy weather; under such conditions, employees may be dispatched to their normal work location.
Section 3. Meter Readers will not be required to work out-of-doors during heavy rain, snow or sleet or in any severe weather conditions which could be considered as detrimental to the health or safety of the employee. The above shall not affect meter connects or disconnects that are necessary.
ARTICLE 20
OVERTIME
Section 1. Time and one-half shall be paid for all overtime in excess of eight (8) hours on any work day. If an employee works on the first unscheduled day of the work week, the rate shall be one-and-one-half times the regular rate of pay; if an employee works on the second unscheduled day of the work week, the rate shall be at double time. The Utility shall distribute overtime as equitably as possible and in the best interest of the service requirements of the Utility. When practicable, overtime shall be held to within classification.
Section 2. When an employee works two consecutive eight (8) hour shifts, the applicable overtime rate shall be paid for one of the eight (8) hour shifts. When an employee has completed sixteen (16) continuous hours of work, he/she shall receive an eight (8) hour rest period without compensation. If this rest period involves any part of his/her normally scheduled work day, he/she shall lose no time or pay thereby.
Section 3. If an employee is called back to work within two (2) hours after completion of an eight (8) hour shift, the sixteen (16) hour maximum work period shall be computed from the start of the eight (8) hour shift, except that he/she may continue a job in progress up to two additional hours.
Section 4. Bridge Time. (See Article 22, Section 5)
Section 5. Each Division shall establish an agreement with the Union over the policy and procedures regarding Overtime Accounting within the Division.
Section 6. All employees covered under this agreement have an obligation to respond to a reasonable amount of overtime.
Section 7. Distribution Division. The City will assign pagers to two (2) Linemen and one (1) Electrician on all holidays along with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The days consist of 12:00 a.m. to midnight on the actual day.
The assigned employee will be required to report to work within 30 minutes of notification. These employees will be compensated at 2½ hours pay at straight time plus any call-in pay.
The pagers will be assigned at the beginning of each year, and the list will rotate each year so the employee is not scheduled for the same holiday as the previous year when the list is prepared. Should it be necessary, it will be the employee’s responsibility to find a replacement for his/her day.
Note: This clause will be implemented immediately after the first time there is not a positive response to an overtime call within one (1) hour. This clause will terminate when and if a Senior Lineworker (Troubleshooter) position is filled.
ARTICLE 21
SHIFT PREMIUM
Section 1. A shift premium shall be paid to any employee who is regularly scheduled for work on afternoon or night shifts as follows:
For hours worked on the afternoon and night shifts, employees shall be paid a premium as follows:
Year 2000 $1.19 (retroactive to January 1, 2000)
January 1, 2001 $1.23
July 1, 2001 $1.25
Year 2002 $1.29
Year 2003 $1.34
Year 2004 $1.39
Where Sunday is a regularly scheduled basic workday, employees shall be paid a premium for all regularly scheduled Day Shift hours. This premium is for shift workers exclusively.
Section 2. For the purpose of applying shift premium, shifts shall be identified as follows:
a. The AFTERNOON SHIFT shall consist of those hours worked between 3:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.
b. The NIGHT SHIFT shall consist of those hours worked between 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
c. The DAY SHIFT shall consist of those hours worked between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Section 3. Control Room Operators working the Night Shift as defined in subparagraph 2b above, shall be paid a special dispatcher premium of 5¢ per hour.
ARTICLE 22
CALL-OUT TIME
Section 1. If an employee, covered by this Agreement, is called out for work at a time other than his/her regular work period, he/she shall be paid the prevailing overtime rates but with a minimum pay equivalent to five (5) hours pay at straight time, provided he/she performs any work assigned to him/her within classification.
Section 2. The minimum pay provision shall apply to prearranged work, unless it continues into the regular work schedule.
Section 3. To qualify as prearranged work, notification shall be given prior to the end of the preceding work period. When prearranged or call-out overtime is canceled for a specific job after the end of the preceding work period, five hours pay at straight time rate shall be paid to the employee so canceled. When known in advance of a cancellation, the Utility will contact the employee and cancel the overtime.
Section 4. If an employee is on the property of the City of Vineland Electric Utility and is asked to work within one hour prior to starting time or within one hour after quitting time, the employee will be compensated with a minimum pay equivalent to one (1) hour of straight time compensation, but in no case less than the actual minutes worked times one and one-half. Said time will not accrue toward a meal allowance.
Example: For one-half (½) hour worked times 1.5 = .75, an employee would be paid for one hour compensation. For time worked over 40 minutes, an employee would receive time and one-half (1½) compensation.
Section 5. Bridge Time. When an employee is called out and works into a period five (5) hours before his/her normal starting time, the time between the time that the overtime assignment ends and his/her normal starting time begins shall be bridged for time only. If the resulting hours number sixteen (16), the employee shall be afforded eight (8) hours rest without loss of pay.
ARTICLE 23
MEALS
GENERATION DIVISION
Section 1.
a. Overtime continuing beyond normal work period:
Employees shall be entitled to a meal after two (2) hours beyond their normal quitting time. Thereafter, they shall be entitled to one meal following each additional four (4) hour period of work.
b. Overtime starting two (2) or more hours before normal work period and continuing into normal work period [Example: Employee will be entitled to two (2) meals if he/she starts more than two (2) hours before his/her normal schedule and works a minimum of four (4) hours of his/her basic shift].
Employee shall be entitled to the next meal at his/her regular meal time, provided no employee shall be delayed beyond six (6) hours in receiving such meals.
c. Overtime starting within two (2) hours before normal work period and continuing into normal work period:
Employee shall be entitled to breakfast except as stated in Article 22, Section 4.
d. Employee scheduled to work will only earn meals after completing an eight (8) hour shift on the first and second days of rest. [For accounting purposes only, one (1) meal shall be credited for the first eight (8) hours worked on the first and second days of rest].
Section 2. The cost of meals shall average not more than
$6.50 per meal in 2000
$6.50 per meal in 2001
$6.50 per meal in 2002
$7.50 per meal in 2003
$7.50 per meal in 2004.
Meals not eaten shall not be paid for, but all meals earned shall be included in the calculation of the average cost reviewed quarterly. In the event such quarterly review of meal costs discloses that the average meal cost to the City exceeds the above referenced $6.50 or $7.50 per meal, then a maximum limit of the above referenced $6.50 or $7.50 for the next quarter shall become effective. All meals shall be approved and scheduled by the Division Superintendent or designee prior to taking such a meal.
Section 3. Call-Out Overtime: Employees shall be entitled to a meal following each four (4) hour period of work. However, employees shall be entitled to the first meal not more than six (6) hours beyond the previous meal eaten before reporting. It is understood that this meal will be provided as soon as practicable after reasonable emergency repairs have been completed.
Section 4. Pre-arranged overtime: Apply to Section 1.
Section 5. Normal day off: Employees scheduled to work on a “normal day off” for hours other than those usually worked on regular working days shall be entitled to meals in accordance with Sections 1, 2 or 3.
Section 6. Adverse Conditions: Adverse conditions which necessitate emergency overtime of a continuous nature, employees shall be entitled to a meal following each four (4) hour period of work.
Section 7. The one-half (½) hour lunch period for non-rotating shift workers will normally fall as close to noon as practicable. Under special circumstances, the lunch period may occur between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
DISTRIBUTION DIVISION ONLY:
Section 8.
a. Overtime continuing beyond normal work period:
Employees shall be entitled to a meal after two (2) hours beyond their normal quitting time. Thereafter, they shall be entitled to one meal following each additional four (4) hour period of work.
b. Overtime starting more than one (1) hour before normal work period and continuing into normal work period, employee will be entitled to two (2) meals if he/she works a minimum of four (4) continuous hours. Overtime starting one (1) hour or less before normal work period and continuing into normal work period, the employee will be entitled to no meal.
c. For purposes of calculating meal allowance time; time will start when employee is contacted for a call-out, providing the employee responds to the call-out.
Section 9.
a. Prearranged overtime starting more than one (1) hour before normal work period and continuing into the normal work period, the employee will be entitled to one (1) meal.
b. Prearranged overtime starting one (1) hour or less before normal work hours and continuing into the normal work period, the employee will be entitled to no meals.
c. All other prearranged overtime provisions apply to Section 8.
Section 10. Call-Out Overtime.
Employees shall be entitled to a meal following each four (4) hour period of work. However, employees shall be entitled to the first meal not more than six (6) hours beyond the previous meal before reporting. It is understood that this meal will be provided as soon as practicable after reasonable emergency repairs have been completed.
Section 11. Normal Day Off.
a. Employees scheduled to work will only earn meals after completing an eight (8) hour shift on the first and second days of rest. (For accounting purposes only, one (1) meal shall be credited for the first eight (8) hours worked on the first and second days of rest).
b. Employees scheduled to work on a normal day off for hours other than those usually worked on a regular working day shall be entitled to meals in accordance with Sections 8, 9, 10, or 11.
Section 12. Adverse Conditions.
Adverse conditions which necessitate emergency overtime of a continuous nature, employees shall be entitled to a meal following each four (4) hour period of work.
Section 13. The one-half (½) hour lunch period for non-rotating shiftworkers will normally fall as close to noon as practicable. Under special circumstances, the lunch period may occur between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Section 14. The cost of meals shall average not more than
$6.50 per meal in 2000
$6.50 per meal in 2001
$6.50 per meal in 2002
$7.50 per meal in 2003
$7.50 per meal in 2004.
Meals not eaten shall not be paid for, but all meals earned shall be included in the calculation of the average cost reviewed quarterly. In the event such quarterly review of meal costs discloses that the average meal cost to the City exceeds the above referenced $6.50 or $7.50 per meal, then a maximum limit of the above referenced $6.50 or $7.50 for the next quarter shall become effective. All meals shall be approved and scheduled by the Division Superintendent or designee prior to taking such a meal.
ARTICLE 24
HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE DAYS
Section 1. Holidays
a. If a holiday falls on an employee’s regular work day, he/she shall receive straight time wages based on his/her regular rate of pay for each of the following holidays:
1. New Years Day 8. Labor Day
2. Martin Luther King Day 9. Columbus Day
3. Lincoln’s Birthday 10. Veteran’s Day
4. Washington’s Birthday 11. General Election Day
5. Good Friday 12. Thanksgiving
6. Memorial Day 13. Day After Thanksgiving
7. Independence Day 14. Christmas
Effective January 1, 2002, Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday will be combined into “President’s Day”. The above list will be renumbered with 13 holidays to reflect this change.
b. An official holiday shall be the period from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) of the day of official observance. For shift workers, the official holiday shall be the period from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) of the day of the actual holiday.
c. When an employee is called upon to work on such designated official holiday he/she shall be paid, in addition to his/her regular straight time, one-and-one-half (1½) times his/her regular rate of pay for all hours worked on such holiday, falling within his/her normally scheduled working hours.
d. Holiday pay shall not be allowed an employee unless he/she is working during the week in which the holiday falls, and is on the job and available for work his/her last full scheduled workday before and his/her first full scheduled workday after the holiday, even though in different work weeks, except in case of proven illness or injury substantiated by a medical certificate.
e. Should a designated legal or official holiday be observed on one of the employee’s regularly scheduled basic work days within his/her normal working period while he/she is on vacation, said holiday shall not be counted as a vacation day.
f. When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday and the official observance is on the preceding or the following day, holiday time will be allowed only on the day of official observance. Shift workers assigned to work on holidays will be paid holiday pay compensation on the actual holiday rather than the day it is observed.
g. Consistent with the policy covering vacation and sick leave allowance, holiday pay shall apply to employees holding temporary appointment, pending examination for permanent employment but shall not apply to employees holding temporary, emergency or seasonal positions.
h. These provisions apply only to the above-listed holidays.
i. Each employee of the Utility shall be entitled to the fourteen (14) above-designated holidays per year with pay at straight time, except as specified in paragraph 1(a) and 1(c) of this Article.
j. Regular employees covered by this Agreement who work on one of the holidays recognized by this Agreement shall be paid at two and one-half (2½) times their normal rate. On Day Work, Friday only, the open shift between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in the Generation Division, which falls on a holiday shall be covered by a relief operator.
k. All rotating shift workers shall be considered as day workers on their first and second days of rest, if such days are holidays.
l. All employees shall receive equal benefits from declared one-half (½) day holidays.
m. When the Mayor of Vineland declares a holiday in addition to those provided for by contractual terms, all physical workers of the Vineland Electric Utility shall be benefited equally. This does not apply to the declaration of an emergency.
Section 2. Personal Leave Days.
a. The Utility grants three (3) personal leave days annually for each employee, subject to the following conditions. Personal leave days shall be granted by the Utility upon three (3) days prior written request of the employee submitted to the Head of his/her Department. Said request shall be granted, at the discretion of the Division Head, so long as the employee’s absence can be granted without interference with the proper conduct of the Department. In the event special and extraordinary circumstances exist, the three (3) day written notice provisions hereof may be waived at the discretion of the Division Head or designee. Personal leave days shall not accumulate. If an emergency requires calling into work of an employee from a scheduled and approved personal leave day, or if the employee voluntarily makes himself/herself available for work during an emergency on a scheduled and approved personal leave day, then in that event, his/her personal leave day shall be rescheduled.
b. The above applies to new employees, except that they may not use these earned days until the completion of ninety (90) days employment with the City. In the event that special extraordinary circumstances exist, the employee may use said personal days prior to the completion of said ninety (90) day employment upon approval of the Division Head or designee. Should an employee be unable to take time off because of the ninety (90) day provision, said eligible time will be allowed to be carried over to the succeeding year.
c. Personal leave days are administered in the following manner: Anyone on the payroll between January 1 and April 30 for 30 days will earn one (1) personal leave day; continuous employment from May 1 to August 31 will earn one (1) additional day; continuous employment from September 1 to December 31 will earn an additional personal leave day until one year has been completed.
d. Effective January 1, 2002, Unit-1 employees will have an additional personal day, which is to be administered in accordance with the same procedures set forth in items a and b above. Subsection c will be revised to reflect a quarterly earning period for personal days.
ARTICLE 25
VACATIONS
Section 1. All permanent employees of the Vineland Electric Utility shall receive the following annual leave for vacation purposes with pay in and for each calendar year, except as otherwise herein provided:
Up to one (1) year of service - one (1) working day’s vacation for each month of service;
Upon completion of 1 year of service through 6 years of service - 12 days;
Upon completion of 6 years of service through 13 years of service - 15 days;
Upon completion of 13 years of service through 19 years of service - 20 days;
Upon completion of 19 years of service through 27 years of service - 25 days;
Upon the completion of 27 years of service through retirement - 30 days.
Section 2. Where in any calendar year the vacation or any part thereof is not granted and taken by reason of pressure of the Electric Utility business, as determined and approved by the Division Superintendent or designee, such vacation periods or parts thereof not granted shall accumulate and shall be granted and may be taken during the next succeeding calendar year only.
Section 3. Any provisional employee pending examination for permanent employment shall receive one (1) working day’s vacation for each month of service from his/her date of probationary employment to his/her date of permanent employment, provided, however, that this shall not apply to temporary, seasonal or emergency employees.
Section 4. In determining the annual leave for vacation purposes to which any employee of the Electric Utility shall be entitled, credit shall be given for all continuous full-time service or permanent part-time service which such employee shall have served with the City of Vineland. Part-time service shall be credited proportionately.
Section 5. An employee’s rate of vacation pay shall be based on the employee’s regular rate of pay, exclusive of overtime, which was earned when the vacation accrued, except where vacation was delayed at the Utility’s request.
Section 6. All vacations shall be granted so far as practicable, in accordance with the desires of the employee, but it is not intended that he/she shall lose vacation benefits when he/she cannot be spared from duty.
Section 7. If an emergency requires the calling into work of an employee from his/her vacation, or he/she voluntarily makes himself/herself available for work during an emergency, his/her unused vacation shall be rescheduled.
Section 8. Should a holiday be observed on one of the employee’s normal scheduled work days while he/she is on vacation, he/she shall be entitled to an additional day off.
Section 9. Vacation pay will be granted to employees resigning from the Utility, provided they have given at least two weeks notice prior to their resignation. The number of vacation days to be granted will be the proportional number accrued during the year of resignation. If an employee is eligible for vacation pay allowance at time of death, the Utility will pay an equivalent compensation for any unused vacation to the employee’s designated beneficiary.
Section 10. Vacation, if scheduled before the last quarter of the year for the month of December is not taken due to illness or injury, a carry-over of up to one (1) week may be taken in the first quarter of the following year.
Section 11. The above applies to new employees, except that they may not use these earned days until the completion of ninety (90) days employment with the Utility. In the event that special extraordinary circumstances exist, the employee may use earned and accrued days prior to the completion of said ninety (90) day employment upon approval of the Division Head or designee. Should an employee be unable to take time off because of the ninety (90) day provision, said eligible time will be allowed to be carried over to the succeeding year.
Section 12. An employee who commences employment during the first fifteen (15) days of the month shall be credited with having worked a full month for the purposes of vacation computation. An employee who commences employment on the sixteenth (16th) day of the month or thereafter shall not be credited with working said month for the purpose of vacation computation. This section applies to all new employees who commence employment after January 1, 1989.
Section 13. Advance vacation pay will be paid to employees who have earned and eligible vacation leave and who have been approved for a minimum vacation of two (2) weeks at one time. This will not apply for any employee who is scheduled for vacation for less than a two (2) week period. Request for vacation pay in advance must be made a minimum of six (6) weeks prior to the requested payment.
If the City establishes a Direct Deposit Program, employees who elect the Direct Deposit Program will no longer be eligible for vacation pay in advance. Employees who do not elect the Direct Deposit Program will follow the procedure as stated above.
ARTICLE 26
WORK LEADERS
Section 1. Working foremen shall be designated as Work Leaders and are expected to perform all unit work as well as supervisory duties. They shall be designated by the Electric Utility management on the basis of qualifications required by management of a Supervisor. Where qualifications are equal, the senior employee shall be given preference.
Section 2. Inasmuch as one of the primary functions of the Work Leaders is to maintain and be responsible for production standards, quantitatively and qualitatively, any failure to so perform may result in removal of the individual from this classification.
Section 3. While such Work Leaders may join the Union and shall be permitted to do unit work without limitation, any conduct of such Work Leaders inconsistent with the exercise of proper supervisory functions shall result in removal of the individual from this classification.
Section 4. An Electric Utility crew temporarily operating without a Work Leader for a period in excess of one week, shall be assigned an interim Work Leader to fill the vacancy. The appointment of the interim Work Leader will be made on a full time basis for hours worked at the discretion of management.
Explanation: It is not the intention of this section to pay upgraded wages for hours not worked: i.e., vacation, personal, sick, holiday or other pay for approved leave of absence. It is intended to pay the Work Leader rate for all overtime and/or call-out pay earned during the period of this assignment.
ARTICLE 27
SUPERVISORS
Section 1. In order to assure orderly understanding of authority of supervisors for job assignments and instructions, the Electric Utility management shall designate by name those persons to such authority in each department and post notices of such designation in each department.
Section 2. Supervisors shall not perform unit work except in an emergency where qualified manpower is unavailable and for training and instruction.
Section 3. Unit work is defined as that work performed by employees in “EXHIBIT A” Classifications.
ARTICLE 28
TIME TO ATTEND MEETINGS
Employees of the Utility and members of the Union’s Committee will be allowed reasonable time off to attend meetings with Utility officials. They shall give their supervisor reasonable notice in advance of their desire to attend such meetings. The Utility will pay these employees at their regular rates for the time lost from their regular work when attending such meetings. It is understood, however, that except for the foregoing, nothing shall be done which will interfere with the regular work of any Utility employee. Any member of the Union negotiating committee who is a scheduled shift worker will be excused from working a scheduled shift on the same day immediately preceding or immediately following the joint negotiating meeting. Vacation days and/or days of rest will be rescheduled if they coincide with Utility authorized meetings.
Any member of the Union Negotiations Committee who is a scheduled shift worker and who attends a joint negotiating session on a scheduled day of rest will receive equal time off, not to exceed 8 hours, for attendance at the joint negotiating session. Days of rest will be rescheduled by the City (with some input by the employee) for the time spent in the joint negotiating session not to exceed 8 hours so as not to interfere with City business. In the event an employee’s work is prearranged on a rescheduled day of rest or the employee is called out on a rescheduled rest day, the employee will receive the appropriate overtime rate for all hours worked. The above will be implemented consistent with the rules and regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
ARTICLE 29
PHYSICAL DISABILITY
Section 1. In the event an employee with twenty (20) years or more service becomes unable to perform his/her normal duties because of permanent partial physical disability (whether compensable otherwise or not), the Utility may provide him/her with such related work as the incapacitated employee can do.
Section 2. In the event an employee with twenty-five (25) years or more of service becomes unable to perform his/her normal duties because of permanent partial physical disability, whether compensable or not under the Worker’s Compensation Act, the Utility will provide him/her with such related work as the incapacitated employee is capable of performing. The determination as to whether a disabled employee is capable of performing said related work is to be made by the Utility’s designated or accepted physician. If the assignment is to a lower grade job, he/she shall receive at the time of such assignment a special rate equal to not less than seventy-five (75%) percent of his/her rate at the time the disability started. The special job rate shall be effective until the rate for his/her new classification reaches his/her special rate, after which he/she will advance with the classification.
Section 3. In the event an employee is unable to perform his/her normal duties due to his/her temporary partial disability from a non-work related injury, the Utility based upon a determination by the Utility designated or accepted physician, may provide him/her with such related work or assignment as the incapacitated employee can perform.
ARTICLE 30
INJURY ON THE JOB/INJURY LEAVE
Section 1. Any employee covered by this Agreement who sustains an injury while on the job will be compensated for time lost in having the injury attended to in an amount not exceeding two (2) hours if such injury requires professional medical attention. If, in the opinion of the attending physician, the employee should not return to work for the balance of that shift, the employee is to draw pay not to exceed the balance of work time remaining on that shift at the employee’s regular straight time rate for the day on which the injury occurred.
Section 2. If an employee is incapacitated and unable to work because of any injury sustained in the performance of his/her utility work, as evidenced by certificate of a Utility designated physician or other physician acceptable to the Utility, he/she shall be granted, in addition to his/her annual sick leave with pay or any accumulation thereof, leave of absence with pay for a period of three hundred sixty-five (365) days or so much thereof as may be required, as evidenced by certificate of the Utility designated or accepted physician, but not longer than a period of which worker’s compensation temporary disability payments are allowed.
Section 3. If at the end of such period, the employee is unable to return to duty, a certificate from the Utility designated or accepted physician shall be presented, certifying to this fact, and the employee may elect, if he/she so desires, to use all or any part of the sick leave accumulated to supplement compensation payments so that combined compensation payments and sick leave allowance will approximate the employee’s regular basic wage or salary payment.
Section 4. During the period in which the full salary or wages of any employee on disability leave is paid by the City of Vineland, any worker’s compensation payments made to or received by or on behalf of such employee shall be deducted from the amount carried on the payroll for such employee or shall be assigned to the City of Vineland by the insurance carrier or the employee.
Section 5. Whenever the City designated or accepted physician shall report in writing that the employee is fit for duty, such disability leave shall terminate and such employee shall forthwith report for duty.
Section 6. Any employee on injury leave, resulting from injury while on duty, shall continue to accrue sick leave credits while he/she remains on the payroll.
Section 7. Employees may not be gainfully employed during the period of injury leave.
Section 8. An employee shall have the duty to advise the City when the designated City physician has determined that he/she is available for “other light duties”.
ARTICLE 31
LAYOFFS
Section 1. When a layoff because of lack of work in the bargaining unit is imminent, the Utility will notify the Union and immediately arrange a meeting to determine the exact procedure to be followed, giving recognition to all seniority provisions.
Section 2. Any agreement regarding the sale, lease, transfer, takeover, assignment or corporate reorganization that results in the loss of employment of people in positions covered under this agreement, will contain language that provides the displaced workforce the first opportunity to fill any existing, new or additional positions that may be needed or created as a result of said sale, lease, transfer, takeover, assignment or corporate reorganization.
ARTICLE 32
LAYOFF PROCEDURE GUIDE
Section 1. In the event it becomes necessary to reduce the work force in any department because of lack of work, the displacement or movement of employees shall be in accordance with seniority and shall be in the inverse order of the usual progression in that department.
Section 2. Beginning with the classification and the work area where the surplus work force exists, those employees of that classification in that work area having the most seniority shall replace those employees of the same classification having the least seniority in the department. The displaced employees will then be reduced to the next lower classification.
Section 3. This process shall continue until a workforce surplus develops in the lowest classification in the department. If a surplus work force exists in the lowest classification, the surplus employees may displace employees having less service in an equivalent classification in other departments provided they can perform the duties of the job in the opinion of the management subject to the grievance and arbitration procedure.
Section 4. A senior employee can replace a junior employee if he/she has the proper qualifications to perform the duties of the employee he/she is replacing. A displaced employee shall accrue seniority and service in his/her new classification in addition to that earned in his/her higher classification. The seniority or service of an employee transferred to a lower classification shall transcend the seniority or service of other employees in that classification for promotion to the classification from which he/she came.
Section 5. The recall or reinstatement of employees shall be in the inverse order of the above.
ARTICLE 33
MILITARY LEAVE
Section 1. Any regular and permanent employee who is called into active duty or who volunteers for service in the Armed Forces of the United States in the time of war or emergency, as declared by the Congress of the United States, shall be given a leave of absence for and will accumulate seniority during the length of his/her military service. Upon the termination of such service, he/she will be re-employed at rate of pay prevailing for work to which he/she is assigned at the time of his/her re-employment, provided, however, that he/she has not been dishonorably discharged, that there is comparable work available; subject to medical examination at the Utility’s expense, he/she is physically, mentally and emotionally able to perform such work; and he/she makes written application for reinstatement within ninety (90) days after discharge.
Section 2. Any employee required to be absent from work to attend military duty shall not have his/her compensation offset by military wages earned while absent, in accordance with current Civil Service rules and regulations.
Section 3. Any voluntary extension of military service above basic requirements shall cause loss of seniority and job rights of the employee.
Section 4. In order to effect reinstatement, it may be necessary to reassign, transfer or lay off other employees.
Section 5. Military Leave is provided to employees of the City of Vineland Electric Utility in accordance with current Civil Service rules and regulations, and the above are a general outline of those benefits provided that commonly affect employees.
ARTICLE 34
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
Section 1. Any covered employee desiring leave without pay for personal reasons up to a maximum period of six (6) months shall make a request in writing to the Department Head not less than two (2) weeks in advance of the date for which such leave is desired, except in the event of an emergency, setting forth the reasons for the leave and the time requested. Leave may be granted or denied at the discretion of the Utility. Not more than two (2) employees of the Department may be on such leave at any one time. Employees may not be gainfully employed during the period of such leave. Falsification of the reason for leave, or failure to return promptly at the expiration of leave, shall be considered a reason for summary discharge. Leave shall be granted or denied in writing.
Section 2. Family Leave Act
The laws of the State of New Jersey and the federal government with respect to the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 shall be applicable and adhered to together with any amendments thereto.
ARTICLE 35
LEAVE OF ABSENCE - UNION
The Utility will consider a written request for the necessary and reasonable time off, up to a maximum of six (6) weeks annually, without discrimination or loss of seniority rights and without pay, to not more than one (1) employee annually designated by the Union to attend a labor convention or serve in any capacity on other official Union business. Length of time off and reason must be specified. During the period of absence, the employee shall not engage in gainful employment. Failure to comply with this provision shall result in the discharge of the employee involved.
ARTICLE 36
JURY DUTY
A regular employee who loses time from his/her job because of jury duty, as certified by the Clerk of the Court, shall be paid by the Utility the difference between his/her job rate for eight (8) hours and the daily jury fee, subject to the following conditions:
a. When jury service is completed prior to 1:00 p.m., the employee is required to telephone the management’s office and report to work if requested.
b. Time lost because of jury service will not be considered time worked for purposes of computing overtime.
c. The employee must notify his/her supervisor immediately upon receipt of any communication regarding jury service.
d. No reimbursement of wages will be made for jury services during holidays or vacations.
e. At the management’s request, adequate proof must be presented of time served on a jury and the amount received for such services.
f. An employee who voluntarily seeks jury duty in any manner whatsoever shall not be eligible for payments from the Utility.
ARTICLE 37
SAFETY
Section 1. During the term of this Agreement, a Safety Committee composed of representatives from management and labor shall meet at least once every month.
Section 2. Federal, State and Municipal laws and safety rules must be strictly adhered to by the employees and the Utility. Whenever changes in safety rules are to be established, they shall be discussed and agreed to with the Union.
Section 3. Failure by employees to abide by safety regulations will result in disciplinary action.
Section 4. No safety rule shall be promulgated except through this joint committee unless contravened by State or Federal Statute or regulation.
ARTICLE 38
TRANSPORTATION
Section l. Employees working out of headquarters at various points on the Utility’s system shall be transported to and from work on the Utility’s time.
Section 2. An employee requested to use his/her personal transportation shall be paid mileage at the prevailing rate set by the City of Vineland.
ARTICLE 39
GLOVES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SAFETY SHOES AND GLASSES
Section 1. The Utility will furnish working gloves to such employees as regularly need them in the course of their work for the protection of their hands. The Utility shall supply tools and equipment necessary to perform work in which the employees are assigned. The employees receiving them shall be held responsible for their return in good condition, fair wear and tear and reasonable loss expected. The Utility will provide suitable space for storing tools and equipment furnished to employees. The Utility agrees to supply such necessary tools where employees are now using personal tools for Utility work.
Section 2. It is agreed that the Vineland Electric Utility shall supply employees with prescription or non-prescription safety glasses as required. They shall be worn in accordance with safety manual stipulations and will not replace goggles where required. Employees wearing prescription glasses shall verify that their prescription lenses are of the safety type. Details of the prescription safety glass program are available. Safety glasses shall be provided as the prescription reads for lenses only.
Section 3. The City will provide all uniforms for both the Generation and Distribution Divisions as required. The City will provide for maintenance of the uniforms provided to each Unit No. 1 employee.
All Unit No. 1 Generating Station Employees, all Electrician titles, Linemen, Helpers, Laborers, Tree Trimmers, Auto Mechanic titles and/or other classifications determined by management will be provided with PEOSHA Flame Retardant Uniforms as long as they are mandated by Federal and/or State Law.
All other Unit No. 1 employees will be provided with uniforms which will have visible the Utility Logo.
Uniforms may not be worn outside City employment.
Section 4. Safety Shoes. The City shall reimburse employees covered by this agreement an amount not to exceed:
$65.00 in 2000
$65.00 in 2001
$70.00 in 2002
$70.00 in 2003
$75.00 in 2004
per person upon the submission by the employee of paid receipt for safety shoes meeting the requirements and specifications in American National Standard for Personnel Protection-Protective Footwear (ANSI Z41-1983) as evidenced by the attachment of the OSHA/ANSI approval which shall be attached to the receipt. Employees will receive reimbursement for said safety shoes. The safety shoe must be worn as a condition of employment.
Section 5. The City agrees to pay for the application of the Commercial Driver’s License in the amount of thirty-five ($35.00) dollars. The City also agrees to pay the difference between the Commercial Driver’s License and the regular license. This is applicable to only employees that are required by the City to have a Commercial Driver’s License.
Section 6. The City will reimburse the cost for the New Jersey State Pressure Vessel License to each employee who is required to have said license pursuant to the Department of Personnel (Civil Service). It is the employee’s obligation to notify management when the application for said license is being filed and provide management with a copy of same.
ARTICLE 40
ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCIES
Maintenance employees will assist operators to the extent necessary in an emergency. The definition of an emergency is any situation which must be handled immediately by anyone available and last until such time as personnel who normally do the work can be obtained.
ARTICLE 41
SICK LEAVE
Section 1. Service Credit for Sick Leave
a. All employees shall be entitled to sick leave with pay as specified hereunder.
b. Sick Leave for purposes herein is defined to absence from work of an employee because of personal illness by reason of which such employee is unable to perform the usual duties of their position. Sick Leave may be used by employees who are unable to work because of:
1. Personal illness or injury
2. Exposure to contagious disease
3. Care, for a reasonable period of time of a seriously ill member of the employee’s immediate family. “Immediate family” is defined by N.J.A.C. 4A: 1-1.3 as employee’s spouse, child, legal ward, grandchild, foster child, father, mother, legal guardian, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and other relatives residing in the employee’s household. In addition, the City recognizes step-father and step-mother to be part of the immediate family or other near relative.
4. Death in the employee’s immediate family for a reasonable period of time. The employee is limited to a maximum of three (3) days in the case of death of the immediate family.
Section 2. Amount of Sick Leave.
a. An employee commencing employment during the first 15 days of the month shall earn one (1) working day, and an employee commencing employment on or after the 16th day of the month shall earn one-half (½) working day for said month. Thereafter, sick leave with pay shall accrue to any full-time employee on the basis of one (1) working day per month during the remainder of the first calendar year of employment, and fifteen (15) working days in every following calendar year, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:6-1.3, as long as the employee remains actively employed. If the employee terminates, the fifteen (15) working days shall be pro-rated at one and one-fourth (1¼) working days for each full month of employment.
b. Any amount of sick leave allowance not used in any calendar year shall accumulate to the employee’s credit from year to year to be used if and when needed for such purpose.
Section 3. Reporting of Absence on Sick Leave
If an employee is absent for reasons that entitle him/her to sick leave, his/her supervisor or his/her designated representative shall be notified prior to the employee’s starting time, unless extraordinary circumstances prevent the employee from notifying the above-designated person.
a. Failure to so notify his/her supervisor may be cause for denial of the use of sick leave for that absence and constitute cause for disciplinary action.
b. Absence without notice for five (5) consecutive days shall constitute a resignation not in good standing.
Section 4. Verification of Sick Leave
a. An employee who shall be absent on sick leave for five (5) or more consecutive working days may be required to submit acceptable medical evidence substantiating the illness.
b. An employee who has been absent on sick leave for periods totaling more than fifteen (15) days in a twelve (12) month period consisting of periods less than five (5) days shall have his/her sick leave record reviewed by the respective appointing authority and thereafter may be required to submit acceptable medical evidence for any additional sick leave in that year. In cases where an illness is of a chronic or recurring nature causing recurring absences of one day or less only one submission of such proof shall be necessary for a period of six (6) months.
c. The appointing authority may require proof of illness of an employee on sick leave, whenever such requirement appears reasonable. Abuse of sick leave shall be cause for disciplinary action.
d. In case of leave of absence due to exposure to contagious disease, a certification from a City designated physician or physician acceptable to the City shall be required.
e. The appointing authority may require an employee who has been absent because of personal illness, as a condition of his/her return to duty, to be examined, at the expense of the agency, by a physician designated by the appointing authority. Such examination shall establish whether the employee is capable of performing his/her normal duties and that his/her return will not jeopardize the health of other employees.
f. Sick time, used for illness or injury, of more than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, which is verified to the Utility by a physician, shall not be counted in the accumulation of days off requiring a physician’s certificate.
g. During the period of sick leave absence, the employee shall not engage in gainful employment. Failure to comply with this provision may result in discipline, subject to the provisions of Article 11.
Section 5. The City will pay upon the death of an active employee an amount equal to fifty (50%) percent of all accrued and unused sick leave pay up to a maximum of $15,000.00.
ARTICLE 42
PAYMENT FOR ACCRUED SICK LEAVE AT RETIREMENT
Section 1. At retirement, the Utility agrees to pay each employee an amount equal to fifty (50%) percent of all accrued sick leave pay up to a maximum amount of $15,000.
Section 2. This supplemental compensation payment to be paid hereunder shall be computed at the rate of one-half (½) of the eligible employee’s daily rate of pay for each day of earned and unused accumulated sick leave based upon the average annual base compensation received during the last year of his/her employment, prior to the effective date of his/her retirement, provided however, that no such lump sum supplemental compensation payment shall exceed $15,000.
Section 3. Payment shall be made promptly if funds are available, but not later than one (1) month after the final adoption of the budget of the City of Vineland for the year succeeding the effective date of retirement of the employee.
ARTICLE 43
HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS
Section 1. The City of Vineland Electric Utility agrees to provide each employee with health insurance as provided in Section 6 of this Article. The benefits are more specifically provided for and explained in a brochure available to employees.
Note: Existing employees on the payroll on or before January 1, 2000 have health benefits as provided in the “New Jersey State Health Benefits Program”.
Section 2. The City of Vineland Electric Utility agrees to provide a Generic Prescription Program for all employees and their families in accordance with the following conditions:
a. A Federally approved generic equivalent, if available, will be dispensed for the brand name unless your doctor specifically requires a brand name.
b. If you receive a brand name drug when a generic drug is available, you will have to pay the difference in cost between the brand name and the generic, except if the attending physician requires/specifies no substitute for brand name. This cost will not be applied to your deductible. The co-pays are as follows:
$5.00 co-pay for all name brand prescriptions
$3.00 co-pay for all generic brand prescriptions
$0.00 co-pay for all mail order prescriptions
The City of Vineland Electric Utility agrees to add insulin syringes to the current prescription program.
Upon an employee’s retirement (after he/she has had 25 years of service in the City of Vineland Electric Utility of the City of Vineland) he/she shall be entitled to receive all of the then Basic Prescription Coverage Plan as described in this section, provided by the City of Vineland at expense of the City of Vineland for life with the following exceptions:
a. When said retired employee obtains employment having comparable Basic Prescription Coverage as described in Section 2. However, employees shall retain the right to re-enroll in the program of the City of Vineland based on the program available at the time.
b. When the retired employee becomes eligible for a federal or state subsidized prescription/pharmaceutical program.
Section 3. The City of Vineland Electric Utility also provides a Disability Benefit Plan, Retirement Plan, and Life Insurance Plan, which benefits are provided for between the Union and the Utility. A descriptive folder is available to employees.
Section 4. The City of Vineland Electric Utility also provides, at no cost to the employees, Temporary Disability Insurance with the same benefits as provided by the State program. No benefits payable hereunder shall be retained by any employee in a weekly amount which, together with the remuneration he/she continues to receive from the Utility, would exceed his/her regular weekly wages immediately prior to disability.
Section 5. The City of Vineland Electric Utility agrees to provide the customary fee 50/50 New Jersey Dental Plan hereunder. The City also provides group prepaid Dental Plans: Delta-Flagship Health Systems, Inc. and Oracare Dental Plan.
Section 6. The City will continue to assume the full cost of health insurance for all employees who are currently enrolled in the traditional (Patriot X) plan or the HMO (Patriot V) plan and who have been employed with the City of Vineland on or before January 1, 2000. Said employees would also be free to transfer from the Patriot V to the Patriot X plan at no additional cost to them.
The City will continue to assume the full cost of health insurance for new hires (employees hired new to the City after January 1, 2000) who enroll in the HMO (Patriot V) plan. However, said new hires who elect to enroll in the traditional (Patriot X) plan at any point in time will be required to pay the difference between the Patriot V and Patriot X premiums.
Section 7. It is agreed that a Joint Health Care Sub-Committee, formed under the Mayor’s Insurance Committee, comprised of one (1) Unit No. 1 union person and union officers, and open to one (1) employee representative from each of the eight other bargaining units, will be established and meet as needed to explore ways to reduce health care costs while maintaining quality care. The employee will be released from his/her regular shift to attend the meetings. It is understood that the City retains the right to select the insurance carrier or to be self-insured for the provision of any Health and Welfare benefits. The Committee will be effective during the term of this contract for all activities related to the review of provider proposals. Any change in insurance provider that impacts the level of benefits or administrative procedures from those currently in place will be subject to negotiation. The City also agrees to reopen the issue of medical insurance for employees that retire in the future if there is a change in insurance carriers.
ARTICLE 44
BULLETIN BOARDS
The Union may install a bulletin board on the Utility’s premises for the posting of notices relating to Union meetings and official business only. Posted notices shall be signed by an elected or appointed official of the Union. Shop Stewards shall be responsible for all correspondence posted on the Union Bulletin Board. Union Bulletin Boards shall be maintained in a neat and orderly fashion by the Shop Stewards.
ARTICLE 45
PAY DAY & SAVINGS ACCOUNT DEDUCTIONS
Section 1. The normal pay day shall be each Friday. Pay will be distributed at established periods for the various departments. Employees coming in for their pay on their own time will be paid at their regular place of work and from the normal disburser.
Section 2. The Utility agrees to administer weekly payroll deduction plans for savings accounts in accordance with such rules as may be issued by the Comptroller of the City of Vineland.
Section 3. The City will provide an opportunity for members of IBEW Unit No. 1 to join a Credit Union. This will be in accordance with the accounting procedures of the Comptroller’s Office.
ARTICLE 46
SUBCONTRACTING
Section 1. Work usually performed by employees in the bargaining unit will not be subcontracted if it will result in loss of employment to the regular employees covered by this Agreement.
Section 2. It is not the intent of the Utility to replace employees in the Unit. Should, however, the Utility have more work than can be handled by unit employees, it shall have the right to subcontract. Furthermore, it shall have this right in the event it lacks equipment or manpower qualified, available and willing to do the job.
Section 3. Whenever the Utility plans to contract out a portion of a work project, the intention shall be made known in writing to the Union designee of the affected division before effecting the contract.
ARTICLE 47
FUNERAL LEAVE
Employees shall be granted special leave with pay in the event of death in the employee’s immediate family of up to three (3) days. “Immediate family” shall be defined as spouse, father, mother, sister, brother, children, grandfather, grandmother, great grandfather, great grandmother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandchildren and grandparents and great grandparents of the spouse. Further, to be eligible for use of funeral leave, the employee must attend the funeral services.
ARTICLE 48
WAGES AND CLASSIFICATION
Section 1. The Utility agrees to make effective the following wage increases:
a. Effective January 2, 2000, an employee’s base wage as paid on January 1, 2000, shall be increased by 4.25% for the year 2000;
b. Effective December 31, 2000, an employee’s base wage as paid on December 30, 2000, shall be increased by 3.00%;
c. Effective July 1, 2001, an employee’s base wage as paid on June 30, 2001, shall be increased by 2.00%;
d. Effective December 30, 2001, an employee’s base wage as paid on December 29, 2001, shall be increased by 3.5% for the year 2002;
e. Effective December 29, 2002, an employee’s base wage as paid on December 28, 2002, shall be increased by 3.75% for the year 2003;
f. Effective January 4, 2004, an employee’s base wage as paid on January 3, 2004, shall be increased by 3.75% for the year 2004.
Section 2. The specific wages to be paid employees covered by this Agreement shall be the rates and schedules set forth in “EXHIBIT A” attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Section 3. The Utility will provide a 2% incentive raise above the current wage rate for those employees obtaining a Gold Seal License as required.
ARTICLE 49
SUPPLEMENTS
As of the effective date of this Agreement, all approved written supplements form a part of this Agreement and are subject to all the terms and conditions thereof.
ARTICLE 50
TERM OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement, when signed by the UTILITY and approved by the INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, shall become effective January 1, 2000, and shall remain in effect through December 31, 2004, and from year to year thereafter, unless sixty (60) days prior to the current expiration date, either of the parties hereto notifies the other party at interest in writing of its desires to amend or terminate the Agreement. Negotiations may be reopened upon 90 days notice provided both parties agree during the term of this contract. The City agrees to pay for the entire cost of the contract.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused these presents to be duly executed by their proper officials the day and year first above written.
CITY OF VINELAND INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS - LOCAL 210
BY: BY:
MAYOR PRESIDENT
MUNICIPAL CLERK BUSINESS MANAGER
NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE: NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE:
APPENDIX “A” VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. LINEMAN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
1. An apprentice lineman shall, within one (1) year after becoming an apprentice, enroll in an approved training course (N.U.S. or similar) which shall be taken on the employee’s own time and without additional compensation. The Utility agrees to advance the payment of any tuition cost or fee which is charged in order to take the course. The employee agrees and authorizes the Utility to initiate a weekly payroll deduction from the employee’s pay in an amount equal to the tuition cost or fee paid by the Utility to be deducted on a prorated basis over the length of the course. Upon satisfactory completion of the course or any part thereof by the employee and the submission of satisfactory evidence of successful completion of the course or a particular part to the Utility, the Utility agrees to refund to the employee any tuition cost or fee that has been deducted from his/her weekly payroll as provided for above. In the event an employee is removed from the Lineman Apprentice Program by action of the Utility, the Utility agrees to refund any sums which had been deducted to the date of removal. If, however, the employee voluntarily terminates his/her participation in the Lineman Apprenticeship Program or discontinues taking the approved training course, the Utility shall not be required to refund any monies therefor deducted from the employee’s pay and any additional tuition cost or fee payable shall be payable by the employee. The contents of such course shall be approved jointly by the Utility and Local Union No. 210, I.B.E.W.
2. The Lineman Apprentice Program shall provide for a normal movement from entrance to final step within a period of four (4) years, unless advancement in the program has been delayed by the Utility or Joint Training Committee who will evaluate each advancement step of an employee. Management reserves the right to make the final determination if any employee is qualified to advance in the program.
In the event an employee receives an unfavorable evaluation and is delayed in his/her advancement step, then in that event, the Utility agrees to provide the employee with a statement of reasons why his evaluation was unfavorable subject to grievance.
Evaluations shall be made every three (3) months of an Apprentice Lineman. These evaluations shall be made by the Joint Training Committee who will consult with Work Leaders and Journeyman Lineman of the crews in which the Apprentice has been working.
3. For the first six months, an apprentice’s overtime will be charged to the groundhand overtime list. He/She may be called in as a helper or an apprentice depending on the job or emergency situation.
4. Apprentices shall be rotated as often as practicable in order to offer varied experiences to the individual.
5. Quarterly meetings shall be held between the Utility and the Union for the purpose of discussing problems that arise in the administration of the apprenticeship program.
6. Apprentices shall not handle or work on hot primary circuits during their first year of apprenticeship.
7. Employees or new hirees shall be prequalified before being admitted to the Lineman Apprenticeship Program. After a one-year period, any apprentice who is unqualified to continue in the apprenticeship shall be removed from the program.
8. An employee’s line of progression in the line department shall be Groundhand, Apprentice Lineman (Lineworker-Helper), Lineman, and Work Leader.
9. Apprentice time may be extended if any employee has lost time due to prolonged illness or injury. However, seniority as a lineman shall not be lost when said apprentice becomes a lineman and his/her seniority position shall be so adjusted at that time.
Note: Please refer to “Appendix C” for modifications.
APPENDIX “B”
VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. DISTRIBUTION DIVISION ELECTRICAL MECHANIC APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
A. Lines of Progression
1. The normal line of progression for the Electrical Mechanic Group shall be as follows:
a. Electrician Mechanic Helper, E.U.
b. Electrician Trainee, E.U.
c. Sr. Electrician, E.U.
d. Work Leader-Electric Mechanic
2. The normal line of progression for the Meter Group shall be as follows:
a. Electric Meter Worker
b. Electric Meter Repairer
c. Electric Meter and Relay Mechanic
d. Work Leader-Electric Mechanic
B. Initiation of Apprenticeship Program
The Apprenticeship Program will be initiated at the discretion of Management by Job Posting Procedure. Once an applicant is selected, the candidate will be expected to progress through the apprenticeship program to the journeyman level. There will be no room for stagnation of an apprentice in the program. If an apprentice is unable to progress to the next level of the program, then the apprentice will be removed from the program and returned to his/her former classification.
C. Apprenticeship Training
The apprenticeship training will consist of approved training modules similar to NUS and Tampa Electric programs presently in use and will be supplemented by specific vendor training as determined by Management. The inclusion of additional training modules, or changes in the sequence of the training modules, to enhance the effectiveness of these programs shall be made by mutual agreement between Management and the Union. An Electrician Trainee shall progress to Sr. Electrician by successful completion of a five year program. An Electric Meter Repairer shall progress to Electric Meter and Relay Mechanic by successful completion of a four year program.
D. General Requirements
1. The Utility shall post job openings for the purpose of selecting qualified candidates and initiating the apprenticeship program.
2. Candidates selected from outside of the Distribution Division may be required to complete remedial training before being admitted into the apprenticeship program.
3. Before being promoted to a higher position, the apprentice shall acquire the skills necessary to meet the requirements of the position. This shall be accomplished by a formal training and evaluation program agreed to by the Utility and Union.
4. Apprentices will be trained to work in either the Electrician Group or the Meter Group and will be expected to perform work as certified at each level of their training.
5. Once an apprenticeship is initiated, the employee shall be expected to complete the apprenticeship in its entirety and in a timely fashion.
6. There is no provision in the apprenticeship programs for stagnation. If an employee does not desire to continue through completion, or is unable to continue (except in the case of sickness or injury), or is removed from the program due to poor performance, the apprenticeship shall end and the employee shall revert back to his/her previously obtained status.
7. If an employee is removed from an apprenticeship program for reasons other than sickness or injury, the employee’s re-entry into the program shall be at the sole discretion of management.
8. There will be two rates established for Sr. Electrician and Work Leader-Electric Mechanic in the Electrician Group. The higher rate (A) will be paid only to those employees in these titles holding an approved associates degree in Electronics Technology. The lower rate (B) will be paid to employee in these classifications without the approved degree.
E. Specialization
1. The apprenticeship programs shall endeavor to afford employees the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to successfully perform the duties of the new position. However, it shall be recognized by the Utility and the Union that additional specialized training may be required to meet operational needs and that the determination of need and content of such training shall be at the discretion of management.
2. Employees who receive such specialized training shall be expected to train other employees as required.
F. Evaluations
1. Quarterly meetings will be held between representatives of Unit No. 1 and the Utility to evaluate the progress of the apprentice. The apprentice shall receive a progress report detailing his/her progress with a recommendation for advancement to his/her next step or detainment in his/her present step.
2. An employee who is determined to be unqualified shall be removed from the apprenticeship program. The employee shall have the right to grieve such removal. Another candidate shall be selected from the prior posting if removal of candidate is within one year of original posting. Otherwise, the apprenticeship program shall be re-posted.
3. The apprenticeship program may be extended due to illness or injury.
G. Grandfather Clause
Employees presently serving (as of 11/08/96) in the Work Leader and EMRM titles will be grandfathered at their current rate (A) pay level. It is recognized that these five current employees have completed an in-house electronics training course in-lieu of the associates degree requirement. This rate (A) designation will also apply to future promotions to Work Leader classification. This grandfather clause is not applicable to any other employee in other titles. The two employees in the Electrician Group will have their job titles changed to Sr. Electrician (Rate A).
H. Chart
Exhibit “A” of the contract has been modified as follows:
ELECTRICIAN GROUP:
METER GROUP:
 | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | Final |
| | | | | |
| Work Leader-Electric Mechanic | | | | | X |
| Electric Meter & Relay Mechanic | | | | | X |
| Electric Meter Repairer | X | X | X | X | |
| Electric Meter Worker | | | X | X | X |
APPENDIX “C” VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. MODIFICATIONS TO THE l5KV CLASS I AND I RULES
The following modifications to the l5KV Class Gloving Procedures have been agreed upon by the City and the I.B.E.W, Local 210:
I. The following jobs can be safely performed by one (1) Journeyman Lineman in the working position and a qualified man on the ground:
A. Single-Phase Construction.
1. Installing and/or removing cutouts or lightning arrestors.
2. Replacing pin insulators or re-tying primary conductors.
3. Connecting or disconnecting non-current carrying taps (no load), without the use of a jumper.
4. Transfer single-phase construction.
B. Multi-Phase Construction.
1. Refuse blown cutout.
2. Open or close switches, test dead and install line grounds.
II. All other gloving of l5KV shall require two (2) Linemen in the working position with a third qualified man on the ground. (Note: A Lineman-Apprentice being trained in l5KV Gloving Procedures may be the second man in the working position for instructional purposes only. He/She may work single phase 15KV in his/her second six (6) months of his/her second year, and multiphase 15 KV in his/her third and fourth year.)
III. All work performed under the I & I Rules on a pole containing two or more energized primary circuits shall be performed by two (2) Journeyman Linemen in the working position with a third qualified man on the ground.
IV. It is understood that the definition of a “qualified man” shall be a Work Leader, Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter), Journeyman Lineman or an Apprentice in his/her last six (6) months of his/her fourth year.
V. The existing contract schedule and Apprenticeship Program shall be modified as follows:
B. The training in each category shall include but not be limited to the following:
1. Groundhand: On-the-Job-Training (OJT) pertaining to equipment, materials, rigging, C.P.R. and safety. Groundhands to stay on ground (not to work from aerial device.)
2. Lineman-Helper:
First Year: Street lighting, service and secondary work. Experience on aerial trucks, digger truck, setting poles, operating wire puller. All unenergized linework. Experience in pole climbing. Begin approved training course.
Second Year: Qualify for switching, blocking, testing, and grounding lines at each voltage level as apprenticeship training progresses. Begin primary work multiphase 4KV with one Journeyman Lineman in working position at all times and a qualified man on the ground. Second six (6) months of second year. Introduction to I. and I. Procedures. Begin single phase 7.2 KV work, with one Journeyman Lineman in working position at all times and qualified man on ground. Continue approved training courses.
Third Year: Review I. and I. Procedures. Begin work on 15 KV multiphase primary, working with Journeyman Lineman in working position at all times and a qualified man on the ground. A third year Apprentice will be an extra man in crew and may not be used as the third man in a three man crew, or the second man in a two-man crew for 15KV I&I work.
Fourth Year: Apprentice will do all aspects of Line work during normal work hours. Fourth year apprentice will have no other restrictions other than to perform live line work under direction of a Journeyman Lineman or Work Leader Lineman. A fourth year apprentice shall be considered as a qualified man for 15-KV I&I work during the final six (6) months of the fourth year. The apprentice will be averaged into the Lineman Call-out List and will be utilized as a second man to a Journeyman Lineman on trouble calls or scheduled overtime.
C. During the apprenticeship training, each Lineman-Helper will be required to maintain a daily log covering climbing and other training experience. This log shall be initialed daily by the crew leader, and reviewed by the General Foreman at each three month evaluation.
D. Never will the Apprentice to Lineman ratio be more than one to one in a crew for jobs related to live line work.
E. Any work done by an Apprentice in the Line Department will be at the discretion of the Crew Leader in respect to being capable of doing a particular job.
APPENDIX “D” VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. TRANSFORMER AND ELECTROMOBILE EQUIPMENT MAINTAINER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
1. Employee to start program as Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer and progress through this classification to the title of Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer.
2. An Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer shall, within one year after being appointed provisionally to the title, enroll in an approved training course (I.C.S. or similar), which shall be taken on the employee’s own time and without additional compensation. The Utility agrees to advance the payment of any tuition cost or fee which is charged in order to take the course. The employee agrees and authorizes the Utility to initiate a weekly payroll deduction from the employee’s pay in an amount equal to the tuition cost or fee paid by the Utility, to be deducted on a pro-rated basis over the length of the course. Upon satisfactory completion of the course or any part thereof by the employee, and the submission of satisfactory evidence of successful completion of the course or a particular part to the Utility, the Utility agrees to refund to the employee any tuition cost or fee that has been deducted from his/her weekly payroll as provided for above.
In the event an employee is removed from the Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer Apprenticeship Program by action of the Utility, the Utility agrees to refund any sums which have been deducted to the date of removal. If, however, the employee voluntarily terminates his/her participation in the Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer Apprenticeship Program or discontinues taking the approved training course, the Utility shall not be required to refund any monies therefor deducted from the employee’s pay. Any additional tuition cost or fee payable shall be payable by the employee.
The contents of such course shall be approved jointly by the Utility and Local Union No. 210, I.B.E.W.
3. The employee shall progress through the Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer classification per the contract. During this time, the employee will be subject to review by the Utility, and any employee who is not qualified to continue in the program shall be removed from the Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer classification. Evaluations of the Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer shall be made every three (3) months by the Utility. This evaluation will be made in consultation with the Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer in order to secure the necessary information to complete the evaluation.
The salary scale for the Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer classification is shown in “EXHIBIT A”.
4. At the completion of the second year of the Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer classification, should the employee have met all other requirements, but not have completed his course, he/she will not advance beyond the last step of the Assistant Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer classification.
If all requirements are met, including completion of said training course, the employee will advance to the first step of the Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer classification, and will proceed per the I.B.E.W. Contract to the final step of this classification, subject to Civil Service regulations.
LEAD MECHANIC - TRANSFORMER AND
ELECTROMOBILE EQUIPMENT MAINTAINER
I. FOREWORD
A. The Electric Distribution Division presently has two Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainers. The respective areas of responsibilities of these two positions are not totally independent and very often these two mechanics are required to work together to accomplish a specific task.
B. There is no work leader assigned in this group. Also they share general responsibility for inventory control, safeguarding of equipment, and in general housekeeping. In order for these two mechanics to work together in an efficient and effective manner, often there are times one of the mechanics must work in a lead role.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES
A. The lead mechanic shall be responsible for determining the most appropriate work methods and techniques.
B. He/She shall be responsible for shop organization.
C. The lead mechanic shall be responsible and accountable for coordinating shop purchases and inventories in response to general and specific needs. He/She shall insure adequate and sufficient supplies are on hand for the night shift mechanic’s scheduled work.
D. He/She shall be responsible for maintaining repair records and insuring all vehicles meet Motor Vehicle Division requirements.
E. The lead mechanic shall be normally assigned to the day shift.
F. He/She shall be required to work overtime in the event of vital equipment failure.
III. QUALIFICATIONS
A. Before being considered for lead mechanic, the employee shall have a minimum of two years experience in the position of Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer or equivalent experience.
B. The employee shall have demonstrated a desire to lead by example and be willing to help others improve their mechanical technique.
C. The employee must have demonstrated his/her dedication to the Utility as evidenced by his/her absentee record, overtime response record, and overall performance record.
IV. IMPLEMENTATION
A. The assigning of a lead mechanic shall be on a permanent basis. The satisfactory performance of these additional duties shall become a requirement for the continuation of employment in the classification of Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer.
V. COMPENSATION
A. The compensation for the assignment of lead mechanic shall be $.50 per hour of the current top rate for Transformer and Electromobile Equipment Maintainer.
APPENDIX “E” VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. WAGE INEQUITY - TREE CREW
1. Revise the training program to take an entry level Tree Trimmer to the final step of Tree Climber. New personnel must progress through the training to the final step or be removed.
2. Establishment of a new rate schedule:
| | | 6 Months | Final |
| Work Leader - Tree Crew | | | X | X |
| | | | |
| | 1 Year | 1 Year | Final |
| Tree Climber | | X | X | X |
| | | | |
| 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | |
| Tree Trimmer | X | X | X | |
3. Groundhands are to stay on the ground (they are not to work from aerial device).
4. Training:
First Year - Tools, safety, chipper operation, aerial truck operation, secondary line clearance.
Second Year - Trim primary training under direction of a Tree Climber.
Third Year - Begin tree climbing training.
Fourth and Fifth Year - Perform Tree Climber work.
Example: Tree Climber and Tree Trimmer can trim secondary and 4-KV circuits as a two man crew. There would be no upgrading for standby time. A Tree Trimmer assigned to trim a 13.2-KV circuit with a Tree Climber or a Work Leader as a two-man crew would be subject to upgrade to the first step of Tree Climber. A Tree Trimmer called out to do Tree Climber work would subject to an upgrade for hours paid.
APPENDIX “F” VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. VENDOR TRAINING PROGRAM
This is considered a “Pilot Program”.
I. INTRODUCTION:
A Pilot Program to test the efficiency of a formal Vendor Training Program for all Operations employees at the Vineland Power Plant is presented below in outline form.
This proposal grew out of a petition by the IBEW Local 210 during contract negotiations in 1990-1991. A sub-committee was formed and it was decided that a pilot study program consisting of Firemen II Trainees (a total of three (3) employees) would be trained exhaustively and carefully evaluated.
II. LIST OF ACCEPTABLE VENDOR SCHOOLS:
a. Clever-Brooks, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
b. Bailey School, Wycliff, Ohio
c. Westinghouse, (various locations)
d. General Electric, Schnectady, New York
III. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
With the exception of new employees, all Operations employees will be grandfathered; this means that they will only attend Vendor Training on a voluntary basis and monitoring or evaluation controls established for new employees or trainees will not apply to them (grandfathered employees).
IV. TIMETABLE
Boiler Trainees: Minimum training time @ 480 hours.
2 weeks school
Balance - On the job training
Helper Trainees: Minimum training time @ 480 hours.
2 weeks school
Balance - On the job training
APPENDIX “G” VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. REPAIRER, E.U. AND INSTRUMENT REPAIRER, E.U. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. When Management determines the need to fill a position in the repairer category, the Utility shall post job openings for the purpose of selecting a qualified candidate and initiating the program.
2. The program starts at the classification of Repairer, E.U. and progresses through the classification of Sr. Repairer, E.U. and likewise, Instrument Repairer, E.U. progresses through the classification of Sr. Instrument Repairer, E.U.
3. The Repairer, E.U. and Instrument Repairer, E.U. Apprentice Program shall provide for normal movement from an entrance level step of Repairer or Instrument Repairer to the final step of the Senior classification within a period of not less than four (4) years or more than six (6) years.
4. Candidates selected may be required by management to complete remedial training before being admitted into the program.
5. Once an Apprenticeship is initiated, the Trainee shall be expected to complete the apprenticeship program in its entirety and in a timely fashion (See Paragraph 3).
There is no provision in the apprenticeship program for stagnation. If a Trainee does not desire to continue through to completion, or is unable to continue (except in the case of sickness or injury), or is removed from the program due to poor performance, the apprenticeship shall end and the Trainee shall revert back to his/her previously obtained salary level and title.
6. The training program shall be fully developed by the Utility and Union prior to initiation of the program. The Utility shall administer the program but may seek assistance from a third party, e.g. a training consultant.
7. Training programs shall be comprised of individual modules, each pertaining to a specific task or subject. The training modules shall include self study; in service training and evaluation; demonstration of skills and ability and certification.
Once certified, employees shall perform any work assignments appropriate to the certification.
8. If a Trainee is removed from an apprenticeship program for reasons other than sickness or injury, the employee’s re-entry into the program shall be at the sole discretion of management.
SPECIALIZATION:
1. The apprenticeship program shall endeavor to afford employees the opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the duties of the new position. However, it shall be recognized by the Utility and the Union that additional specialized training may be required to meet operational needs and that the determination of need and content of such training shall be at the discretion of management.
2. Employees who receive such specialized training shall be expected to train other Unit 1 employees as required.
COMPENSATION:
1. Each apprentice program shall consist of four levels of progression. The difference in wages between the top rate of the Trainee’s existing title to the top rate of the next higher title shall be divided into four equal steps, one for each level of progression.
2. The Trainee shall have his/her rate of pay adjusted upon the successful completion of each training level of progression.
3. The Trainee shall be formally promoted to the next higher title upon the successful completion of the training program. An additional posting would not be required and this Trainee would be provisionally appointed to the higher position subject to Civil Service regulations.
4. A Trainee shall either successfully complete the apprenticeship program in its entirety or be reverted back to the salary level and title held before the apprenticeship program was entered.
EVALUATIONS:
1. Meetings will be held between representatives of Unit 1 and management to evaluate the progress of the Trainee. The Trainee shall receive a progress report detailing his/her progress with recommendations for advancement to his/her next step.
2. Any candidate selected into the program, and having already completed some or all of the required training, shall be considered for placement into the level of progression and pay rate associated with such training.
3. Any Trainee who is determined to be unqualified by management shall be removed from the apprenticeship program. The Trainee shall have the right to grieve such removal. Another candidate shall be selected from the prior posting if removal of the unqualified Trainee is within one year of original posting. Otherwise the apprenticeship program shall be re-posted.
SELF-STUDY:
1. Self-study may be comprised of text-books, audio-visual tapes, training aides, etc., and be designed to be performed by the Trainee on his/her own time and schedule.
2. Trainees shall be required to pass written and oral tests on the self-study portion of the module before progressing to In-Service Training.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING:
1. In-Service Training shall consist of supervised on-the-job training. This can be in the actual working environment or at special training workshops.
2. The in-service training shall be designed to supplement the self-study programs by providing practical hands-on experience.
3. Written evaluations shall be completed by the person conducting the In-Service training.
CERTIFICATION:
1. After a Trainee has successfully completed the self-study and in-service training for a particular training module, the Trainee may be required to pass a competency test.
2. When task certification is required, the Trainee shall be required to demonstrate skill in the presence of a managerial representative. Upon successful completion of the competency test, the Trainee shall be formally certified in that particular task or subject and shall be permitted to progress to another training module.
PROBATION:
1. Probation shall occur for any of the following reasons:
a. If the Trainee’s Grade Point Average for all written comprehensive examinations falls below 70% and remains there for one year, the Trainee will be removed from the program.
b. If the Trainee fails a performance evaluation, the Trainee will not be permitted to progress until the Trainee repeats the module and can satisfactorily demonstrate the skills and abilities through a performance evaluation.
2. Probation shall be initiated in writing to the Trainee, with a copy to his/her Supervisor, Shop Steward, Division Superintendent, and the I.B.E.W. Business Manager.
REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF APPRENTICESHIP:
The Trainee is required to satisfactorily complete all training modules and obtain certification for each level of the apprenticeship program prior to advancement to the next level. Once the Trainee completes all four levels of progression, the Trainee will be qualified to be provisionally appointed to the next higher title.
APPENDIX “H” VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY
AND
LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W. OPERATOR/MAINTENANCE CROSS TRAINING ONLY AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES ON THE PROPERTY AS OF JANUARY 1, 2000 1. Employees holding Operator classifications of Relief Control Room Operator, Relief Turbine Operator, Boiler Operator, Auxiliary Operator and Helper and employees holding Maintenance classifications of Repairer, Senior Repairer, Instrument Repairer and Senior Instrument Repairer, Generating Station Technician, Electric Mechanic Helper, E.U., Electrician, E.U., Sr. Electric Mechanic, E.U. and Electrical Metering and Relay Mechanic are to be cross-trained employees.
2. It is the City’s intent to schedule all training during normal working hours. The City reserves the right to assign training hours outside of normal working hours with compensation as provided by prevailing Contract language.
3. It is the City’s intent to offer cross-training opportunities to all eligible employees within approximately 3 to 5 years. Training opportunities will be offered on the basis of seniority.
When an employee enters the cross-training program, the City will afford him time needed to complete the Mechanics Maintenance Apprenticeship within 6 years or obtain the Blue Seal License within 4 years.
In the unforeseen event that operational issues arise that affect cross-training opportunities, the City agrees to meet and discuss the issue with the Union.
Performance objectives for the Mechanics Maintenance Apprenticeship Program shall remain the same as they presently exist in Appendix “G”. Performance objectives for the Blue Seal License shall require the employee to become qualified to operate at the following levels.
Completion of: l year of training qualified as an Auxiliary Operator
2 years of training qualified as a Boiler Operator
5 years of training qualified as a Turbine Operator
6 years of training qualified as a Control Room Operator.
Any employee given the opportunity and failing to reach these goals including possession of the Blue Seal in the specified time frame, shall be removed from the cross-training program and forfeit any salary adjustment.
The City has applied for the accelerated Black Seal program. It is currently in the hands of the State’s Office of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Compliance. The City will implement the program as soon as State approval is received.
4. Overtime shall not be paid to an operator when a trained, licensed and qualified maintenance worker WITH PRIOR EXPERIENCE is available on straight time to work in operations during the regular work schedule of said maintenance worker. Likewise, no overtime shall be paid to a maintenance worker when a trained and qualified operator WITH PRIOR EXPERIENCE is available on straight time to perform maintenance.
NOTE: THE INTENT IS NOT TO ASSIGN MAINTENANCE WORKERS TO PERMANENT ROTATING SHIFTS. THE INTENT IS TO UTILIZE THE PERSONNEL ON THE PROPERTY AT THAT TIME.
5. Operator/Maintenance Cross-Trained Rate.
To compensate employees participating in the cross training who have acquired the knowledge, skill and ability to secure an operator license and experience or who have completed the Repairer, E.U. and Instrument Repairer, E.U. Apprenticeship Program they will be entitled to a step increment when assigned to perform work above the maintenance duties as set forth in the New Jersey Department of Civil Service class specification for Boiler Operator for which they have been trained and consistent with the level of training in the Apprenticeship Program in the cross trained category. The step compensation for Operators having successfully completed the requirements at each Apprenticeship Level shall be as follows in lieu of any upgrade pay:
OPERATIONS TO MAINTENANCE:
Level I $.40
Level II $.40
Level III $.40
Level IV $.40
These rates shall be cumulative.
Upon successful completion of Level 4 of the Apprenticeship Program, the employee shall receive a salary adjustment of 50 cents per hour to their base wage and will not receive any additional compensation when assigned to work in a cross-trained category.
MAINTENANCE TO OPERATIONS: (Blue Seal Training Program)
The step increment compensation for Maintenance employees having successfully completed the requirement at each Operator Level shall be as follows in lieu of any upgrade pay:
First 100 Operating hours: - 0 -
101 - 500 Operating hours: $.80
No training compensation after 500 hours and until the employee earns a Black Seal.
501 – 1,500 Operating Hours of training/on duty working hours - $1.60 per hour.
No additional compensation until the employee earns a Blue Seal. Upon earning a Blue Seal, the employee shall receive a salary adjustment of 50 cents per hour to their base wage and will not receive any additional compensation when assigned to work in a cross-trained category.
NOTE: Employees with the Black Seal and required to work as an Auxiliary Operator or Boiler Operator will be paid a value added compensation of *$1.60 per hour for said hours as long as they are part of the training program.
*NOTE: Article 17: Temporary Assignments: This Article does not apply to cross-trained employees receiving the Operator/Maintenance Cross-Trained Rate.
*In accordance with the terms and conditions of Appendix “H” ONLY, “Operator/Maintenance Cross-Training Program”, payment of the cross-trained rate to qualified employees will be in accordance with the following terms:
For up to four hours, four hours of upgrade will be paid. Over four hours, eight hours of upgrade will be paid. This pertains to normal work hours only. In the event that an employee leaves prior to the end of the shift, the employee shall receive upgrade pay only for hours worked.
With regard to overtime, if an employee is functioning in the cross-trained capacity, the cross-trained rate will be applied to his overtime rate.
APPENDIX “I”
VINELAND ELECTRIC UTILITY AND LOCAL UNION 210, I.B.E.W.
SENIOR LINEWORKER (TROUBLESHOOTER)
Distribution Operational Procedure Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) Scheduling
SALARY: $30.50 per hour (1999 Rate)
Although Management reserves the right to determine manpower requirements and scheduling, it is understood that a procedure must be in place in order to ensure goodwill between the parties. If Management determines the need to revise or deviate from this schedule, such changes will be discussed with the Union in advance.
Assuming four (4) Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) positions are created, including one (1) relief position, the following schedule will be established based upon a 28-day rotation. The rotation will occur at 12:01 a.m. every fifth Sunday.
S M T W T F S
T.S.-1 D D D D D
T.S.-2 E E E E E
T.S.-3 D D D D D
Day Shift: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Shift: 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
A Relief Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) will be assigned to fill shift vacancies and will be assigned to a line crew to fill his work week as required. The relief person’s shift can be changed prior to the end of his current shift with no shift change or overtime compensation.
Sr. Lineworkers (Troubleshooters) will be assigned to work their normal shift falling on all holidays unless they are scheduled to be on vacation, their last normal shift before, and their first normal shift after said holiday. In such event of scheduled vacation, the Relief Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) will be assigned to cover this shift when covering for the vacation.
Sr. Lineworkers (Troubleshooters) assigned to TS-1 Shift will be required to respond to trouble call-outs occurring within four (4) hours prior to their scheduled shift. Sr. Lineworkers (Troubleshooters) assigned to TS-2 Shift will be required to respond to call-outs occurring within four (4) hours after their scheduled shift. The Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) scheduled to TS-3 Shift will be required to respond to call-outs occurring within two (2) hours prior and two (2) hours after scheduled shift on Saturday and Sunday.
Trouble calls during the uncovered times on Saturday and Sunday will be handled by an established call-out procedure. The Relief Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) will be included in the Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) call-out category. In the event that additional manpower are required, existing call-out procedures will be followed.
Priority will be given to Lineworkers for temporary assignment as Crew Leader (Article 17 and Article 26) and overtime assignments as Linemen.
Normal progress through Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) will be by way of relief position (Article 13, Section 3).
A Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) shall be a Journeyman Lineman with at least five (5) years experience in classification and in good health. In addition to normal Lineworker duties, a Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) may be assigned to perform above the various types of work:
1. With rubber gloves, protectors, and sleeves, using approved insulating tools:
a. Replacement of lateral, transformer, or sectionalizing fuses. Under storm conditions, a second fuse operation of a single phase open-type cutout will require an additional Journeyman.
b. Operation of disconnect switches.
c. Cutting clear of broken conductors.
d. Lifting of hot line tap connectors.
NOTE: A Lineman may be called to assist when this work requires climbing the pole.
2. With rubber gloves, protectors, and sleeves, utilizing an insulated aerial lift device:
a. Install and remove de-energized taps from open type switch, cutout, or arrestor.
b. Install or remove rubber protective sleeves, blankets, or covers.
c. Perform all work listed in 1 above.
3. Relamp street and customer lights in areas where there is not a high speed traffic hazard (posted limit is less than 45 mph).
4. Relamp traffic signal with Vineland Police Department providing traffic control.
5. Enter substation to take operational readings, check and reset relay targets, block/restore recloser cutoff, stand by for breaker operation via SCADA control.
6. Cut service taps, disconnect, or remove meter for fire or other emergency service call.
7. Restore service taps, connect or set meter for service restoration (cut or restore).
8. Clear small limbs from wires.
9. Run new service drop with assistance from Groundhand.
The above list of assignments is descriptive and is not to be construed as restricting Management’s right to make additional related job assignments.
A Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter), when on shift, will be utilized to respond to outage calls, hit poles, service reconnections, service disconnections, street and traffic light outages or malfunctions, spot checking emergency underground mark-out requests to determine if a mark-out is required, or other Operational Procedures before resorting to the calling out of additional personnel.
HIT POLES: If it is determined that a hit pole needs to be replaced, the Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) will assist with sectionalization and with make ready preparation or service restoration. The Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) may assist or supplement the Line Crew but must remain available for additional service calls.
STORMY WEATHER: Linemen may be assigned to assist Sr. Lineworkers (Troubleshooters) when stormy weather warrants assistance to perform work safely. Management reserves the right to make this assignment.
NOTE: The City does not intend to assign the Sr. Lineworker (Troubleshooter) as a third lineman when a three man crew is required.
Sr. Lineworkers (Troubleshooters) will be required to carry a pager and are required to respond to call-outs between shifts within thirty (30) minutes of being paged. Additional details regarding shifts and overtime assignments will be discussed between the Union and Management. |