Authorized Use of Union Leave Account. The Union will maintain a Union Leave Account for the purpose of enabling the Union Officers, Executive Board Members, or their designees, to attend Union and professional development conferences, seminars and meetings without loss of pay or benefits provided there is an adequate balance in the Union Leave Account. These meetings shall include, but not be limited to grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. Notifications for Union Leave shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Fire Chief, or his designee, at least twelve (12) hours prior to the commencement of Union Leave. When it is not feasible to submit a written notification providing twelve (12) hours’ notice, a verbal notification may be made stating the reason for the short notice, and this verbal notification shall be later confirmed in writing. The Union shall have the right to use shift exchange provisions as set forth in Article 12 for a Union Representative(s) who is authorized for Union Leave. The Union shall be entitled to make payments from the Union Leave Account directly to its members for exchange of time for all hours worked in connection with the time exchange. If the employer is requested by the Union to fill a vacancy which was created by a Union Representative(s) who is authorized for Union Leave then all salaries, wages and overtime pay, if any, incurred in replacing the Union Representative(s) authorized for Union Leave shall be deducted from the Union Leave Account. Authorization for Union Leave shall be limited by the amount available hours in the Union Leave Account.
