Unpaid Leave - Affecting Seniority and Benefits Any employee granted unpaid leave of absence totalling up to twenty (20) working days in any year shall continue to accumulate seniority and all benefits and shall return to her/his former job and increment step. If an unpaid leave of absence or an accumulation of unpaid leaves of absence exceeds twenty (20) working days in any year, the employee shall not accumulate benefits from the twenty-first (21st) day of the unpaid leave to the last day of the unpaid leave but shall accumulate benefits and receive credit for previously earned benefits upon expiration of the unpaid leave.
Benefits While on Leave An employee will continue to receive her/his salary and benefits while on paid leave under this Article. An employee on unpaid leave may arrange to pay the costs required to maintain benefit coverage in accordance with the local provisions of the collective agreement.
SENIORITY AND LAYOFF Section 1. Seniority means the length of continuous service in a bargaining unit position since the last date of hire.