Tapping Technician Training Program. The parties will establish a Joint Committee to develop a Tapping Technician Training program. Employees who hold the classification of a Welder – GC Gas or Welder – GC Gas (In-Service) Welder will continue to maintain Section 305.5 preferential consideration to the Tapping Technician classification and shall be placed at the wage step consistent with the 2008 Agreement with respect to the Tapping Technician. The Joint Committee will determine the length of the Tapping Technician Training Program. Upon completion and approval of program by the JATC, the Company and Union will establish wage progression wage rates for the Tapping Technician position. This shall not change the current wage step placement for Welder – GC Gas or Welder – GC Gas (In-Service). In the event Welder – GC Gas or Welder – GC Gas (In-Service) employees decline the promotion to a Tapping Technician vacancy the parties agree to provide promotional opportunities to internal GC Gas employees as follows: GC Gas employees in the Construction Operator - GC Gas, Senior Construction Operator – GC Gas and Backhoe Operator classifications will be given preferential consideration for the training program based on Company seniority. When an employee from this group is promoted to a Tapping Technician vacancy the employee will be placed into the wage step of the Tapping Technician classification pursuant to Section 304.1 (b). Note: Exhibit II General Construction Promotion-Demotion Geographic Areas identify Gas Construction Technical Classifications as Area 8 (Promotion – Demotion Area System-Wide).
