Union Paid Time/Grievances. The Company agrees to permit representatives of the Union to meet and confer with management representatives in grievance meetings without loss of pay during regularly scheduled working hours. Additionally, there shall be no loss in pay for reasonable time spent traveling to and from grievance meetings. Except as provided in section 29.01, (Union stewards), an authorized Union representative may take time off for Union activity during his or her scheduled working hours if excused in advance by non-bargaining unit Company management with at least 10 working days prior advance notice. Not more than six (6) employees shall be on leave of absence under the provisions of this Article at any one time. An unpaid leave of absence granted under this Article shall automatically terminate if at any time the employee on leave engages in any gainful occupation other than as a representative of the Union, or if the employee ceases to function as an authorized Union representative. A Union representative upon return from an excused absence or leave of absence shall be reinstated in the same job or in a job generally similar to that in which the employee was engaged last prior to the absence, subject however, to the provisions of this Agreement relating to layoffs. The employee shall be placed on the payroll at the rate then in effect for this assignment and for the period of service which was credited for wage purposes at the start of the leave of absence. However, a drug test may be required. No physical or other examination shall be required as a requisite of reinstatement. Where the Company finds that an obvious physical or mental condition exists, it reserves the right to have such person examined to determine job placement or fitness for work
