Xxxxxxx by Seniority. Employees with the greatest seniority shall bid first. • Bidding by proxy will be allowed, including signing for extra work. Employees bidding by proxy must designate their proxy in writing to the Supervisor of Transportation no later than two (2) working days prior to bid day. • A driver who is on a medical leave of absence at the time of the first bid will be permitted to bid if the driver's expected date of return is within 120 calendar days after the bid date. Until the driver returns from the leave of absence or the expiration of such 120 day period, whichever occurs first, the route or position will be filled by a relief or substitute driver. If the absent driver fails to return at the expiration of such leave or 120 day period, whichever occurs first, the driver shall lose the bid position, which shall then be reIbid as a permanent vacancy. • A driver who goes on medical leave of absence during the school year and who returns from such leave during the same school year shall have the right to resume his/her bid route and any bid kindergarten/middle route at the time the leave of absence was granted. During such leave, the vacant position will not be posted and may be filled by a relief or substitute driver. If the absent driver fails to return at the expiration of such leave or 120 day period, whichever occurs first, the driver shall lose the bid position, which shall then be reIbid as a permanent vacancy. • If the driver returns after the expiration of the leave or the 120 calendar day period, he/she will be assigned as a substitute driver at the hourly rate of pay earned when he/she was granted the leave.
