COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
JANUARY 14, 2004
ROCKY MOUNTAIN STEEL XXXXX
AND
UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA
LOCAL 2102
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 - APPLICATION OF AGREEMENT ........................................................................ 2
Section 1 Purpose and Intent............................................................................... 2
Section 2 Administration................................................................................... 2
Section 3 Nondiscrimination................................................................................ 2
Section 4 Reference to Gender.............................................................................. 2
ARTICLE 2 - RECOGNITION ..................................................................................... 3
Section 1 Exclusive Bargaining Agent ...................................................................... 3
Section 2 Employees Covered ............................................................................... 3
Section 3 Dispute of Coverage ............................................................................. 3
ARTICLE 3 - MANAGEMENT RIGHTS ............................................................................... 4
ARTICLE 4 - UNION MEMBERSHIP ................................................................................ 5
Section 1 Membership ...................................................................................... 5
Section 2 Indemnity Clause ................................................................................ 5
Section 3 SOAR & PAC Check-Off ............................................................................ 5
Section 4 Rights of All Employees ......................................................................... 6
ARTICLE 5 - PLANT-WIDE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE ............................................................... 7
Section 1 Committee Members ............................................................................... 7
Section 2 Jurisdiction .................................................................................... 7
Section 3 Company Paid Meetings ........................................................................... 7
ARTICLE 6 - SAFETY AND HEALTH ............................................................................... 8
Section 1 Objectives and Obligations of the Parties ....................................................... 8
Section 2 Protective Devices, Wearing Apparel and Equipment ............................................... 9
Section 3 Disputes ........................................................................................ 9
Section 4 Joint and Safety and Health Committee ........................................................... 10
Section 5 Medical Records ................................................................................. 11
Section 6.................................................................................................... 12
ARTICLE 7 - SENIORITY ....................................................................................... 13
Section 1 Departments ..................................................................................... 13
Section 2 Seniority Computation ........................................................................... 14
Section 3 Promotions, Layoffs and Recalls ................................................................. 15
Section 4 Definition of Permanent and Temporary Vacancy ................................................... 17
Section 5 Permanent Vacancies and Transfer Rights ......................................................... 17
Section 6 Temporary Vacancies ............................................................................. 19
Section 7 Plant Wide Layoff and Pool Jobs ................................................................. 20
Section 8 Transfer Within or from One Local Union to Another Local Union .................................. 21
Section 9 Promotion to Supervisory Position ............................................................... 22
Section 10 Break in Service ................................................................................ 22
Section 11 Supervisors ..................................................................................... 23
Section 12 Leaves of Absence ............................................................................... 23
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ARTICLE 8 - ADJUSTMENT OF GRIEVANCES ........................................................................ 25
Section 1 Purpose ......................................................................................... 25
Section 2 Procedure ....................................................................................... 25
Section 3 Miscellaneous ................................................................................... 26
Section 4 Expedited Arbitration ........................................................................... 27
ARTICLE 9 - DISCHARGE CASES ................................................................................. 30
Section 1 Provisionally Discharged ........................................................................ 30
Section 2 Discharge Hearing ............................................................................... 30
ARTICLE 10 - JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND RATES OF PAY ........................................................... 32
Section 1 Rates of Pay .................................................................................... 32
Section 2 Changes in Job Classifications, Descriptions, or lines of progression ........................... 32
Section 3 Employee's Average Wage ......................................................................... 32
Section 4 Mill Mechanical and Electrical Technician - Standard Rates of Pay ............................... 33
Section 5 Leadman Compensation ............................................................................ 33
Section 6 Break-in Compensation ........................................................................... 33
Section 7 Temporary Promotion .............................................................................
ARTICLE 11 - HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME ..................................................................... 34
Section 1 Normal Hours of Work ............................................................................ 34
Section 2 Starting Time ................................................................................... 35
Section 3 Conditions Under Which Overtime Rates Shall Apply ............................................... 35
Section 4 Reporting Pay ................................................................................... 35
Section 5 Union-Related Activity .......................................................................... 35
Section 6 Notice for Scheduled Ten (10) Hour Shifts and Twelve (12) Hour Shifts ........................... 36
Section 7 Overtime Pay Clarification ...................................................................... 36
Section 8 Continuous Presence on the Job for Water Department Employees.................................... 36
ARTICLE 12 - SHIFT, SUNDAY AND SEVENTH DAY PREMIUM .......................................................... 38
Section 1 Shift Definitions ............................................................................... 38
Section 2 Amount of Hourly Premiums ....................................................................... 38
Section 3 Sunday Premium .................................................................................. 38
Section 4 Seventh Day Premium ............................................................................. 38
ARTICLE 13 - SHORT WEEK BENEFITS ............................................................................ 39
Section 1 Eligibility ..................................................................................... 39
Section 2 Days Deemed Hours Worked ........................................................................ 39
Section 3 Payroll Week .................................................................................... 39
Section 4 Benefit Amount .................................................................................. 39
ARTICLE 14 - PRIOR CF&I SERVICE ............................................................................. 40
ARTICLE 15 - HOLIDAYS ....................................................................................... 41
Section 1 Days ............................................................................................ 41
Section 2 Holiday Pay ..................................................................................... 41
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Section 3 Vacation and Holiday Pay ........................................................................ 42
ARTICLE 16 - VACATIONS ...................................................................................... 43
Section 1 Vacation Eligibility and Benefit ................................................................ 43
Section 2 Scheduling of Vacations ......................................................................... 43
Section 3 Vacation Pay Computation ........................................................................ 44
ARTICLE 17 - JURY AND WITNESS SERVICE ....................................................................... 45
ARTICLE 18 - BEREAVEMENT PAY ................................................................................ 46
ARTICLE 19 - MILITARY SERVICE ............................................................................... 47
ARTICLE 20 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY ........................................................................ 48
Section 1 Introduction .................................................................................... 48
Section 2 Alcohol and Drug Policies and Procedures ........................................................ 49
ARTICLE 21 - WELFARE BENEFITS INSURANCE ..................................................................... 54
ARTICLE 22 - SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT LEAVE .................................................................... 59
ARTICLE 23 - PENSIONS ....................................................................................... 62
ARTICLE 24 - CONTRACTING OUT ................................................................................ 64
Section 1 General Production & Services ................................................................... 64
Section 2 New Construction/Major Reconstruction ........................................................... 64
Section 3 Warranty and/or Manufacturer's Guarantee ........................................................ 64
Section 4 Emergency Situation ............................................................................. 64
Section 5 Contracting-Out Committee ....................................................................... 64
Section 6 District Director/Company Union Relations Representative ........................................ 64
Section 7 Notification for Contracting Out ................................................................ 64
ARTICLE 25 - PROHIBITION OF STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS ............................................................ 65
ARTICLE 26 - SAVINGS CLAUSE ................................................................................. 66
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ARTICLE 27 - PAST LOCAL WORKING CONDITIONS, PRACTICES, WORK RULES AND PRIOR AGREEMENTS ...................... 67
Section 1 Past Local Working Conditions, Practices and Work Rules ......................................... 67
Section 2 Prior Agreements ................................................................................ 67
Section 3 Disciplinary Records ............................................................................ 67
Section 4 Local Working Conditions ........................................................................ 67
Section 5 Attendance Policy ............................................................................... 67
Section 6 Employee Records ................................................................................ 68
ARTICLE 28 - INTRAPLANT COMBINATIONS OR TRANSFERS ........................................................... 69
Section 1 Seniority Claims ................................................................................ 69
Section 2 Seniority Claims Resolution ..................................................................... 69
ARTICLE 29 - NEW FACILITIES ................................................................................. 70
Section 1 Xxxxxxx Procedure ............................................................................... 70
Section 2 New Facility Training ........................................................................... 70
ARTICLE 30 - AUTOMATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE ............................................................ 71
ARTICLE 31 - BULLETIN BOARDS ................................................................................ 72
ARTICLE 32 - SUCCESSORSHIP .................................................................................. 73
ARTICLE 33 - SHUT DOWN ALLOWANCE ............................................................................ 74
ARTICLE 34 - PROFIT PARTICIPATION ........................................................................... 76
ARTICLE 35 - 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN ............................................................................ 79
ARTICLE 36 - NEUTRALITY ..................................................................................... 80
ARTICLE 37 - INVESTMENT COMMITMENT .......................................................................... 84
ARTICLE 38 - JOINT EFFORTS .................................................................................. 85
ARTICLE 39 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS ............................................................................. 86
ARTICLE 40 - MISCELLANEOUS .................................................................................. 87
Section 1 Termination ..................................................................................... 87
Section 2 Mailing of Notices .............................................................................. 87
APPENDIX A Summary of Active Health Care Benefits
APPENDIX B Lines of Progression
APPENDIX C Educational Assistance
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APPENDIX D New Employee Orientation
APPENDIX E Apprenticeship
APPENDIX F Qualifications
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AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated September 10, 2005, between Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx,
hereinafter referred to as the "Company," and UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA, on
behalf of Local Union 2102, hereinafter referred to as the "Union," providing
for cooperative human relations at the Company's Pueblo, Colorado Operations.
ARTICLE 1 - APPLICATION OF AGREEMENT
Section 1. Purpose and Intent. It is the intent and purpose of the parties
hereto to set forth herein the basic agreement between them in respect to rates
of pay, hours of work, conditions of employment, and the method of adjusting
alleged grievances to be observed between the parties hereto.
Section 2. Administration. The representatives of the Company and the Union
shall continue to provide each other with such advance notice as is reasonable
under the circumstances on all matters of importance in the administration of
the terms of the Agreement. The Company will supply on a monthly basis notice to
the Union of all intraplant transfers, new hires, layoffs, discharges,
terminations, resignations, leaves of absence, sick leave, retirements or
deaths.
Section 3. Nondiscrimination. It is the continuing policy of the Company and the
Union that the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied to all Employees
without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age,
disability, handicap, or status as Vietnam Era and Disabled Veterans or any
other legally protected status.
The Company shall take necessary steps to provide reasonable accommodation for
workers with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Should such accommodation have an effect on other bargaining unit members, the
Company shall immediately bring the matter to the attention of the Union. The
Company, Union and the Employee requiring accommodation will then take up the
issue with the objective being a satisfactory resolution for all parties
involved subject to Article 8 Grievance Procedure. The Company and the Union
both recognize the legal obligation placed upon the Company by the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
Section 4. Reference to Gender. Throughout this Agreement, in referring to
Employees, the masculine gender is used for convenience only and shall refer
both to males and females.
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ARTICLE 2 - RECOGNITION
Section 1. Exclusive Bargaining Agent. In accordance with and subject to the
provisions of the National Labor Relations Act, the Company recognizes the Union
as the exclusive bargaining agency of the production and maintenance Employees
and the Water Department Employees (with the exceptions hereinafter specified in
this Article) of the Company in the Pueblo, Colorado, plant for the purpose of
collective bargaining in respect to rates of pay, hours of work and conditions
of employment.
Section 2. Employees Covered. The term, "Employees," as used in this Agreement
shall not include: executives, supervisors, technical, office and clerical
Employees, plant protection, first aid providers and nurses, mill office clerks,
professional Employees, drafters, chemists, quality assurance and metallurgical
department Employees, C & W Railway and Plant transportation facility Employees
at Pueblo, Colorado.
Section 3. Dispute of Coverage. Any differences which shall arise between the
Company and the Union, as to whether or not any individual Employee is or is not
included within the term Employee as hereinabove defined, shall be handled as a
grievance in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article 8 of this
Agreement.
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ARTICLE 3 - MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Except as specifically provided for in this Agreement, the Employer retains all
rights and functions vested in it as owner and operator of its properties and
business including, but not limited to, the Management of the Plant, the
determination of the size of the work force, the right to establish reasonable
and job-related qualifications and to determine whether Employees are qualified,
the direction of the work force, the right to hire, suspend or discharge for
just cause, the maintenance of discipline and the assignment of Employees to
jobs, and the performance of all other functions inherent in the administration,
management, control and/or direction of the business.
Management shall not discriminate against any Employee or applicant for
employment because of his membership in, or lack of membership in the Union or
lawful activity on behalf of the Union.
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ARTICLE 4 - UNION MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership.
A. Condition of Employment. Each Employee who on the date of this Agreement is a
member of Local Union 2102 in good standing, and each Employee who becomes a
member after that date shall, as a condition of employment, maintain his
membership in the Union. Each Employee hired to perform bargaining unit work on
or after the date of this Agreement shall, as a condition of employment,
commencing on the 30th day following the beginning of such employment or the
date of this Agreement, whichever is later, acquire and maintain membership in
the Union. The foregoing provisions shall be effective in accordance with, and
consistent with the application of, provisions of federal and state law.
B. Loss of Membership. For the purposes of this Section, an Employee shall not
be deemed to have lost his membership in the Union in good standing until the
International Secretary Treasurer of the Union shall have determined that the
membership of such Employee in the Union is not in good standing and shall have
given the Company a notice in writing.
C. Checkoff. Every pay period, the Company will deduct from the pay of each
Employee who so authorizes in writing an amount equal to 1.3% of said member's
total earnings during the month provided that monthly dues shall not be less
than $ 5.00 and provided further that monthly dues shall not be more than 2.5
times the member's average hourly earnings. Such average earnings shall be
defined and calculated by the definition and instructions as established by the
International Union.
In cases of earnings insufficient in any such calculation pay period to cover
deduction of dues, the dues shall be calculated on the basis of and deducted
from earnings in the next pay period in which there are sufficient earnings,
subject to present provisions and practices as to accumulation of dues. The
Company will deduct initiation fees and assessments as designated by the
International Secretary-Treasurer. No deduction shall be made if the Company has
not been furnished an authorization for such deduction by the individual
Employee. After deductions from each individual Employee's paycheck, a total
amount of the deductions shall be remitted to the Union.
Section 2. Indemnity Clause. The Union shall indemnify the Company and hold it
harmless against any and all suits, claims, demands and liabilities that shall
arise out of or by reason of any action that shall be taken by the Company for
the purpose of complying with the foregoing provisions of this Article, or in
reliance on any list, notice or assignment which shall have been furnished to
the Company under any of such provisions.
Section 3. SOAR & PAC Check-Off.
A. The Company will implement a dues and PAC deduction program for retirees who
are members of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) who have
submitted authorization for such deductions from their pension on a form
acceptable to the Company.
B. The Company will implement a PAC deduction program for active employees who
have submitted authorization for such deductions from their wages on a form
acceptable to the
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Company, and shall allow authorized Union officials to so solicit within the
Plant for such contributions and/or authorizations.
C. The Union shall indemnify and save the Company harmless against any and all
claims, demands, suits, or other forms of liability that shall arise out of or
by reason of action taken or not taken by the Company for the Purpose of
complying with any of the provisions of these understandings, or in reliance on
any list, notice or assignment furnished under any of such provisions.
Section 4. Rights of All Employees.
The purpose of the Company and the Union in entering into this labor contract is
to set forth their agreement so as to promote orderly and peaceful relations
with the employees, to achieve uninterrupted operations and to achieve the
highest level of employee performance consistent with safety, good health and
sustained effort. The Company and the Union encourage the highest possible
degree of friendly, cooperative relationships at all levels and with and between
all employees. The officers of the Company and the Union realize that this goal
depends on more than words in a labor agreement, that it depends primarily on
attitudes between people in their respective organizations and at all levels of
responsibility. They believe that proper attitudes must be based on full
understanding of and regard for the respective rights and responsibilities of
both the Company and the Union. They believe also that proper attitudes are of
major importance where day-to-day operations and administration of the labor
agreement demand fairness and understanding.
They believe these attitudes can be encouraged best when it is made clear that
Company and Union officials, whose duties involved negotiation of this labor
agreement, are not anti-union or anti-company, but are sincerely concerned with
the best interests and well-being of the business and all employees.
These principles shall best be displayed by guaranteeing that each Employee
shall be granted the following rights:
A. Each Employee shall be treated with dignity and respect.
B. Each Employee shall be granted the rights provided by law.
C. Each Employee will be encouraged to have input into improving
processes or methods.
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ARTICLE 5 - PLANT-WIDE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE
Section 1. Committee Members. One joint Plant-wide Civil Rights Committee shall
be established at the Pueblo Plant. The joint Committee shall consist of three
(3) members designated by Local Union 2102, two (2) members designated by Local
Union 3267 and five (5) members designated by the Company. The Company and Union
representatives will meet at mutually agreeable times, but not less than once
every three months. The Committee members will establish the rules and
procedures under which it shall operate by mutual agreement.
Section 2. Jurisdiction. The Committee will not have jurisdiction over
grievances or process grievances, but may refer unresolved problems to the
grievance procedure.
Section 3. Company Paid Meetings. When the Company schedules a meeting or
requests the Committee members to perform other duties at times when the members
may be scheduled at their normal job, the Committee Members shall be paid by the
Company at the Employee's regular rate. Scheduled hours paid under this Article
shall be counted for the purpose of computing weekly overtime, but shall not
exceed eight (8) hours.
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ARTICLE 6 - SAFETY AND HEALTH
Section 1. Objectives and Obligations of the Parties.
A. The Company and the Union will cooperate in the objectives of maintaining a
safe and healthful workplace for all Employees and of eliminating accidents and
health hazards. The Company operates with the assumption that all injuries are
avoidable, and that working safely is the personal responsibility of each
Employee, the Union and the Company. The Company shall make reasonable
provisions for the safety, training and health of its Employees at the plant
during the hours of their employment. The Company, the Union and the Employees
recognize their obligations and/or rights under existing federal and state laws
with respect to safety and health matters.
B. The Company is required by law to maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
on all potentially hazardous materials used in the plant and make this
information reasonably available to its Employees; label pipes, containers or
hazardous materials; and train Employees in the safe use of these materials.
C. The Company will maintain a program of periodic in-plant air sampling and
noise testing under the direction of qualified personnel. Where the Union
Co-Chairman of the Joint Safety and Health Committee (referred to hereinafter as
the "JSHC") alleges a significant on the job health hazard due to in-plant air
pollution, noise or potential ionizing radiation, the Company will make such
tests and investigations as may be appropriate and shall notify the Union
Co-Chairman of the JSHC when such a test is to take place. A report based on
such additional tests and investigations shall be provided to, reviewed and
discussed with the JSHC. For such surveys conducted at the request of the Union
Co-Chairman of the JSHC, or by an Employee, a written summary and analysis of
the sampling and testing results and the conclusions of the investigation shall
be provided to the JSHC.
D. An Employee shall suffer no loss of pay the day on which he receives an
injury on the job provided he visits a doctor designated by the Employer on that
day and provided further he follows the doctor's instructions as to whether to
return or not return to work on that day. The Company shall comply with the
written orders of the Doctor regarding an Employee's return to work. If the
Company does not, the Employee can follow the written orders without reprisal in
any form. Hours not worked, but paid for, on the day of the injury shall be
counted for the purpose of computing weekly overtime but shall not exceed eight
(8) hours. An Employee who is injured on the job must report the injury to his
supervisor immediately and assist in filling out an accident report form as
requested by supervision. In the case where an Employee is in need of medical
attention after hours from a work-related accident, then the Employee must
attempt to contact a member of Plant Protection to arrange for such medical
attention. Plant Protection will then notify the appropriate members of
management. If an Employee is required by the doctor to obtain additional
medical attention on subsequent days and such attention cannot be scheduled
outside working hours, such necessary time away from work shall not be counted
against the Employee's attendance record. If the follow-up care is scheduled
directly by the Company's medical department and cannot be scheduled outside
working hours, hours away from work shall also be paid as outlined in the above
paragraph, as long as the Employee actually works the day the follow-up
treatment is received.
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Section 2. Protective Devices, Wearing Apparel and Equipment. Protective
devices, wearing apparel and other equipment necessary to properly protect
Employees from injury shall be provided and maintained by the Company. Goggles,
gas masks, face xxxxxxx, respirators, special purpose gloves, fireproof,
waterproof or acid proof protective clothing when necessary and required by OSHA
shall be provided and maintained by the Company without cost, except that the
Company may assess a fair charge to cover loss or willful destruction thereof by
the Employee. During the term of the Contract, the Company shall reimburse each
Employee up to $250 for the purchase of safety shoes. After the purchase of the
first pair, the Employee shall obtain authorization from the General Xxxxxxx or
his designee, for the purchase of the next pair. In addition, the Company agrees
that except for shoes lost, stolen or damaged through negligence or willful
destruction, if an Employee's safety shoes are damaged due to abnormal
circumstances, the Company will reimburse the Employee for the fair value of the
shoes. Probationary Employees will be reimbursed after the probationary period
and will fall under contractual maximums.
During the term of the Contract, the Company shall reimburse each Employee for
one (1) pair of prescription safety glasses. However, if an Employee's
prescription changes or the prescription safety glasses are damaged due to the
working environment after the purchase of the first pair, the Company will
reimburse the Employee for additional glasses.
The Company will provide fresh bottled water where necessary and approved by the
Company.
Proper heating and ventilating systems shall be installed where needed and
maintained in good working condition.
Section 3. Disputes.
A. An Employee, or group of Employees, who believe that they are being required
to work under conditions which are unsafe or unhealthy beyond the normal hazard
inherent in the operation in question, shall have the right to:
1. File a grievance in the third step of the grievance procedure for
preferred handling in such procedure and arbitration; and/or
2. Relief from the job or jobs, without loss of their right to return
to such job or jobs, and, at Management's discretion, assignment to
such other employment as may be available in the plant; provided,
however, that no Employee, other than communicating the facts
relating to the safety of the job, shall take any steps to prevent
another Employee from working on the job.
Management will, as soon as possible, "rope off," "xxxx off," or otherwise
indicate any potential hazard or danger which is beyond the normal hazards or
dangers inherent in the operations. A joint investigation will then be held
involving Management, the Union-designated Department Safety Representative and
the appropriate Local Union President or his designee.
B. When an Employee does have a right to relief from the job under this Article
6, such Employee will be able to exercise this right without threat of
discharge.
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Section 4. Joint Safety and Health Committee.
A. A Joint Safety and Health Committee consisting of at least four (4) Employees
from Local 2102 and three (3) Employees from Local 3267, two (2) from clerical
and technical and one (1) from plant protection, designated by the Union (the
Union Co-Chair shall rotate between Local Union 2102 and 3267 every six (6)
months) and an equal number of Management members, if Management so desires,
shall be established in the plant. By mutual agreement the Committee may be
increased. The Union and the Company shall designate their respective
Co-Chairman and shall certify to each other in writing such Co-Chairman and
Committee members. The Committee shall hold monthly meetings at times determined
by the Co-Chairmen who may also agree to hold special meetings. Each Co-Chairman
shall submit a proposed agenda to the other Co-Chairman at least five (5) days
prior to the monthly meeting. The Company Co-Chairman shall provide the Union
Co-Chairman with minutes of the monthly meeting. Prior to such monthly meetings,
the Co-Chairmen or their designees shall engage in an inspection of mutually
selected areas of the plant. At the conclusion of the inspection, a written
report shall be prepared by the Company setting forth their findings. One copy
of the report shall be furnished to the Union Co-Chairman. Copies of safety
reports (accident investigations) will be given to the Union Co-Chair. The
function of the Committee shall be to advise with Plant Management concerning
safety and health and to discuss legitimate safety and health matters but not to
handle grievances. In the discharge of its function, the Committee shall
consider existing practices and rules relating to safety and health, formulate
suggested changes in existing practices and rules, recommend adoption of new
practices and rules, and review accident statistics including OSHA Form 200 and
trends and disabling injuries which have occurred in the Plant and make
appropriate recommendations. When the Company schedules a meeting or requests
the Committee members to perform other duties, the Employees shall be paid by
the Company at the Committee Member's regular rate. Scheduled hours paid under
this Section shall be counted for the purpose of computing weekly overtime, but
shall not exceed eight (8) hours.
B. The Union Co-Chairman or his designee will be afforded time off when working
conditions so allow to visit departments at all reasonable times for the purpose
of transacting the legitimate business of the Committee, after notice to the
head of the department to be visited or his designated representative and if the
Committee member is then at work, permission (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld) from his own department head or his designated representative. If the
Union Co-Chairman or his designee is not at work, he shall be granted access to
the Plant at all reasonable times for the purpose of conducting the legitimate
business of the Committee after approval by the head of the department to be
visited or his designated representative (which shall not be unreasonably
denied). If approval is denied, the Employee Resources Department will be
contacted to resolve the issue.
C. Each department manager shall ensure that a formal safety inspection is
conducted in his area on a monthly basis. This inspection shall be conducted by
the union designated department safety representative(s) and the department
manager (or by their designees). It shall be the responsibility of the Manager
of Safety or his designee to notify the President of each Local when the
inspection is rescheduled. A copy of their findings shall be posted in the
department. These inspections are not meant to be a substitute for each
Employee's daily attention to safety matters, but rather to serve as protection
against overlooking the familiar.
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D. In the event the Company requires an Employee to testify at a formal
investigation into the causes of a disabling injury, the Company shall arrange
to have the Union Co-Chairman of the JSHC or his designee to be present as a
representative at the proceedings for the period of time required to take the
Employee's testimony. The Union Co-Chairman will be furnished with a copy of
such record as is made of the Employee's testimony and a copy of the Injury,
Accident, Near-Miss Investigation Report. In addition, in the case of accidents
which resulted in disabling injury or death or accidents which could have
resulted in disabling injury or death and require a fact-finding investigation,
the Company will, as soon as is possible after such accident, notify the Union
Co-Chairman of the Committee, or his designee, who shall have the right to visit
the scene of the accident promptly upon such notification, if he so desires,
accompanied by the Company Co-Chairman or his designee, and the Company will add
the Union Co-Chairman of the JSHC, or his designee, to the notification list for
such accidents. The Company shall notify the Local Union Presidents whenever an
injury occurs, no later than the following workday. The Local Union Presidents
shall notify the Company of their designees. After making its investigation, the
Company will supply to the Union Co-Chairman of the JSHC a statement of the
nature of the injury, the circumstances of the accident, and any recommendations
available at that time. In such cases, when requested by the Union Co-Chairman,
the Company Co-Chairman of the JSHC, or his designee, will review the statement
with the Union Co-Chairman. Also, in such cases, the Company Co-Chairman of the
JSHC, or his designee, when requested by the Union Co-Chairman, will visit the
scene of the accident with the Union Co-Chairman or in his absence, his
designee. All injuries will have a joint fact finding investigation which would
include the Union designated departmental safety representative, and the
appropriate Local Union President involved if he so desires.
E. Once each year the Company will provide to the Union the OSHA Form 200,
Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. When requested, the Company will
also provide a copy of the OSHA Form 200 Log or Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses or its equivalent.
F. It will be consistent with the foregoing functions of the JSHC, the
International Union, Local Unions, Union Safety Committees and its officers,
Employees and representatives shall not be liable for any work-connected
injuries, disabilities or diseases which may be incurred by Employees.
G. If in the event of special circumstances, the Director of the International
Union Safety and Health Department or a member of his staff desires access to
the plant, such access shall be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Company.
The Company may accompany the Union Representative.
Section 5. Medical Records.
The Company shall maintain the confidentiality of reports of medical
examinations of its employees and shall only furnish such reports to a physician
designated by the employee upon written authorization of the employee; provided
that the Company may use or supply medical examination reports of its employees
in response to subpoenas, requests to the Company by any governmental agency
authorized by law to obtain such reports, and in arbitration or litigation of
any claim or action involving the Company.
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Section 6.
In cases where an Employee is released for work by his personal physician
and through no fault of his own, he is unable to see the Company's medical
doctor to be released during normal business hours, and as a result misses
scheduled work, the Company will reimburse such Employee for all lost time.
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ARTICLE 7 - SENIORITY
Section 1. Departments
A. Departments. Seniority shall be applied in the following departments:
A. Steelmaking D. Seamless Mill G. Water
B. Rod/Bar Mill E. Maintenance
C. Rail Mill F. Environmental
Each department shall have its own seniority listing. Lines of progression
including identification of entry-level positions will be established in each
department to promote maximum effectiveness within and between departments.
Current lines of progression are contained in Appendix B.
For the purposes of this Article 7, Employees assigned to a department
identified in the above section will not be restricted from performing any jobs
within that department in order to maximize operating efficiency or provide the
Employee the opportunity to work 32 hours or more.
B. Seniority & Preference
1. The parties agree that some flexibility or reassignments may, at times,
be necessary to achieve the operating goals of the Company, and the Company
reserves the right to make such necessary reassignments.
2. All things being relatively equal, whenever an opening occurs,
Employees, if qualified, shall be allowed to utilize their seniority to choose
the job assignment within their respective boxed classifications and for
purposes of shift preference and preferred days off. Any such reassignment shall
be limited to no more than three (3) moves per temporary vacancy. Such
preference does not extend to preference regarding the selection of crews on
rotating shifts or temporary vacancies of three (3) weeks or less. The right to
assign employees to fill vacancies of three weeks or less shall not be exercised
in an arbitrary, bad faith or discriminatory fashion.
3. During periods of downtime, such as scheduled maintenance, inventory or
an unexpected equipment breakdown, that time may be utilized to train and
educate the Employees on their jobs or other jobs, and in matters of safety and
safe operating procedures as applicable unless such downtime becomes excessive
and/or sufficient training is unavailable or unnecessary.
4. When a question arises concerning any work assignment, an Employee may
protest the assignment through the grievance and arbitration procedure, but
shall not refuse to do the work, pending final settlement of the dispute.
However, the parties agree to apply the rule of reason to any such dispute as
may arise under the provisions of this agreement.
5. It is furthermore agreed that in the event of a permanent vacancy
created by an Employee retiring, dying, or promotion, or increases or decreases
in operating levels, any such
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Employee desiring reassignment shall notify supervision in writing of their
desire within five (5) calendar days after the schedule has been posted of his
preference for such reassignment as listed in paragraph 2 above. Any such
reassignment shall be limited to no more than six (6) moves per instance.
Management reserves the right to delay allowing such preferences up to 60 days
to provide necessary training.
6. Regarding the positions of MMT & MET:
a. The Company will establish a preference list in the Employee
Resources Department that such Employees may sign indicating their
wish to be considered for permanent vacancies (MMT/MET) in other
areas of the Plant.
b. Employees may have their name on only two lists at any given
time, and if such Employee is reassigned to his area of choice, they
may not again request consideration for a period of 12 months.
c. It is understood that Management reserves the right to deny or
delay making reassignments, if such reassignment could have a
negative impact on the orderliness or efficiency of the operations,
including depleting an area of a necessary balance of skills in any
particular department; however, no request will be unreasonably
denied.
d. It is agreed that there will be no more than three moves from a
single vacancy.
7. In addition, two Employees scheduled on the same assignment may request
of their General Xxxxxxx or designee to temporarily trade shifts as long as this
does not impose any additional financial liability on the Company, nor can it
effect the efficiency or orderliness of the operation.
Section 2. Seniority Computation.
A. For the purposes of this Article 7, seniority shall be based upon Plant
continuous service, which shall mean continuous service within the Production
and Maintenance Unit with CF&I Steel and Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx at the
Pueblo Plant. In the event of a tie, the tie shall be broken by who established
job rights in the department first, then by lottery. It is understood and agreed
that an Employee who transfers under Section 7 of this Article 7 will establish
seniority ahead of any new hires for the vacancy the Employee is transferring
to. If more than one Employee transfers for the same vacancy, the Employee(s)
will be ranked for seniority purposes by their plant continuous service date in
the other local bargaining unit.
B. A new Employee and one who is reemployed after a break in his continuous
service, shall not acquire seniority until the expiration of Seven Hundred and
Twenty (720) hours of actual work following his employment, at which time he
shall receive credit for continuous service during such period. If said Employee
is terminated at will at the sole discretion of the Company during the first
Seven Hundred and Twenty (720) hours of actual work, said termination shall not
be the subject of any grievance or arbitration against the Company.
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In the event a probationary Employee is laid off and later recalled within
twelve (12) months from the date of first employment and later completes the
Seven Hundred and Twenty (720) hours of probation, that Employee will acquire
seniority based on his original date of hire.
If an Employee is recalled or rehired within twelve (12) months from the date of
first employment, any prior hours worked shall count toward the Seven Hundred
and Twenty (720) hours of probation.
C. The Company will maintain an up-to-date seniority list, and this list shall
be made available to representatives of the Union or individual Employees at all
reasonable times. A plant wide list will be provided to the Local Union and
International representatives of the Union, and it shall include the Employee's
name, continuous service date, address, social security and payroll numbers,
birth date and phone number. The Company and the Union will agree upon a master
departmental seniority list, pursuant to the provisions of and for use in
connection with, Article 7 hereof. The Company and the Union mutually agree to
reach similar agreement semi-annually thereafter for the purpose of maintaining
an up-to-date master seniority list for each department posted on appropriate
departmental bulletin boards and at Payroll.
The position on the seniority list for Employees hired on or after the effective
date of this contract and starting work on the same date and in the same
department, will be resolved by lottery. The results will be permanent and shall
be applied for all contractual seniority provisions.
Section 3. Promotions, Layoffs and Recalls.
A. In all cases of promotion, decrease in forces, or recall after layoffs
(except to or from positions excluded under the definition of "Employees" in
Article 2 - Recognition or except as expressly provided in Section 5 below)
decisions shall be based first upon qualifications and then upon length of
continuous service. Qualifications shall be based first upon the employee's
ability to perform the work, or if no employee is able to perform the work, then
upon the employee's capability of performing the work within a reasonable period
of time with reasonable training. In the event two or more employees are
qualified, the job shall be awarded to the senior employee. The Company shall
provide, upon request by the Union, a list of the qualifications utilized for a
particular job awarded. In the event an Employee is determined by the Company
not to be qualified for a particular job, that decision shall be subject to the
grievance and arbitration procedure.
B. When a permanent decrease in force takes place, Employees will be allowed to
exercise their seniority in the line of progression or in the department
whichever is appropriate, taking into account the previous jobs they have held
within the department. If an Employee has been disqualified on a lower job he
will not be allowed to displace an employee with less seniority on that job.
C. Employees will be notified of recall by Certified Letter, return receipt
requested, mailed to the last known address of the Employee. The Employee must
report for work within five (5) calendar days from the date the letter was
received or within seven (7) calendar days of mailing. A copy of the letter will
be mailed, faxed or delivered to the Financial Secretary of the Local Union. The
Company will consider requests for extension of the time period, provided the
15
request is made by the Employee within the five (5) calendar day period from the
date of receipt. If the notice is undeliverable at the last known address, the
Company will be considered to have complied with the notice requirement and the
Employee will break continuous service for all purposes. Failure to accept
recall to a temporary vacancy shall not be cause for a break in continuous
service, unless the Company has an insufficient number of qualified Employees,
in which case they can require the junior qualified Employee(s) to return to
work.
In order to expedite the recall, the Company may attempt to contact the
Employees with recall rights by telephone or in person. Where the Company is
successful in making such contact, the Employee must report to work within five
(5) calendar days from the contact unless the Company granted an extension of
the time period.
D. Voluntary Layoff
1. In certain cases Employees may elect to go on layoff on a voluntary
basis. Any such voluntary layoffs will be deemed temporary and the return
rights of any such Employees to their regular job shall not be affected
due to their election to take voluntary layoff. Employees will be allowed
to indicate whether to accept or remain on a job in the department or go
on voluntary layoff status. Employees electing voluntary layoff must make
their election by Tuesday of the week preceding the week their layoff
would be effective, unless otherwise approved by Management.
2. It is understood that such Employees electing layoff will be covered
under the medical, dental and life insurance programs until the end of the
month following the month they last worked as provided by the insurance
agreements.
3. Due to the possible effect on the efficiency of the operations,
Management reserves the right to determine if and when any Employee who
has chosen voluntary layoff will be allowed to go to layoff status.
4. Employees on voluntary layoff status will be job attached for the
maximum period allowable by law from the date of original layoff.
5. Nothing in this Section will in any way affect any Employee's rights or
obligations with respect to their retirement benefits as defined in the
appropriate pension plans or any other article of the Basic Agreement,
except as specified in Paragraph 8 below.
6. If an Employee who has elected to go on voluntary layoff status later
decides he would prefer to return to active employment, he must give the
department seven (7) calendar days written notice prior to the posting of
the weekly work schedule. It is understood the Employee would be returned
to the position he would have held as though he had elected to not take
voluntary layoff. If a senior Employee, who would not normally be
affected, elects to take voluntary lay off, his absence will be treated as
a temporary vacancy.
7. Any Employee who accepts these provisions will be required to read,
sign and date an appropriate form indicating their full and complete
acknowledgment to go on voluntary layoff status. Such acknowledgment shall
be approved by the department manager and main grievance man.
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8. Local Unions #2102 and #3267 agree that no grievances will be filed as
a result of this understanding and both parties agree that if there is a
dispute regarding this Section, they will both try diligently to resolve
such complaint.
F. Voluntary Demotion
In cases where an Employee wishes to be demoted to a lower job, and
Management agrees to such request, the Employee will be placed on the next
lowest job in the departmental line of progression on which he is
qualified. In such cases the Employee will relinquish his immediate job
rights on the higher position. This Employee may reestablish rights to
that job by accepting and filling a temporary vacancy of a week or more.
In the event of a demotion, the Employee, department manager and main
grievance man must agree in writing.
Section 4. Definition of Permanent & Temporary Vacancy.
All vacancies resulting from increases or decreases in operating levels for a
period of more than thirty (30) calendar days ninety (90) calendar days in the
case of unusual circumstances, or created by an Employee promotion, death,
discharge, voluntary termination, retirement or transfer out of the department,
shall be treated as permanent. All other vacancies shall be deemed temporary and
not permanent for the purposes of this Article.
Section 5. Permanent Vacancies & Transfer Rights. When a permanent vacancy
exists, the following procedures shall apply:
Step 1. Permanent vacancies within a line of progression shall be filled
from within the first step of competition in the line of progression below or
above the job being filled. Each succeeding vacancy in the line of progression
shall be filled in the same manner. Any Employee who transfers under this step
shall have the right to return to the job from which he transferred within five
(5) working days or less or the Company may return him to his former job because
he cannot meet the requirements of the new job after a minimum of five (5)
working days, but before 30 calendar days from the date of transfer. An Employee
may only exercise his 5-day return rights twice within an eighteen (18) month
period commencing with the date he first exercised such rights.
a) Permanent vacancies will be posted in the department for five (5)
working days. Qualified Employees established in the box above and below the box
where the vacancies exists will be allowed to exercise their seniority before
those who have not qualified for the opening. If there are no qualified
Employees in either box or none desire it, the vacancy will be awarded to the
senior Employee who desires it. Resultant vacancies will be filled in the same
manner.
b) If no Employee in the box above or below the box where the vacancy
exists desires to fill the vacancy, previous qualified Employees in the box in
the same branch of the line of progression where the vacancy exists will be
allowed to exercise their seniority before others. If there are no previously
qualified Employees in the box or none desire it, the vacancy will be awarded to
the senior Employee in that box who desires it. This procedure will be followed
for the remaining boxes in the branch of the line of progression.
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c) If no Employee in the branch of the line of progression desires to fill
the vacancy, previously qualified Employees in the rest of the department who
are permanently established above the horizontal line (if one exists) in the
line of progression will be allowed to exercise their seniority before others.
If there are no previously qualified Employees or none desire it in the
department, the vacancy will be awarded to the senior Employee in the department
permanently established above the horizontal line in the line of progression who
desires it.
d) If no Employee established permanently established above the horizontal
line in the line of progression desires to fill the vacancy, previously
qualified Employees in the box below the horizontal line in the line of
progression will be allowed to exercise their seniority. If there are no
previously qualified Employees or no one desires the vacancy, it will be awarded
to the senior Employee in the box who desires it. This procedure will be
followed for the remaining boxes below the horizontal line in the line of
progression.
e) Any resultant vacancy will be filled by recalling the senior previously
qualified Employee who is laid off from the department. If there is no
previously qualified Employee laid off from the department, the vacancy will be
filled by recalling the senior laid off Employee from the department.
Step 2. The resulting entry-level vacancies shall be filled on a plant-wide
basis in the following sequence, with the seniority factor being plant
continuous service.
i). Those Employees including laid off Employees, other than probationary
Employees, in the Production and Maintenance bargaining unit who bid on a
vacancy which has been posted at the plant. The locations of such postings
within all departments at the Plant shall be designated by the Company after
consultation with the Union and the bids shall be posted for five (5) calendar
days. Employees desiring to bid must do so in writing and submit their bid to
the Employee Resources Office by the first mail of the sixth calendar day. An
Employee who transfers under this paragraph may be returned by the Company to
his former department because he cannot meet the requirements of the job, after
a minimum of five (5) working days, but before 30 calendar days from the date of
transfer.
ii). Those Employees identified in Section 7 of this Article.
iii). Management may consider requests of probationary Employees wishing to bid
or transfer at Management's sole discretion.
iv). Newly hired Employees. Probationary Employees will not receive a seniority
date in the department until such time as they complete their probationary
period.
The Company will prepare an up-to-date recording of current job postings
which will be available to the Employees 24-hours a day. Any Employee off sick
or on vacation shall submit his intent to bid on any such openings to the
Employee Resources Department within the 5-day posting period.
The provisions of Steps 1 & 2 above to the contrary notwithstanding,
vacancies in trade and craft and apprentices shall continue to be filled in
accordance with existing understandings.
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Section 6. Temporary Vacancies. Scheduled temporary vacancies expected to last
more than three (3) weeks shall be filled by the Employee in the department by
applying lines of progression, qualifications and plant continuous service in
that order. All other temporary vacancies shall be filled in the same manner
with the Employee on turn. It is understood that qualified Employees may move up
in the line of progression to fill temporary vacancies.
a) It is understood that in filling all temporary vacancies, qualified
Employees established in the box immediately below the box where the vacancy
exists will first be offered the vacancy based on plant continuous service. If
there are no qualified Employees in the next lowest box, the qualified Employees
established on the second lowest box will be offered the vacancy, and so on.
b) It is understood that in the case of a temporary vacancy of more than
three (3) weeks where seniority has been exercised, any other Employee cannot
contest the seniority of the Employee placed on the temporary vacancy. The above
provisions shall not apply in cases where a senior Employee was absent from
their permanent job at the time the vacancy occurred due to their accepting
another temporary vacancy in the same box or a higher box than the junior
Employee, and, therefore, did not have the opportunity to be considered for the
promotion. In addition the Employee moving up to the vacancy must fill it for
the duration of the vacancy unless there is another temporary vacancy or
permanent vacancy on a higher job.
c) It is agreed that when there is a temporary vacancy which is known will
exist for six months or more, Management will post such vacancy in the
department and fill it as though it were a permanent vacancy. If the individual
who was absent returns to his former position, the Employee who was promoted
shall be treated as though it were a reduction in force. If the individual who
was absent does not return to work, the Employee promoted shall be considered
established on the position and no other Employee may contest his standing.
d) It is further understood that in the event of a permanent decrease in
force, permanently established Employees in a job box will be retained in
preference to Employees filling temporary vacancies, notwithstanding the
relative seniority of the Employees involved. In other words the Employee(s)
filling a temporary vacancy will be displaced from a box before a permanently
established Employee, regardless of seniority.
e) A temporary vacancy which becomes permanent will be filled as provided
by Section 5 of this Article, except as noted in Section 6-c above.
f) It is agreed that temporary vacancies that cannot be filled within the
department will be offered to those Production and Maintenance Employees laid
off from the Plant at the time a temporary vacancy exists on the basis of Plant
continuous service. It is understood that such Employees will not establish
seniority rights in a department by virtue of filling a temporary vacancy.
g) Break In: Whenever supervision of a department decides to offer break
in opportunities for jobs in the line of progression, it will be posted for a
period of five (5) working days. Break in will be offered to the senior Employee
in the box immediately below the box in the branch of the line of progression
where the opportunity exists. If no one in that box accepts, it will be offered
19
to the senior Employee in the next box in the branch of the line of progression,
etc., until an Employee accepts break in. Senior Employees who have already
either been broken in on a higher job or have qualified on the higher job will
not be broken in again.
Section 7. Plant-Wide Layoff and Pool Jobs.
A. Availability/Use of Pool Jobs. An Employee who has twelve (12) or more years
of plant continuous service and who is permanently laid off from his department
may exercise his plant continuous service to become eligible for an assignment
into a pool job. Assignment to specific jobs within the pool shall be made by
the Company.
B. Definition of Pool Jobs. In order to supply eligible senior Employees (as
defined in Part A above) the opportunity to work in the event of a permanent
reduction in force as defined in this Article 7, the following jobs will be
included as pool jobs pursuant to the steps set forth below.
Step One: One hundred percent (100%) of job class three (3) or below in the
maintenance and production unit will be initially included as pool jobs.
Step Two: If eligible senior Employees remain on layoff status after Step One,
up to fifty percent (50%) of the following jobs, if manned, may become pool jobs
as necessary to provide pool jobs to eligible senior Employees; Mill Operator II
at the Rod/Bar Mill; Utility at the Rail Mill; Tube Maker II at the Seamless
Mill; and Utility II in the Maintenance Department; and Steelmaker IV in the
Steelmaking Department.
If there are any temporary or permanent vacancies available in any department in
production and maintenance, and there are no available Employees from that
department to fill those vacancies, the Company shall have the option to assign
laid off Employees, who would otherwise be eligible for pool jobs, to any of
those vacancies it so chooses. Any Employee with thirteen (13) years or more of
continuous service who is eligible for a pool job and for whom no job is
available under this section shall be provided with one additional month of
medical and dental benefits under the same terms and conditions as other
Employees under this collective bargaining agreement.
C. Operation of Pool Jobs. Employees assigned to a pool job may exercise their
plant continuous service to bid on any openings that may occur in their assigned
department. If they are recalled to their old department prior to successfully
bidding into a permanent job in their currently assigned department, they must
accept the recall to their old department just as though they were recalled from
layoff. If recall occurs after they have successfully bid into a permanent job
they may either accept or reject recall to their old department; however, if
they reject recall they forfeit all seniority rights in their old department.
An Employee who is temporarily recalled to his old department may exercise his
bumping rights, again, if laid off from his old department at the end of the
temporary recall and if he has sufficient length of continuous plant service to
claim a pool job. The temporary vacancy created by his absence from his pool
assignment may be filled by recalling an Employee on layoff from that
department, or if there are no Employees on layoff from that department, then by
recalling the senior laid off Employee from the plant
20
If the Employee's recall to his old department is to a permanent vacancy, then
he can only exercise his seniority rights, again, if he is again later
permanently laid off from his department. The vacancy created by his absence
from his pool assignment will be filled by applying the procedures of this
Article as long as the vacancy fits the definition of a pool job above. The
Company shall have the right to designate the specific job in the pool to which
an Employee shall be assigned and to change such assignments when necessary. An
Employee may not refuse assignment to a pool job.
D. Miscellaneous. The application of seniority provisions other than those
established under this Section 7 to jobs in a department shall not be affected
by the inclusion of such jobs in the pool except to the extent necessary to
comply with the provisions of this Section 7. Any laid off Employee assigned to
a permanent vacancy through this process will establish seniority in the
assigned department subject to the provision of this Article 7. Eligible
Employees for pool assignment will be eligible to apply for voluntary layoff
status. However, any Employee who is allowed to go on voluntary layoff status
will not be allowed to return from voluntary layoff status until such time as he
is recalled to a permanent or temporary vacancy in his home department.
If the Company recalls the wrong Employee from layoff to a job in a pool, it
will not be liable for any retroactive pay to the Employee who should have been
recalled with respect to any period prior to one week after receipt by the
Company at its Employee Resource office of specific written notice of its
alleged error.
The Company shall not be required to assign Employees to pool jobs before the
expiration of the thirty (30) days after the date of his layoff.
Section 8. Transfer Within or From One Local Union to Another Local Union.
A. Any Employee that has completed his/her probationary period who would like to
transfer from Local Union #2102 to a department in Local Union #3267 or vice
versa must fill out the request in writing in the Human Resource Department. The
request will be active for a period of one year.
B. The Company agrees that before a new Employee is hired for a permanent
vacancy in any local union it will consider the transfer requests actively on
file. It is further understood that no Employee has a seniority right to
transfer but will be given due consideration. If an Employee who requests a
transfer is not granted a transfer, no grievance will be filed on his or her
behalf.
C. Initial consideration will be given to Employees by their plant continuous
service date in one local union for jobs in other departments covered by
contracts with that same local and the Company. This means Employees covered by
the Clerical and Technical contract would be considered for a transfer to the
Plant Protection Department and vice versa before an Employee who is a member of
Local #2102. This would also be true for Local #2102 Employees who are covered
by the Production and Maintenance contract requesting consideration for the
Water Department or vice versa.
D. Any Employee requesting a transfer must possess the minimum qualifications
required for the permanent vacancy that is being filled. Also, that Employee
must go through the interview
21
process. If Management decides to return a transferred Employee during the first
thirty (30) day calendar period, they will return to their former position or
status without any loss of seniority.
E. Any Employee who is granted a transfer under this Section 7 shall have five
(5) working days or less in which to return to the job or status from which he
or she transferred without any loss of seniority, subject to Paragraph F below.
F. Any Employee granted a transfer under this Section 7 will establish a new
plant service date for the purposes of this Article 7. Employees who are laid
off and transfer successfully under this procedure will retain their seniority
in the department they were laid off from and will have the option to return if
recalled without loss of seniority. However, if they elect to return to their
prior department, they will relinquish all seniority in the department into
which they transferred. If, on the other hand, the Employee elects to stay in
the department in which he transferred under this Section, he will forfeit all
seniority in the department to which he was recalled.
G. An Employee will be allowed to transfer only once in any six (6) month period
regardless of whether he or she or the Company exercised the return options
outlined in Paragraph D or E above.
Section 9. Promotion to Supervisory Position.
A. Supervisory Position. An Employee who removes himself from the bargaining
unit after January 23, 1997, by accepting a permanent job outside the bargaining
unit shall cease accruing any further seniority in the bargaining unit. If such
Employee is returned as the result of a force reduction, reorganization or
demoted by mutual agreement with his supervisor, that Employee shall begin
accruing seniority utilizing the seniority date the Employee had at the time he
left the bargaining unit. However, if such Employee does return to the
bargaining unit within sixty (60) calendar days, he will be reinstated to the
position from which he was promoted out of with no loss of seniority. If the
Company elects to fill the position vacated, it will be filled in accordance
with this Article 7.
After sixty (60) calendar days, the Employee utilizing his adjusted seniority
date will be placed in the bargaining unit according to the language contained
in Section 3 Promotions, Layoffs and Recalls.
B. Temporary Assignment. An Employee who accepts a temporary job assignment or
temporary management position outside the bargaining unit shall not lose any
seniority status in the department he transferred from provided such assignment
does not exceed sixty (60) days and such additional time as may be mutually
agreed to by the Company and the Union. Such agreement shall not be unreasonably
withheld by the Union. If such Employee has not returned to the bargaining unit
within the above period, he will at the expiration of said period lose all
seniority status in the bargaining unit.
Section 10. Break in Service. An Employee's continuous service shall be broken
and prior employment not counted when:
A. The Employee voluntarily quits;
22
B. The Employee is discharged with just cause;
C. The Employee is considered a voluntary quit because he is absent three (3) or
more working days without reasonable cause, or fails without cause to promptly
return when recalled from layoff within five (5) calendar days of receipt of
notice of recall or within seven (7) calendar days of mailing, unless the
Company granted an extension of the time period. The Company will notify the
Financial Secretary of the Union of terminations under this paragraph C.
D. The Employee is absent for any reason for more than forty-eight (48) months.
E. The Employee is properly terminated.
Section 11. Supervisors. Supervisors at the Plant shall normally ensure that the
work assigned to their units is effectively accomplished by performing the
management functions of planning, leading, organizing, and controlling, rather
than by directly doing the work normally performed by an Employee in the
bargaining unit at the Plant; provided, however, this provision shall not be
construed to prohibit supervisors from performing the following types of work:
A. Experimental work;
B. Demonstration work performed for the purpose of instructing and training
Employees;
C. Work required of the supervisors to maintain efficient operations or work
required by emergency conditions which if not performed might result in
interference with operations, bodily injury, or loss or damage to material or
equipment;
D. Work which under the circumstances then existing, would be unreasonable to
assign to a bargaining unit Employee;
E. Incidental assistance related to the common courtesy and respect expected of
all Employees;
F. Work which is incidental to supervisory duties on a job normally performed by
a supervisor, even though similar to duties found in jobs in the bargaining
unit.
Section 12. Leaves of Absence.
A. Union Leave.
1. Leaves of absence will be granted to a reasonable number of members of
the Union selected to work full-time for the Union in an official capacity upon
written request by the District Director, USWA. If such Employee does return to
employment at the Pueblo plant, he will be reinstated to the position he held
prior to such leave with no loss of seniority. Adequate notice of intent to
apply for leave shall be afforded local plant management to enable proper
provision to be made to fill the job to be vacated.
2. A leave of absence without pay for the purpose of attending National,
District, and Subdistrict conferences and/or other similar conferences shall be
available to a reasonable number of Employees at the prior written request of
the Union which will afford the Company
23
the opportunity to provide the job(s) to be vacated. The Employee on leave shall
maintain his seniority rights for a period not to exceed seven (7) calendar days
or such additional days as may be mutually agreed to by the Company and Union.
Such leave shall not cause an interruption in the Employee's insurance benefits.
B. Personal Leave of Absence. The Personal Leave of Absence Program is
provided only as an avenue for employees to leave the active workforce without
terminating their employment. The provisions of this program are as follows:
1. Should the department granting the leave subsequently exhaust all
of the personnel qualified for the position(s) for which the
Employee on personal leave is qualified, the Employee on personal
leave will be notified that his leave has been canceled and that he
must report for work by the next scheduled week or he will be
considered to have voluntarily quit the Company.
2. Any request for leave cannot exceed thirty (30) calendar days in
any calendar year. The position vacated shall be considered a
temporary vacancy.
3. The granting or non-granting of a personal leave of absence shall
be at the sole discretion of Management.
4. Such time away from work shall not be counted against any
Employee for any purpose and any Employee granted a leave shall be
reinstated to the position he held prior to the Leave of Absence,
provided such position is available.
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ARTICLE 8 - ADJUSTMENT OF GRIEVANCES
Section 1. Purpose.
A. Should an Employee or the Union dispute the Company's application of
the provisions of this Agreement, there shall not be any suspension of work on
account of such differences, but an xxxxxxx effort shall be made to settle them
promptly and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement in the manner
hereinafter set forth.
B. Failure to Appeal. If any decision is not appealed within the time
limits to the next step, it shall be considered settled on the basis of the
prior step, and the Employee or Employees covered by such grievance shall not
have any further right or remedy with respect to any matter or claim covered by
such grievance. The Company and Union agree that it is in the mutual interest of
both parties to abide by the prescribed time limits of this Article.
Section 2. Procedure.
Step 1 - Oral. An Employee shall take any grievance to his supervisor,
with or without his Union representative as he may decide, within five (5)
working days of the event or the time he reasonably should have known of the
event. The matter shall be answered by the supervisor within three (3) working
days from the day it is presented.
Step 2 - Department Manager. If the matter is not settled at Step 1 level
above, the Department Manager and Union representative, with the Employee and
any other necessary witnesses present, shall discuss the matter within five (5)
working days from the supervisor's answer in paragraph (a) above, and attempt to
resolve the matter. At this level and prior to the Step 2 discussion, the
grievance form shall be filed by the Union Representative with the Department
manager and a number assigned to the grievance by the Employee Resources
Department. Disposition of the grievance at this level shall occur within three
(3) working days following the completion of the discussion and the disposition
will be entered on the grievance form and a copy given to the Union
Representative. Grievances settled at Step 1 or Step 2 shall not be considered
to be precedent setting.
Step 3. If the Union representative is not satisfied with the disposition
in Step 2, the Union representative shall notify the Employee Resources
Department in writing within five (5) working days that he wishes to appeal the
grievance to Step 3. The Company shall, within ten (10) working days of the
receipt of the written notification, cause a discussion between the Employee
Resources Department and the Grievance Committee, the Secretary of the Grievance
Committee, the Union President, the Financial Secretary or a designee, and such
other persons as either side may wish to have in order to dispose of the matter.
The Company shall give the Union a written response within five (5) working days
of this discussion.
All grievances relating to discharges, insurance, benefits, Employees in
more than one Department, Plant Union, or any other terms or conditions of
employment which may affect a large number of employees, shall proceed
immediately to Step 3 without going through Step 1 or 2.
Step 4. Grievances not settled in Step 3 above shall be discussed between
representatives of the Grievance Committee, the representative of the
International Union, and the representative of Management and such other Company
representative as he may designate at the earliest date of mutual convenience
following receipt of the notice of appeal, but not later than thirty (30)
25
calendar days thereafter. Step 4 meetings shall not be postponed except in
unusual circumstances. Any party requesting a postponement shall do so in
writing, giving the reason therefore and stating that the meeting shall take
place at a prompt later date. Either party may present such witnesses as may be
required in the settlement of the grievance.
Written notice of appeal shall be served within ten (10) working days
after receipt of Step 3 minutes.
If Management's decision in Step 3 is not appealed to Step 4 within the
prescribed time limit, the grievance shall be considered settled on the basis of
such decision and shall not be eligible for further appeal. In exceptional
cases, however, where the Union can satisfactorily demonstrate that the failure
of the Union representative charged with the responsibility for such appeal was
caused by conditions justifiable under the circumstances and does, in fact,
appeal within ten days from the date of the default, the appeal shall be
accepted as though it had been timely. The Company's liability for any
retroactive payments resulting from the application of the preceding sentence
shall exclude the period of the delay in the appeal.
Minutes of all Step 4 grievance meetings shall be prepared by the Company
and Union, jointly signed by the representative of Management, and by the
International Representative of the Union, and two copies of such minutes shall
be furnished the Grievance Committee and International Representative not later
than ten (10) working days following the date on which the meeting was held.
Arbitration. If the grievance is not resolved at the Step 4 level, then
the International Union may appeal the grievance to arbitration. The Company and
the Union shall agree upon an arbitrator and if they are unable to agree, shall
secure a list of five (5) arbitrators form the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service. One arbitrator shall be chosen by the Company and Union
alternately striking names until one name remains. Thereafter, the arbitrator
shall hear the grievance within twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date he
was selected, or upon a date jointly agreed to by the parties. The arbitrator
will be asked to issue a decision within thirty (30) calendar days from the date
of hearing, or thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the briefs if briefs
are filed. The parties may mutually agree to have the arbitrator issue a
decision on the basis of the written record submitted to him by the parties. The
arbitrator shall assure himself that all necessary facts and considerations have
been placed before him by both sides, and he shall have the authority to
interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement, but he shall not have the
authority to alter or expand upon any of its provisions. Awards of arbitration
may or may not be retroactive but in any event may not go back beyond thirty
(30) calendar days from the date the grievance was filed. The parties shall
share equally the compensation and expenses of the arbitrator. The decision of
the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties.
Section 3. Miscellaneous.
A. Union Representation. At any point in any step, any Employee involved shall
be entitled to have a Union representative so designated for this purpose,
accompany him in any of the discussions arising from a grievance. The number of
Plant Grievance Committeemen, one of whom shall be the Chairman and one of whom
shall be the Financial Secretary and one of whom shall be the Secretary of the
Committee, shall be not less than three (3) Employees of the Plant and not more
than eight (8) such Employees, designated by the Union, who will be afforded
such time off, without pay, as may be required.
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B. When the Company schedules a Step 3 or Step 4 meeting or requests the
Committee members to perform other duties at times when the members may be
scheduled at their normal job, the Employees shall be paid by the Company at the
Employee's regular rate. Such payment shall be counted as hours worked for
purposes of computing weekly overtime. If the Employee is not scheduled to work
the Employee shall be paid by the Company at the Employee's regular rate. Such
payment shall not be counted as hours worked for the purpose of computing weekly
overtime or any other purpose.
C. Prior Grievances. Any grievance, complaint or arbitration decision existing
prior to the date that the Company began operation of the Pueblo Plant shall
place the Company under no obligation in any way, or be cited or used as
precedent by either party.
D. Extension. The time limits set forth in this Article may be extended by
written or oral mutual agreement of the Parties.
E. The number of days specified in any part of the Grievance Procedure shall be
work days and shall mean exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays in each
instance.
F. Nothing in this procedure shall limit additional meetings which may be proper
and necessary to reach an equitable settlement.
G. Members of the Plant Grievance Committee shall be granted access to the
department where the grievance arose at all reasonable times for the purpose of
conducting the legitimate business of the committee after approval by the head
of the department to be visited or by his designated representative which shall
not be unreasonably denied. If approval is denied, the Employee Resources
Department will be contacted to resolve the issue.
H. The grievance procedure may be utilized by the Union in processing grievances
which allege a violation by the Company of its obligations to the Union
expressly required by this Agreement. In processing such grievances, the Union
shall observe the specified time limits in appealing and the Company shall
observe the specified time limits in answering. In the event an Employee dies,
the Union may process on behalf of his legal heirs any claim he would have had
relating to any monies due under any provision of the Agreement.
Section 4. Expedited Arbitration.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the following Expedited
Arbitration Procedure is designed to provide prompt and efficient handling of
routine grievances, including certain grievances concerning discipline as
provided for in this Section:
A panel of arbitrators shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties. When the
panel is ready to function, the local parties will be informed so that the
procedure may be utilized. A number sufficient to ensure the intended operation
of this procedure shall be selected. Their expenses and fees shall be borne
equally by the Company and the Local Union.
The Expedited Arbitration Procedure shall be implemented in light of the
circumstances existing at the plant, with due regard to the following:
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A(1) Upon receipt of the signed Step 3 minutes, the Step 3 representatives may
agree, in writing, to appeal the grievance to an arbitrator under this Expedited
Arbitration Procedure. However, such appeal shall first be submitted to the
Fourth Step representative of each party. If within 5 days of receipt of the
appeal, either parties Forth Step representative disapproves, the appeal shall
not be submitted to this expedited arbitration and the Step 3 representatives
shall be so notified. Time requirements for regular appeal to Step 4 shall then
commence.
A(2) The appeal shall be made within 10 calendar days of receipt of the finished
step 3 minutes.
A(3) All grievances appealed to Step 4 of the grievance procedure shall be
reviewed by each respective Fourth Step Representative and within 10 days after
receipt of appeal of such grievance, either Fourth Step Representative may
communicate with the other and then jointly determine whether such grievance
warrants disposition in the Fourth Step, or is appropriate for Expedited
Arbitration. They may, therefore, agree to refer such grievance back to the
Third Step parties for review and disposition. Any grievance referred back to
the Third Step parties and for which no agreement can be reached for disposing
of the same, may then be appealed by the Secretary of the Grievance Committee to
the Expedited Arbitration Procedure. Such appeal shall be made within 15 days
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays) after the date the grievance is
referred back to Step 3. If the grievance is not appealed to the Expedited
Arbitration Procedure, it shall be considered withdrawn.
A(4) As soon as it is determined that a grievance is to be processed under this
procedure, the designated arbitrator shall be notified. The designated
arbitrator is that member of the panel who, pursuant to a rotation system is
scheduled for the next arbitration hearing. Immediately upon such notification,
the designated arbitrator shall arrange a place and date for the hearing to take
place not more than 10 days thereafter. If the designated arbitrator is not
available to conduct a hearing within the 10 days, the next panel members in
rotation shall be notified until an available arbitrator is obtained.
B. The hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the following:
B(1) The hearing shall be informal.
B(2) No briefs shall be filed or transcripts made.
B(3) There shall be no formal evidence rules.
B(4) Each party's case shall be presented by a previously designated local
representative.
B(5) The arbitrator shall have the obligation of assuring that all necessary
facts and considerations are brought before him by the representatives of the
parties. In all respects, he shall assure that the hearing is a fair one.
B(6) If the arbitrator or the parties mutually agree at the hearing that the
issues involved are of such complexity or significance as to require further
consideration by the parties, the case shall be referred to the Fourth Step and
it shall be processed as though appealed on such date.
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B(7) The arbitrator shall issue a decision no later than 48 hours after the
conclusion of the hearing (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays). His
decision shall be based on the records developed by the parties before and at
the hearing and shall include a brief written explanation of the basis for his
conclusion. These decisions shall not be cited as a precedent in any discussion
of grievances at any step of the grievance or arbitration procedure, but will be
final and binding on the parties. The authority of the arbitrator shall be the
same as that provided in this Article and Article 9.
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ARTICLE 9 - DISCHARGE CASES
Section 1. Provisionally Discharged. In the exercise of its rights as set forth
in Article 3 hereof, the Company agrees that no Employee shall be peremptorily
discharged but that in all instances in which the Company may conclude that an
Employee's conduct may justify discharge, he shall be first provisionally
discharged. Written notice of such provisional discharge shall be given to the
Employee, and a copy of such notice shall be furnished to such Employee's
grievance representative immediately. Such provisional discharge shall be for
not more than five (5) calendar days. During this period of provisional
discharge, the Employee will remain on the job as scheduled unless the offense
involved:
A. Stealing
B. Fighting
C. Insubordination
D. Reporting for work or attempting to enter the plant under the
influence of intoxicating liquor, drug or stimulant, or
possession of same on Company premises.
E. Any other offense when if the Employee remained on the job it
might create an unsafe condition for other Employees or the
equipment of the plant.
The Employee may, if he believes that he has been unjustly dealt with, request a
hearing and a statement of the offense before his department head and a
representative of the Employee Resources Department of the plant. If any such
Employee shall not request a hearing within the five (5) day provisional
discharge period, his discharge shall be come final.
Section 2. Discharge Hearing. At any such hearing, the facts concerning the case
shall be made available to both parties. After such hearing, the Company may
conclude whether the discharge shall become final or, dependent upon the facts
of the case, that such discharge shall be converted to a suspension or revoked.
If the discharge is revoked by the Company, the Company shall reinstate and
compensate the Employee affected on the basis of an equitable lump sum payment
mutually agreed to by the parties, or, in the absence of agreement, make him
whole in the manner set forth in Section 3 below, unless it is agreed by the
parties hereto that such Employee shall be disciplined without pay as a
condition of such revocation. If the discharge of the Employee is affirmed, the
Employee may within five (5) calendar days after such disposition, file a
grievance at Step 3 of the procedure for adjustments of grievances set forth in
Article 9 hereof.
If any such Employee shall not file a grievance within such five (5) day period,
his discharge shall become final. The Step 3 decision on all discharge cases
shall be made by the Company within five (5) working days from the date of
filing of the grievance, if any. Should such decision ultimately proceed through
Step 4 and be appealed to arbitration, such arbitrator shall have specific
authority to make the discharge final; or in the event of reinstatement of the
Employee, he may make him whole for the period of his suspension or discharge,
which shall include providing him such earnings, or offset such earnings or
other benefits as he may have received other than from the Company, or may
reinstate him without compensation for lost time, as the arbitrator may
determine from the facts presented. The arbitrator may, where circumstances
warrant, modify or eliminate the offset of such earnings or from other amounts.
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Justice and Dignity on the Job.
The following understandings have been reached for a Procedure for
Justice and Dignity on the job applicable to discharge cases only.
During the term of this Basic Labor Agreement, the procedure set
forth below shall be applicable to Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx:
Any dispute under this Section, the Union will decide if it is to be
heard in the Expedited Arbitration Procedure or the regular Arbitration
Procedure. The International Representative or his designee may represent the
grievant at the hearing. The decision of the Arbitrator will be with precedence
and prejudice in future disputes.
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ARTICLE 10 - JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND RATES OF PAY
Section 1. Rates of Pay.
PRODUCTION & MAINTENANCE AND WATER
DEPARTMENT
-------------------------------------------------------------
current $0.50 $0.50 $0.75
CLASS 10/1/00 5/30/04 12/4/05 5/27/07
-------------------------------------------------------------
1 $13.524 $14.024 $14.524 $15.274
2 $14.024 $14.524 $15.024 $15.774
3 $14.524 $15.024 $15.524 $16.274
4 $15.024 $15.524 $16.024 $16.774
5 $15.524 $16.024 $16.524 $17.274
6 $16.024 $16.524 $17.024 $17.774
7 $16.524 $17.024 $17.524 $18.274
8 $17.024 $17.524 $18.024 $18.774
9 $17.524 $18.024 $18.524 $19.274
10 $18.274 $18.774 $19.274 $20.024
11 $19.024 $19.524 $20.024 $20.774
12 $19.774 $20.274 $20.774 $21.524
MMT $20.524 $21.024 $21.524 $22.274
MET $20.524 $21.024 $21.524 $22.274
Section 2. Changes in Job Classifications, Descriptions or Lines of Progression.
In the event the Company determines, based upon operational necessity or
improved efficiency of operations, to create a new job and wage classification,
change a job's wage classification, permanently change the description of an
existing job, or change or eliminate a line of progression, the Company will
notify and negotiate with the Union prior to implementing the proposed change.
In the event the Union does not agree to the proposed change in negotiations,
the Company may implement its last proposal. If a grievance is submitted to
arbitration over an alleged violation of this provision, the burden shall be on
the Company to prove that the change is based on operational necessity or would
result in improved efficiency of operations.
Section 3. Employee's Average Wage. For the purposes of computing vacation,
holiday, Bereavement, Jury Duty or other allowances, the straight-time rate of
pay attributable to the position that the Employee is scheduled on the week of
or week before the benefit is to be used. If an employee is off for any reason
during this period, their computation will be based on the job scheduled on last
week worked. This shall apply whenever the term "Employee's Average Wage" is
used throughout the Basic Agreement.
Section 4. Mill Mechanical and Electrical Technician - Standard Rates of Pay.
Employees assigned to the Mill Mechanical Technician - Standard position shall
be paid the rate of pay for the Mill Mechanical Technician - Intermediate plus
an additional $.75 per hour for all hours actually worked.
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Employees assigned to the Mill Electrical Technician - Standard position
shall be paid the rate of pay for the Mill Electrical Technician - Intermediate
plus an additional $.75 per hour for all hours actually worked.
Section 5 Leadman Compensation. Employees assigned to the Leadman position shall
be paid the highest rated position which the Leadman has been assigned to lead
plus an additional $.75 per hour for all hours actually worked.
Section 6. Break-In Compensation. An Employee who is breaking in on a higher
rated job than the job they are permanently established on shall be paid the
rate of their permanent job during the break-in period, which shall not exceed
one (1) work week on job classes 2 through 6, and two (2) work weeks on job
classes 7 through 12. The time period for which the Employee is paid the higher
rate shall not be determinative in deciding whether an Employee is qualified.
Section 7 Temporary Promotion. Temporary vacancies, when filled, shall be paid
at the Employee's regular rate of pay except as follows. If a temporary
promotion is to a job one job class above the employee's regular job class, and
the temporary promotion lasts more than four hours, the employee will be paid
the higher of the employee's regular rate of pay and the pay associated with the
job being worked, for the time worked on the temporary promotion. If the
temporary promotion is to a job more than one job class above the employee's
regular job class, and the temporary promotion lasts more than one hour, the
employee will be paid the higher of the employee's regular rate of pay and the
pay associated with the job being worked, for the time worked on the temporary
promotion.
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ARTICLE 11 - HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME
Section 1. Normal Hours of Work
The normal daily hours of work shall be determined by the Company and shall
consist of eight (8), ten (10) or twelve (12) consecutive hours. The normal work
pattern within a workweek shall be determined by the Company and shall consist
of no more than five (5) consecutive workdays and at least two (2) consecutive
days off, or Sunday and Saturday off. The following exceptions, however, shall
apply.
(1) The Company reserves the right to schedule an Employee on eight (8) or ten
(10) hour schedules more than five (5) consecutive work days in a
workweek, as long as the employee is provided at least one day off in a
workweek.
(2) The Company reserves the right to schedule an employee with two
non-consecutive days off in a workweek (other than Sunday and Saturday),
as long as the scheduling does not exceed four (4) consecutive workweeks
or six (6) total workweeks in any ninety (90) day period without the
consent of the Union.
(3) The Company reserves the right to temporarily deviate from the normal
daily hours and normal work pattern for employees in any manner necessary
in the event of a break down or emergency or other special circumstances
designated by the Company provided that the Company's exercise of its
rights to deviate from the normal work pattern shall not be exercised in
any arbitrary, discriminatory or bad faith manner. If the normal work
pattern is eight (8) or ten (10) hours, the temporary deviation shall not
exceed two (2) consecutive workweeks or three (3) total workweeks in any
ninety (90) day period without the consent of the Union. If the normal
work pattern is twelve (12) hours, the temporary deviation shall not
exceed ten (10) consecutive work days and shall not exceed two occasions
in any ninety (90) day period without the consent of the Union.
B. Definitions. A work day is defined herein as the 24-hour period commencing
at 7:00 a.m. or the turn changing time nearest thereto. A workweek is
defined as the seven (7) consecutive days commencing at 7:00 a.m. or the
turn changing time nearest thereto on Sunday of each week. This is also
the definition of a vacation week.
C. Schedules. The Company shall inform the Employee in writing in a real-time
schedule, when possible on Thursday but not later than noon Friday of the
calendar week preceding the calendar week in which the change shall become
effective, of any change in the Employee's normal work pattern; provided,
however, that in case of breakdown, or other conditions beyond the control
of management, management may change such schedules after Friday of the
week preceding the week in which they shall be effective.
If after the schedule has been posted on Friday, it becomes necessary to change
an Employee's schedule because of breakdown, or other conditions beyond the
control of management, it shall be the obligation of the Company to notify the
Employee as long as the Employee has furnished the Company with accurate
telephone numbers. In addition, the Section on Reporting Allowance will be
followed. If the Company is unsuccessful in making notification of the schedule
change, the Employee will not be held responsible until proper notification has
been made.
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D. No Guarantee of Hours. The above provisions of this Section shall not be
construed as guaranteeing to any Employee any number of hours of work per day or
per week. Employees shall not be guaranteed any number of hours of work per day
or per week except to the extent provided in Article 13 of this Agreement.
Section 2. Starting Time. The starting times of shifts shall be determined by
management. Any time an Employee's starting time is changed management shall
make a positive effort to notify the Employee(s) affected in conjunction with
paragraph C above.
Section 3. Conditions Under Which Overtime Rates Shall Apply.
A. Overtime compensation at the rate of one and one half (1-1/2) times the
regular hourly wage rate of the job worked shall be paid for all hours worked in
excess of eight hours if the Employee is scheduled to work eight (8) hours in
the day. Overtime compensation at the rate of one and one half (1-1/2) times the
regular hourly wage rate of the job worked shall be paid for all hours worked in
excess of ten hours if the Employee is scheduled to work ten (10) hours or more
in the day. Overtime compensation at the rate of one and one half (1-1/2) times
the regular hourly wage of the job worked shall be paid for all time worked by
an Employee in excess of forty (40) hours within a workweek. Effective 90 days
after the effective date of this Agreement, all hours worked by an Employee
during a workweek that exceeds a total of fifty-six (56) hours will be paid at
the applicable rate of double time. There shall be no pyramiding of overtime or
of overtime and premium pay under this Article or any other Article of this
Agreement.
Section 4. Reporting Pay. An Employee shall be required to report for
regularly-scheduled work unless the Company has made a reasonable attempt to
notify the Employee otherwise, and any of the following shall constitute such a
reasonable attempt at notification: Notice by telephone or notice to the
Employee's last address of record with the Company, or notice posted on the
bulletin board which is clearly visible at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to
change in the scheduled work day, or any other method of attempted notification
reasonable under the circumstances which will include the bulletin board at the
Indiana Gate. If notice is reasonably attempted and the Employee still reports
for work, that Employee shall not receive compensation. If no attempt at notice
is given and the Employee reports for work, he shall be paid the greater of four
(4) hours pay at the regular hourly wage which would have been applicable had he
worked such four (4) hours in the assignment for which he was required to report
or the actual time worked. This provision also applies when the Employee is
called in to the plant to perform work in addition to his regular work schedule.
If an Employee reports for work after failure of the Company to give notice as
provided herein, the Company shall have the right to assign the Employee to any
work, provided the wage rate paid is equal to or higher than that at which the
Employee was scheduled or forfeit the reporting pay provided herein. The
obligation for reporting pay shall not apply in cases where work is not provided
due to the discipline or discharge of the Employee, strikes, work stoppages in
connection with labor disputes, failure of utilities beyond the control of
Management or to an Act of God.
Section 5. Union-Related Activity. Any member of the Grievance Committee or
officer of the Union shall be granted time off without pay for the purpose of
conducting Union business, provided that the Union must first notify the
Company, in writing, requesting such time-off work,
35
and provided that the Employee must first obtain Company approval, which shall
depend upon the efficient operation of the plant which will not be unreasonably
withheld.
Should Union Officers, Grievance Committeemen, or Acting Grievance Committeemen
be excused from work for a full or partial scheduled day by their department
manager or his representative for the purpose of attending to legitimate
business of the Union directly affecting the Company, such day off shall be
counted as a day worked for the purpose of computing weekly overtime for work
performed on a sixth or seventh day in a calendar week, and for purposes of
computing pension and profit participation share.
Section 6. Notice for Scheduled Ten (10) Hour Shifts and Twelve (12) Hour
Shifts. Whenever the Company changes from a weekly schedule of five (5) eight
(8) hour shifts to a weekly schedule of ten (10) hour shifts or twelve (12) hour
shifts or vice versa, the notice of the new schedule will be given to the Union
and the Employees involved at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the
change. However, if the Company fails to make proper notification for a
five-eight hour schedule to a four-ten hour schedule, the Employee will be paid
as though he was scheduled on an eight (8) hour schedule for the hours worked.
Section 7 - Overtime Pay Clarification. An Employee who works overtime will be
paid at the overtime rate for the job he works the overtime for, or the
Employee's regular overtime rate, whichever is higher.
Section 8. Continuous Presence on the Job for Water Department Employees. It is
mutually agreed that the nature of the work entailed in the Water Department is
such that generally it cannot be limited to eight (8) hours per day, but it is
recognized that the parties hereto are subject to the provisions of the Fair
Labor Standards Act (Wage and Hour Act), and amendments, modifications and
regulations promulgated thereunder. Therefore, it is agreed that overtime shall
be computed and paid in exact accordance with the provision of any pertinent
law, rule, regulation now or hereafter enacted or promulgated.
Under the existing practice in the operation of the Water Department, it is
recognized that certain jobs require the continuous presence, but not
necessarily the continuous work, of the employees -- for illustration, at the
headgates, the outlet gates, ice skimmers and patrolling -- and that such
employees have heretofore reported their actual working time in each day of
twenty-four hours. It is now agreed that on jobs requiring the continuous
presence of the employees, the Company will guarantee such employees while
engaged on such jobs payment for at least forty (40) hours per week and that
such employees shall be granted, except in emergencies, one twenty-four hour day
off from work in each scheduled work week and that swing men will be provided to
fill in the twenty-four hour relief period on the continuous jobs, and that such
swing men so employed shall be guaranteed for this relief work at least eight
hours' pay regardless of the time worked in the twenty-four hour period,
together with one hour traveling time, and that nine hours time shall be
calculated in determining the number of hours worked per week by such employees.
Ordinarily employees who work on maintenance and repair of the ditches and
reservoirs are required to report for work at designated stations -- for
illustration, at what is known as the Screening Plant, or at the headgate at
Xxxxxxxx. Where required to report at any of those designated stations, time
worked shall commence when the employee leaves said station to perform his
designated or assigned duties and shall end when he returns to the station. For
36
maintenance and repair men reporting to said stations, the Company will provide
transportation from the station to the place of work and return to the station,
but if the employee is directed to report at some point other than said
designated station, then the employee will go to work on Company time and return
on his own time.
37
ARTICLE 12 - SHIFT, SUNDAY AND SEVENTH DAY PREMIUM
Section 1. Shift Definitions.
A. Day shift includes all turns regularly scheduled to commence between 6:00
a.m. and 8:00 a.m., inclusive.
B. Afternoon shift includes all turns regularly scheduled to commence between
2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., inclusive.
C. Night shift includes all turns regularly scheduled to commence between 10:00
p.m. and 12:00 midnight, inclusive.
D. Any hours worked by an Employee on a regularly scheduled shift which
commences at a time not specified above shall be paid as follows:
1) For all hours worked which would fall in the prevailing day turn
of the department no shift differential shall be paid.
2) For all hours worked which would fall in the prevailing afternoon
turn of the department the afternoon shift differential shall be paid.
3) For all hours worked which would fall in the prevailing night
turn of the department the night shift differential shall be paid.
Section 2. Amount of Hourly Premiums. An Employee shall be paid a premium of 30
cents per hour for all afternoon shift hours worked by him. An Employee shall be
paid a premium of 45 cents for all night shift hours worked by him. Hourly
premiums shall be paid based on hours actually worked as though the hours were
scheduled under the eight (8) hour shift schedule that preceded the change to
ten (10) hour, or twelve (12) hour shift schedules.
Section 3. Sunday Premium. All hours actually worked by an Employee on Sunday
which are not paid for on an overtime basis, shall be paid at the rate of one
and a half (1-1/2) times the Employee's straight time hourly rate for the job
worked. For the purpose of this provision, Sunday shall be deemed to be the 24
hours beginning at 7:00 a.m. Sunday or the turn-changing time nearest thereto.
Section 4. Seventh Day Premium. All hours actually worked by an Employee on a
seventh consecutive day in any one calendar week shall be paid at the rate of
two (2) times the Employee's straight time hourly rate of pay for the job
worked, provided that the Employee actually worked at least four (4) hours on
each of the six (6) previous days.
38
ARTICLE 13 - SHORT WEEK BENEFITS
Section 1. Eligibility. An Employee having two (2) or more years of continuous
service at or before the end of the payroll week in question, and who has less
than 32 pay hours in that payroll week, shall be eligible for the Benefit Amount
described in Section 4 below.
Section 2. Days Deemed Hours Worked. Each day of jury or witness duty, funeral
leave, vacation, holiday, or annual military encampment for which an allowance
is payable by the Company shall be deemed to be eight (8) hours worked for the
purpose of this article only.
Section 3. Payroll Week. For purposes of this Article, if an Employee whose
regular turn ends at the end of a payroll week is required to work beyond the
end of the turn for four (4) hours or less, such hours will be considered as
worked in the payroll week in which his regular turn falls, rather than in the
next payroll week. If an Employee whose regular turn starts at the beginning of
a payroll week is required to report four (4) hours or less before the beginning
of the turn, such hours shall be considered as worked in the payroll week in
which his regular turn falls rather than the preceding payroll week.
Section 4. Benefit Amount. A short week benefit for a particular payroll week
will be calculated by multiplying the Employee's Average Wage by the amount 32
hours exceeds the sum of the hours:
A. The Employee was paid in the week including those hours the Employee did not
work but for which he was paid by the Company;
B. The Employee did not work for reasons other than lack of work; and
C. The Employee did not work because of suspension, discharge, resignation,
retirement or unemployment which was the consequence of any of the following:
1. Any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, picketing or concerted
action or any labor dispute of any kind involving Employees or
members of the Union which is the collective bargaining agent
of the Employees at any operations of the Company, or
2. Any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, picketing or concerted
action at any operation of the Company or any labor dispute of
any kind involving Employees when such action interferes with
the production or the ingress or egress of material or product
at the operation where the layoff occurs, or
3. Any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, picketing or concerted
action of any labor or labor dispute of any kind involving
persons employed by transportation or utility companies which
directly interferes with production or ingress or egress of
material or product at the operation where the layoff occurs,
or
4. An act of God or other condition beyond the control of
management.
39
ARTICLE 14 - PRIOR CF&I SERVICE
Except as otherwise provided in Article 7, in calculating continuous service for
any purpose, prior CF&I continuous service at the Pueblo Plant shall be counted.
40
ARTICLE 15 - HOLIDAYS
Section 1. Days. Whenever used in this Agreement the term "holiday" means one of
the following days:
January 1st
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Labor Day
July 4th
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
December 24th
December 25th
December 31st
Section 2. Holiday Pay.
A. An eligible Employee shall be paid in the following manner:
1. An unworked Holiday that falls on one of an Employee's regularly scheduled
days shall generate his scheduled number of hours of pay times the
Employee's average wage.
2. An unworked Holiday that falls on an unscheduled day, where the Employee
has been scheduled that week, shall generate eight (8) hours of pay times
the Employee's average wage.
Provided, however, that if an eligible Employee is scheduled to work on any such
holiday, but fails to report and perform his scheduled or assigned work, he
shall become ineligible to be paid for the unworked holiday, unless he has
failed to perform such work because of sickness or because of death in the
immediate family, entitling him to bereavement pay, or because of similar good
cause.
B. All time worked by an Employee on a holiday, defined herein as the 24-hour
period commencing at 7:00 a.m. on the holiday or the turn changing time nearest
thereto, shall be paid at the rate of 1-1/2 times the regular hourly wage of the
job worked, and will be in addition to the amount payable under Section 2(a).
C. As used in this Article, an eligible Employee is one who,
1. Has worked thirty (30) shifts since his last hire, or has not been
on layoff or leave more than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the
holiday in question;
2. Performs work or is on military encampment or scheduled vacation in
the pay period in which the holiday is observed; and
3. Works both on his last scheduled workday prior to and on his first
scheduled workday following the day on which the holiday is
observed, unless excused. Such
41
excuse will include approved Contractual Leaves of Absences,
including Personal Leave, or death in the immediate family.
Section 3. Vacation and Holiday Pay. An eligible Employee who would otherwise be
entitled to pay for an unworked holiday and who shall be scheduled pursuant to
the provisions of Article 16 to take a vacation during a period when the holiday
occurs, shall be paid for the unworked holiday in addition to his vacation pay.
42
ARTICLE 16 - VACATIONS
Section 1. Vacation Eligibility and Benefit. As a new Employee, you will first
be eligible for vacation in the calendar year following your year of hire. The
length of your first vacation will depend on the amount of time you work in your
year of hire.
The formula is:
Calendar Days Employed x 10 days
-------------------------------- = Vacation Entitlement
365
After each calendar year, you will be entitled to vacation according to the
following schedule:
YEARS OF SERVICE WEEKS OF VACATION
---------------- -----------------
1 year, but less than 7 years............................... 2
7 years, but less than 17 years............................. 3
17 years, or more........................................... 4
If you are absent due to layoff or disability for a total period of 182 calendar
days or longer in a year, your vacation the following year will be reduced. If
you are absent for a period of 182 calendar days or longer, during any
consecutive twelve (12) month period, which spans two (2) calendar years, your
vacation will be reduced for the year following the year in which the majority
of your absence occurred. The formula is:
Eligible - (Days absent (if more than 182) X Eligible) = Adjusted Vacation
------------------------------- Vacation) Vacation Days
365
In the calculation of this or the initial year's vacation formula, any
partial days will be paid in cash rather than granted as time off.
Any Employee eligible under this Article that quits, dies, retires, or is
discharged, will be entitled to vacation pay for any vacation earned in the
prior year and not taken, plus all vacation earned on a pro rata basis (% of 365
days) in the year of termination.
Section 2. Scheduling of Vacations. Insofar as practicable, vacations shall be
granted at times most desired by Employees (Employees having longer service
within the seniority unit being given preference as to choice); but the final
right to allot vacation periods and to change such allotments is exclusively
reserved to the Company in order to ensure the orderly operation of the Plant.
As soon as possible after January 1st of each year, the Company shall post a
vacation schedule. In case the Company desires to schedule regular vacations for
Employees eligible during a shutdown period instead of in accordance with the
previously established vacation schedule, the Company will give affected
Employees sixty (60) days' notice of such intent; in the absence of such notice,
an affected Employee shall have the option to take his regular vacation during
the shutdown period; or to be laid off during the shutdown and to take his
regular vacation at the previously scheduled time.
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Section 3. Vacation Pay Computation. Each Employee granted a vacation under this
Article shall receive for each week of his vacation, forty (40) times the
Employee's Average Wage, which shall be paid by separate check, in advance, at
the Employee's request beginning on January 1, 1999.
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ARTICLE 17 - JURY AND WITNESS SERVICE
An Employee who is called for jury service or subpoenaed as a witness, except on
his own behalf, shall be excused from work for the days on which he testifies or
serves. "Service" shall include reporting for jury duty. Such Employee shall
receive for each day of service on which he otherwise would have worked, the
difference between the payment he receives for such services and the pay for
each day of service at eight (8) times that Employee's Average Wage. However, if
an Employee is scheduled a ten (10) hour or a twelve (12) hour schedule, as
defined in Article 11, the pay for each scheduled day missed will be ten (10)
times or twelve (12) times the Employee's Average Wage, whichever is
appropriate. The Employee will present proof that he served as a juror or
witness, or reported, and the amount of pay, if any, received therefore. An
Employee shall not receive such juror or witness pay when it duplicates pay
received for time not worked for any other reason, and such pay shall not be
computed as hours worked for purposes of determining overtime or premium pay.
45
ARTICLE 18 - BEREAVEMENT PAY
When death occurs to an Employee's spouse, legal mother, father, mother-in-law,
father-in-law, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparents, or grandchildren,
and son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and
grandparents-in-law (including stepmother, stepfather, stepchildren, stepsister,
stepbrother when they have lived with the Employee in an immediate family
relationship), an Employee, upon request will be excused and paid for a maximum
of three (3) scheduled shifts (five (5) scheduled shifts in the case of the
Employee's legal spouse, son or daughter, including stepchildren, when they have
lived in an immediate family relationship with the Employee) (or such fewer
shifts as the Employee may be absent) which fall within a three (3) consecutive
calendar-day period (or five (5) consecutive calendar day period in the case of
the Employee's legal spouse, son or daughter, including stepchildren, when they
have lived in an immediate family relationship with the Employee); provided,
however, that such consecutive calendar-day period shall begin within one (1)
week of the death, one (1) such calendar-day shall be the day of the funeral or
service and it is established that the Employee attended the funeral or service.
Payment shall be at eight (8) times the Employee's Average Wage. However, if an
Employee is scheduled a ten (10) hour or a twelve (12) hour schedule, as defined
in Article 11, the pay for each scheduled day missed will be ten (10) times or
twelve (12) times the Employee's Average Wage, whichever is appropriate. An
Employee will not receive funeral pay when it duplicates pay received for time
not worked for any other reason. Such bereavement pay shall not be computed as
hours worked for purposes of determining overtime or premium pay. Up to two
additional days off without pay shall be granted where additional time is
needed.
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ARTICLE 19 - MILITARY SERVICE
The Company shall provide each Employee who enters the Armed Services of the
United States from Employment with the Company all rights required to be given
to said Employee upon his return to the Company provided in the laws of the
United States and the laws of the State of Colorado.
An Employee with one or more years of continuous service who is required to
attend an encampment of the Reserve of the Armed Forces or the National Guard
shall be paid, for a period not to exceed two weeks in any calendar year, the
difference between the amount paid by the government (not including travel,
subsistence or quarters allowance) and the amount calculated by the Company in
accordance with the following formula. Such pay shall be based on the number of
days such Employee would have worked had he not been attending such encampment
during such two weeks (plus any holiday in such two weeks which he would not
have worked) and the pay for each such day shall be eight (8) times the
Employee's Average Hourly Wage. However, if an Employee is scheduled a ten (10)
hour or a twelve (12) hour schedule, as defined in Article 11, the pay for each
scheduled day missed will be ten (10) times or twelve (12) times the Employee's
Average Wage, whichever is appropriate. If the period of such encampment exceeds
two weeks in any calendar year, the period on which such pay shall be based
shall be the first two weeks he would have worked during such period.
47
ARTICLE 20 - ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY
Section 1. Introduction.
The Company has a vital interest in maintaining a safe and healthful environment
for all of its Employees, and efficiency and productivity in all of its
operations. Because of the growing concerns regarding the use of alcohol and
drugs in the work place, and their potential impact with respect to Employee
safety, health, efficiency, and productivity, the Company has developed an
Alcohol and Drug Policy covering all Employees. The Union supports the Company
in promoting these interests.
The Company's Alcohol and Drug policy is based on several important principles.
First, all Company Employees must be alert and in full possession of their
faculties whenever they are on Company premises or engaged in Company business.
Second, while individual Employees have the right to make choices regarding the
use of alcohol and drugs, they must accept responsibility for these choices and
they are subject to corrective action, including discharge, for violations of
the Company's rules and regulations. Third, Employees should be given an
opportunity to seek treatment, counseling, and/or rehabilitation for abuse of
alcohol and drugs before their performance deteriorates to a point where
corrective action may be required.
The Company encourages Employees who are experiencing problems with alcohol
and/or drug abuse to voluntarily seek assistance for such problems through
available treatment, counseling and/or rehabilitation programs, and the
confidentiality of all records for any Employees who seek assistance through
such programs will be maintained. Furthermore, the Employee's decision to seek
such assistance will not be used as a basis for disciplinary action or be used
against the Employee in any disciplinary proceeding, except as set forth in this
Article.
In order to assist Employees to understand and avoid the perils of alcohol and
drug abuse, the Company will use this program in an ongoing educational effort
to inform Employees about: (1) the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse in the work
place; (2) the Company's Alcohol and Drug Control Policy; (3) the availability
of alcohol and drug treatment, counseling and rehabilitation programs, and (4)
the penalties that will be imposed upon Employees for alcohol and drug
violations.
Alcohol and/or drug testing will be conducted under the Alcohol and Drug Control
Policy in accordance with the procedures and guidelines set forth below, subject
to the terms of this Collective Bargaining Agreement, Company rules, and
applicable law. The Company has established the following specific policies
regarding the use, possession, concealment, manufacture, distribution, and sale
of alcohol and drugs.
All Employees must be free from the effects of alcohol and/or drugs during
scheduled working hours, and when they report for work, as a condition of
employment. Drinking alcoholic beverages or using drugs on Company premises, or
working while affected by alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited and is grounds
for immediate provisional discharge. Possession, concealment, manufacture,
distribution or sale of alcohol or drugs while on duty or on the Company's
premises; or conviction for a violation occurring in the work place or while on
Company business of any criminal drug statute and/or failure to notify the
Company of such conviction within five (5) days, is also prohibited and is
grounds for immediate provisional discharge.
48
The Company reserves the right to require an Employee to submit to breathalyzer,
blood and/or urine tests to determine usage of alcohol and/or drugs as provided
in Section 2.B below. The Company also reserves the right to require follow-up
alcohol and/or drug testing as part of an agreement allowing an Employee to
return to work following provisional discharge for a positive blood and/or urine
test, or as the result of a condition of continuing employment or reinstatement
following completion of a Company-approved alcohol and/or drug treatment
counseling or rehabilitation program.
Section 2. Drug and Alcohol Policies and Procedures
A. Prohibited Substances/Unauthorized Items/Searches
Prohibited Substances: Alcoholic beverages and drugs are considered to be
prohibited substances in the work place. For purposes of this policy, the term
"drugs" includes the controlled substances (as defined in 21 U.S.C. Section 811
et. seq. and the regulations promulgated thereunder), synthetic drugs, and
prescription drugs, excepting only: authorized prescription drugs approved by
and used in accordance with the direction of the Employee's or Company's
physician. An Employee using a prescription drug should consult with the
physician regarding the effects of the medication in relation to the performance
of the Employee's job responsibilities. An Employee who uses a medically
prescribed drug which may affect his ability to perform their job must notify
their supervisor or manager prior to starting work. The supervisor or manager,
after proper inquiry, will decide if the Employee can remain at work and what
work restrictions, if any, are deemed necessary.
Unauthorized items: Employees may not have any unauthorized items in their
possession while on duty or on the Company's premises. Unauthorized items
include drugs and drug paraphernalia and alcoholic beverages and/or containers.
Violation will result in immediate provisional discharge.
B. When Alcohol And/Or Drug Testing May Be Required
An Employee may be required to submit to blood (or breath testing in
appropriate cases) and/or urine testing in the following circumstances:
(1) When, an Employee's performance and/or attendance record creates a
reasonable suspicion that the Employee is currently using, affected
by, or under the influence of prohibited substances, including
alcohol or drugs as defined in Section A above.
(2) Following a serious or potentially serious accident or incident in
which safety precautions were violated, equipment or property was
damaged, an Employee or other persons were injured, or careless acts
were performed by the Employee.
(3) As part of a follow-up alcohol and/or drug test required under an
agreement allowing an Employee to return to work following
provisional discharge for a positive blood and/or urine test, or as
the result of a condition of continuing Employment or reinstatement
following completion of a Company-approved alcohol and/or drug
treatment, counseling, or rehabilitation program.
(4) When any prohibited substance, including an alcoholic beverage, or
any unauthorized item is found in an Employee's possession.
The Company must notify a Union Representative and allow him to be present
during such investigation.
49
C. Who May Require Testing
Except for a blood, breathalyzer and/or urine test administered pursuant to
subsection B(3) above, the demand for a blood, breathalyzer and/or urine test
shall be made only on the express authority of the highest ranking manager or
supervisor on duty in the department, or his designee.
D. Alcohol and Drug Testing Procedures
The following procedures shall govern the administration of alcohol and
drug tests:
(1) When an alcohol test is to be administered, a blood sample or
breathalyzer will be taken from the Employee. When a drug test is to
be administered, a urine sample will be taken from the Employee. (An
Employee who is afflicted with hemophilia, diabetes, or a condition
requiring the use of anticoagulant under the direction of a
physician shall be permitted to take a breath test, in lieu of a
blood test, to determine the presence of alcohol in his system.)
(2) Blood samples or breathalyzer will be collected and witnessed by
authorized medical personnel at an outside health-care facility,
practitioner's office or collection agency, and sealed and initialed
by the Employee and a witness.
(3) Urine samples will be collected in private at an outside health-care
facility, practitioner's office or collection agency, under approved
procedures designed to ensure the integrity of samples. Urine
samples will be sealed and initialed by the Employee and a witness.
If personnel at the collection site determine that an adulterated
sample has been provided, the Employee will be required to submit
another sample in the presence of collection site personnel of the
same sex as the Employee (or, if no such personnel are available, a
Company supervisor of the same sex as the Employee).
(4) Blood and/or urine samples will be promptly sent to and tested by a
laboratory approved by the Company and the Union.
(5) An approved chain of custody procedure shall be followed in the
administration of all blood and/or urine tests. Whatever collection
site(s) are chosen, appropriate arrangements will be made to
coordinate activities with the testing laboratory so as to ensure
the integrity of the samples to be tested. Blood samples which test
positive for alcohol and/or urine samples which test positive for
drugs will be stored at the laboratory for a minimum of one (1)
year.
(6) Alcohol testing may be conducted using a single quantitative blood
test. (A breath testing device may be used if a breath test is
administered pursuant to subsection D(1) above, provided the results
are confirmed by a second preliminary breath test or another
accepted breathalyzer procedure.)
(7) Initial drug screening shall be conducted using the EMIT or RIA
(Immunoassay Techniques) drug testing methods. All positive drug
tests shall be confirmed by the GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry) drug testing method.
(8) An Employee required to submit to a blood and/or urine test must, if
required by a health-care facility, practitioner, collection agency
or laboratory, promptly execute a consent to the taking of samples,
their analysis related to alcohol and drugs, and the release of test
results to the Company.
(9) A legible copy of the laboratory report shall promptly be made
available by the Company to the Employee and, with the Employee's
consent, the Union.
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(10) Any information collected in the process of administering a blood,
breathalyzer and/or urine test shall be treated as confidential
information and shall be released to other persons only on a
"need-to-know" basis.
(11) If a supervisor feels that a test is necessary, he may require a
test be administered and should make this clear to the Employee and
Plant Protection personnel. However, if the supervisor feels a test
is not warranted because of the circumstances, then the Employee
will not be required to submit to the test. A supervisor's decision
to test or not to test an Employee shall be an individual decision
and shall not be referred to with respect to any other Employee or
situation. An Employee will not be allowed to return to work until
the test results are confirmed, and the test results prove negative.
The Employee will be compensated for all lost time if the tests
prove negative; provided, such Employee is able to return to work.
E. Positive Drug Tests
The following cutoff limits will be used to determine whether initial drug
screens and confirmation tests are positive for these drugs and/or their
metabolites:
INITIAL CONFIRMATORY
(EMIT OR RIA) (GC/MS)
LEVEL LEVEL
SUBSTANCE NG/XX XX/ML
--------- ----- -----
Marijuana 50 15
Cocaine 300 150
Opiates 300 300
Phencyclidine (PCP) 25 25
Amphetamines 1000 500
Barbiturates 300 200
Benzodiazepines 200 200
Propoxyphene 300 300
Methadone 300 100
Methaqualone 300 300
The cutoff levels (EMIT/RIA-GC/MS) for the above drugs are subject to change as
recommended by the testing laboratory (after discussion with the Union). When a
positive drug test may be the result of use of a prescription drug, the Employee
will be required to submit proof of the prescription within forty-eight (48)
hours of the request to do so, together with a written statement from the
Employee's or Company's physician approving the use of the drug during working
hours. If the prescription and/or the physician's statement is not submitted
within the specified time limit, the Employee will be subject to provisional
discharge under this policy.
F. Second Opinion Testing
If a sufficient portion of the initial sample is available for further
testing, i.e., at least 2 ml in the case of a blood sample and 20 ml in the case
of a urine sample, an Employee who tests positive for drugs or alcohol may
request a second opinion test in accordance with the following guidelines:
(1) The request must be made to the Company in writing within seven (7)
days of the date the laboratory report is provided to the Employee.
51
(2) The Employee must pay the total cost of the second opinion test,
including any courier fee, at the time the request is made. If the
second opinion test is negative, the Company will reimburse the
Employee for these costs.
(3) The second opinion test will be performed by a laboratory which has
been approved by the Company and Union.
(4) An approved chain of custody procedure must be followed with respect
to the release of the sample(s) to the laboratory which is going to
perform the second opinion test, i.e., the sample(s) will only be
released directly to the laboratory.
(5) Except as provided below, all alcohol and drug testing procedures
set forth in this policy, including procedures regarding consent
forms, shall be strictly observed. However, since some analyses
deteriorate during storage, detected levels of drugs below the
cutoff limits recognized by the Company, but equal to or greater
than the established sensitivity of the assay, shall, as technically
appropriate, be considered corroborative of the original positive
results.
(6) The results of the second opinion test will be binding on the
Company and the Employee.
G. Corrective Action
Employees will be subject to a provisional discharge for the first offense
in any of the following circumstances:
(1) Working or reporting for work with a blood alcohol content of .05%
or more, based upon the test result and application of a blood
alcohol dissipation rate of .015% per hour.
(2) Testing positive for drugs and/or their metabolites in any
authorized drug test.
(3) Refusal to take any authorized blood, breath and/or urine test,
including refusal to execute any required consent forms and/or
refusal to cooperate regarding the collection of samples.
(4) Drinking alcoholic beverages or using drugs on Company premises.
(5) Possession, concealment, manufacture, distribution, or sale of any
prohibited substance, including alcoholic beverages, while on duty
or on the Company's premises.
(6) Conviction for a violation occurring in the work place of any
criminal drug statute and/or failure to notify the Company of such
conviction within five (5) days.
Although the foregoing infractions will ordinarily result in a provisional
discharge regardless of the Employee's position, the Company will consult with
the Union to consider extenuating circumstances and may impose lesser corrective
action when such action is deemed appropriate.
In cases when an Employee receives a last chance agreement for having a
positive drug test, or having a blood alcohol content of .05% or more during
working hours:
(1) The Company may require the Employee, as a condition of continued
employment, to participate in an approved treatment, counseling
and/or rehabilitation program for alcohol and/or drug abuse at the
time corrective action is imposed.
52
(2) The Company shall have the right to require the Employee to undergo
follow-up alcohol and/or drug testing at any time for a period of up
to two (2) years as a condition of reinstatement.
(3) If the Employee tests positive for drugs in any subsequent drug test
or a subsequent alcohol test reveals a blood alcohol content of .02%
or more during working hours, the Employee will be subject to
irrevocable termination.
If an Employee, as a condition of employment, is required to enroll in a
treatment, counseling and/or rehabilitation program for alcohol and/or drug
abuse, his continued employment or reinstatement with the Company will be
contingent upon satisfactory completion of the program, and remaining alcohol
and drug free for its duration. In addition, an Employee who is required to
enroll in such a treatment, counseling and/or rehabilitation program must submit
to any alcohol and/or drug tests administered as part of the program, and must
sign a release of information letter allowing the agency running the program to
provide periodic progress reports and the results of such alcohol and/or drug
tests to the Company.
H. Voluntary Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation
If an Employee who is not otherwise subject to corrective action for use
of alcohol and/or drugs voluntarily admits that he has an alcohol and/or drug
abuse problem, the Company will meet with the Employee to discuss the various
treatment, counseling and rehabilitation options which are available. These
options may include allowing the Employee to continue working while receiving
outpatient treatment, counseling and/or rehabilitation in an approved alcohol
and/or drug abuse program; or placing the Employee on a requested or unrequested
medical leave of absence while he is receiving treatment, counseling and/or
rehabilitation in an approved inpatient or outpatient alcohol and/or drug abuse
program.
When an Employee voluntarily admits that he has an alcohol and/or drug
abuse problem, the Company shall have the right to require the Employee to
submit to blood and/or urine tests prior to deciding what action is appropriate.
No corrective action will be taken by the Company against an Employee who
voluntarily admits that he has an alcohol and/or drug abuse problem, or tests
positive for alcohol and/or drugs in a test of the sort described above after
making a voluntary admission of alcohol and/or drug abuse. However, the Company
shall have the following rights in such a situation:
(1) The Employee may be required to enroll in and successfully complete
an approved inpatient or outpatient alcohol and/or drug abuse
program, and remain alcohol and drug free for its duration, as a
condition of continued employment with the Company.
(2) If the Employee enrolls in such a program, he must submit to any
alcohol and/or drug tests administered as part of the program, and
must sign a release of information letter allowing the agency
running the program to provide periodic progress reports and the
results of such alcohol and/or drug tests to the Company.
(3) The Employee will be required to agree to be subject to future
alcohol and/or drug testing, at the Company's discretion for a
period of up to one (1) year.
(4) The Employee will be subject to provisional discharge for any
subsequent positive alcohol and/or drug test or any other violation
of the Company's Alcohol and Drug Control Policy.
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ARTICLE 21 - WELFARE BENEFITS INSURANCE
A. Details of the plans for medical, life, dental, vision, prescription drug,
sickness & accident and long term disability insurance are contained in summary
plan descriptions which are hereby made part of this Agreement. The level of
benefits of such plans in effect on the effective date shall not be changed
during the term of this Agreement without the consent of both parties.
B. Employee absent from work for a non-work related disability shall receive
medical dental, vision and prescription drug benefits insurance (subject to
applicable terms and conditions) for up to an additional six months beyond the
end of the month in which the disability occurs. Employees absent from work due
to a job-related injury and receiving Worker's Compensation, receive medical,
dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits insurance (subject to applicable
terms and conditions) for up to an additional thirty-six months beyond the end
of the month in which the disability occurs or until eligible for Medicare,
whichever comes first.
C. All welfare benefits, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision,
prescription drug, and life insurance benefit, shall begin on the date that the
employee is hired. All welfare benefits, including but not limited to medical,
dental, vision, prescription drug, and life insurance benefits shall terminate
upon the date of an employee's termination of employment, subject to all
applicable COBRA provisions.
D. Medical Insurance
1. See Appendix A.
2. Health care eligibility, list of covered services, exclusions and
coordination of benefits provisions shall be the same as the current
plan.
3. Provide coverage for hearing aids and examinations for the
prescription or fitting thereof, up to a maximum of $300 each three
year period beginning upon ratification of a new agreement.
E. Long-Term Disability
1. Long-Term Disability benefits are described in the Group Insurance
Certificate issued by Cigna, effective May 1, 2003. The definitions
of disability, maximum benefit duration or earnings offsets remain
unchanged, except as described herein.
2. Continuous active service" under the Group Long Term Disability
Insurance Plan shall be defined as "Eligibility Service" under the
terms of the Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx Pension Plan, as modified by
this Agreement.
3. The "material and substantial duties" of the employee's regular
occupation shall be those as outlined in the RMSM job description
for the permanent position that the employee held before the
disability. It is understood and agreed that an employee who has
returned to work on light duty assignment will not be
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considered for purposes of applying for LTD benefits as having
returned to work on the employee's regular job.
F. Additional Provisions Applicable to Employees Affected by the Labor Dispute
1. Individuals who were members of the bargaining units as of October
3, 1997 will be immediately eligible to apply for and receive, if
qualified, Long-Term Disability Benefits, notwithstanding the date
of the injury or illness, service requirement or any filing
deadlines in the plan if they are on Attachment D-1 or D-2 or notify
the Company that they want to return to active employment in
accordance with Attachment A (Return to Work Agreement) of the Labor
Dispute Settlement Agreement, and
b. fail return to work physicals, or
c. are placed on the recall list due to physical restrictions
which prevent them from returning to their previous position
or its substantial equivalent, but lack the seniority to be
placed in other positions consistent with their seniority and
qualifications.
2. Individuals who were members of the bargaining units as of October
3, 1997, who returned to work prior to the Effective Date, but as
the result of accidental injury, illness or pregnancy were unable to
work, shall be eligible to apply for and receive, if qualified,
Long-Term Disability Benefits as of the Effective Date,
notwithstanding the date of the injury or illness, or any filing
deadlines in the plan. [i.e. no 6 month waiting period]. Individuals
who had not established eligibility for LTD prior to the strike,
shall be credited towards the 5 year eligibility requirement for LTD
for continuous service prior to and after the strike until the date
of illness or injury.
3. The following provisions apply to the Individuals described in both
paragraphs 1 and 2 above:
a. Such individuals will receive benefit payments that commence
as of the later of the Effective Date or the date that they
are determined to be disabled under the Plan. Benefit duration
will be measured from receipt of the first monthly Long-Term
Disability Benefit. Pre-disability earnings will be determined
based on annualized base earnings during the last calendar
year of employment. In the event of absences during the
earnings calculation period due to disabilities, illnesses,
layoffs, leaves of absence or other absences, pre-disability
earnings shall be annualized based on base wages, the number
of hours worked and an estimate of 2,080 hours worked per
calendar year. No benefits shall be paid retroactive to the
effective date of the Agreement.
55
b. The procedures for determining benefit eligibility shall be
those under the contract between the Company and CIGNA
Insurance Company, except as herein provided.
c. The Company may take reasonable steps to investigate the
medical and other factual aspects of a claim. The employee's
disability must be supported by medical documentation
satisfactory to the Company. The Company, at its discretion,
may also require additional information regarding an
employee's medical condition to determine eligibility for
benefits. This may include requiring an employee to undergo an
independent medical examination, functional capacity
evaluation, or other testing with a medical professional of
the Company's choosing. The information obtained will be used
to determine eligibility for benefits. Failure to appear for
such evaluation may result in denial of benefits. In the event
there is a dispute between the Company's designated medical
professional and the employee's physician concerning the
employee's physical or mental condition, the respective
medical opinions will be presented to a neutral physician
selected by the Company's and the employee's medical
professional. The neutral physician's decision will be final
and binding on the parties. The employee may be examined at
the discretion of the neutral physician. The Company and the
Union shall share the fees and expenses of the neutral
physician equally. If approved, benefits will be granted
retroactive to the date of the employee's application for
benefits.
d. Employees whose applications for Long-Term Disability Benefits
are rejected or whose appeals are rejected shall retain their
seniority and recall rights and be placed on the Attachment
D-1 or D-2 list.
e. All other provisions of the current contract between Company
and CIGNA shall apply.
f. The Company shall be responsible for drafting an ERISA plan
document for eligible employees under the Long-Term Disability
plan whose coverage is self-insured by the Company, subject to
the approval of the Union.
g. Individuals who want to apply for LTD under this Section F.
must do so within 12 months of the Effective Date of the
Agreement.
G. Dental and Vision - 1997 Tentative Agreement. Eligibility, list of covered
services, exclusions and coordination of dental benefits provisions shall
be the same as maintained as per the current plans. The Company is
responsible for drafting a Summary Plan Description for the vision plan.
56
H. Life Insurance
During the term of this Agreement, life insurance shall be available
at no cost to active employees. Benefits available shall be two times
employee's average hourly wage multiplied by 2,080. Specific details
concerning eligibility and available benefits are found in the Summary
Plan Description.
I. Retiree Medical Care Benefits
1. Employees who retire(d) on or after October 3, 1997 (and eligible
dependents) and surviving spouses of employees who died after
October 3, 1997 (and eligible dependents) to be offered COBRA
continuation coverage until age 65, rather than minimum of 18, 29 or
36 months. This provision shall only apply to retirees who are not
eligible for benefits under an Internal Revenue Service Health Care
Tax Credit eligible plan, e.g. the CoverColorado State Plan.
2. Effective January 1, 2005, for retirements on or after October 3,
1997:
Reimbursement PRE-MEDICARE MEDICARE ELIGIBLE
------------- ------------ -----------------
Single (or Family with two $175 $100
employees)
Family $350 $200
3. Eligibility
a. An employee who retires from Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx and
who is eligible for an immediate benefit under the Rocky
Mountain Pension Plan is eligible to participate in the
Retiree Medical Insurance Program. In general an employee
qualifies if he or she 1) has completed 30 years of service:
2) has completed at least 15 years of service and is at least
55 years of age, or 3) is at least 65 years of age. Continuous
service with CF&I Steel Corporation immediately preceding
March 4, 1993 is counted for eligibility.
b. An employee who becomes totally disabled and qualifies for
benefits under the Company's Long Term Disability Plan, and
who within two years of date of disability becomes eligible
for an immediate benefit under the Pension Plan, also
qualifies for the Retiree Medical Insurance Program.
4. Coverage
Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx offers eligible retirees and eligible
spouses a reimbursement towards the cost of medical insurance. An
eligible spouse is the person to whom the eligible retiree is
legally married at the time of retirement.
57
Should a divorce occur, the ex-spouse is no longer eligible for this
coverage. Should an eligible retiree marry or remarry, the new
spouse is not eligible to participate in this insurance.
5. Enrollment
a. The effective date of the eligible retiree's participation
will be the first of the month following retirement. However,
if the eligible retiree has medical insurance coverage that
they do not pay for (for instance, coverage provided by the
spouse's employer), the eligible retiree may postpone actually
requesting reimbursements until they are required to pay for
medical insurance. Reimbursements will begin with the month in
which the first request is submitted and will go forward. With
proof of coverage, the Company will reimburse retroactively up
to the beginning of the calendar year in which the first
request is submitted, and the eligible retiree must notify the
Company at the time that they begin paying for insurance.
b. To enroll in the Reimbursement Program, an eligible retiree
must:
1. Obtain health insurance. Eligible plans include medical
coverage that provides for comprehensive medical
insurance and/or any plans that are approved by the IRS
as "Health Care Plans". This can be COBRA coverage,
coverage through an eligible retiree's spouse coverage,
or an individual plan that an eligible retiree
purchases. For participants over 65, Medicare supplement
plans qualify, including HMO supplements, such as Secure
Horizons, or any one of the federally approved Medicare
supplement plans. Medicare premiums charged by the
Federal government do not qualify under the
Reimbursement Plan.
2. Retirees will provide the Company with verification of
insurance coverage and the amount of payment on forms
provided by the Company.
3. Retirees will promptly notify the Company of any changes
of their cost of insurance on forms provided by the
Company.
4. Retirees will submit annual insurance verification
forms, as requested by the Company.
c. Eligible retirees will receive their reimbursement on their
monthly pension check, the first of each month. If the
eligible retiree does not receive a pension benefit, they will
still receive a check or direct deposit the first of each
month under the medical reimbursement program.
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ARTICLE 22 - SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT LEAVE
A. Eligibility
1. Employees, as certified by a licensed physician, who become disabled
as a result of non-industrial illness or accident after having at
least one full year of continuous service (determined in accordance
with Article 7, Seniority) will be eligible to receive weekly
sickness and accident benefits.
a. The Company may take reasonable steps to investigate the
medical and other factual aspects of a claim. The employee's
disability must be supported by medical documentation
satisfactory to the Company. The Company, at its discretion,
may also require additional information regarding an
employee's medical condition to determine eligibility for
benefits. This may include requiring an employee to undergo an
independent medical examination, functional capacity
evaluation, or other testing with a medical professional of
the Company's choosing. The information obtained will be used
to determine eligibility for benefits. Failure to appear for
such evaluation may result in denial of benefits. In the event
there is a dispute between the Company's designated medical
professional and the employee's physician concerning the
employee's physical or mental condition, the respective
medical opinions will be presented to a neutral physician
selected by the Company's and the employee's medical
professional. The neutral physician's decision will be final
and binding on the parties. The employee may be examined at
the discretion of the neutral physician. If approved, benefits
will be granted retroactive to the date of the employee's
application for benefits.
b. Employees are not eligible for sickness and accident benefits
where the disability is the result of willful misconduct of
the employees.
c. If an employee's absence for sickness and accident leave is
intermittent and continuing, but not sufficient to qualify for
benefits under the Company's LTD plan, benefits shall be paid
as set forth in Section C, except that the employee is limited
to the equivalent of 182 days of sickness and accident
benefits in a 24-month period for the same disability. An
employee may become re-eligible for sickness and accident
leave benefits once the employee has been able to work 720
hours.
d. Should the employee receive his or her maximum sickness and
accident benefit in a twelve month period, the employee is not
re-eligible for sickness and accident leave benefits until the
employee has worked 720 hours. In the event an employee does
not use the maximum sickness and accident benefits available
for disability, nothing in this section shall prevent the
employee from using any remaining sickness and accident
benefits, up to the maximum, for subsequent disability.
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B. Exclusions
Benefits will not be payable for any period during which an employee is
not under the care of a licensed physician; or for which the illness or
injury originally began while the employee was on layoff or leave from the
Company or absent due to corrective action procedures. Sickness and
accident benefits shall also not be paid during any period while an
employee is on paid vacation or is receiving Worker's Compensation.
C. Duration and Amount of Benefits
1. Sickness and accident benefits will commence on the 8th day
following an illness or accident or on the first day following an
illness or accident for which the employee is hospitalized (defined
as admission to hospital and overnight stay).
2. The amount of daily benefit shall be eight (8) times the Employee's
Average Wage as defined in Article 10, Section 3.
3. The amount of the weekly benefit shall be forty (40) times 80% of
the Employee's Average Wage for the first 30 calendar days of the
total disability, 70% for the second thirty calendar days and 60%
for the duration of the S&A Benefits not to exceed six (6)
consecutive months of disability (182 days from date of disability).
D. Filing of Claims
In order to be eligible for benefits, a claim must be received by the
Company within thirty (30) calendar days from the commencement of
disability. If the employee is physically unable to comply with this
procedure, he should have someone notify the Company Employee Resources
Office in writing of his disability before the end of the thirty (30) day
period.
To be eligible for sickness and accident leave benefits, and to receive
assistance, employees must submit a completed Sickness and Accident Leave
Form available at the Employee Resources Office, which requires
information from the employee and from the employee's medical care
provider. In addition, employees must keep the Company reasonably updated
regarding their abilities/restrictions and likely duration of disability
by providing Employee Resources with medical documentation in order to
avoid interruption of benefits.
E. Limitations
1. In determining the length of sickness and accident benefits, the
same disability will only be counted once. Should the employee
return to work for a period of ninety (90) calendar days or less,
and then be absent again for the same disability, the sickness and
accident benefit continuation period does not begin anew.
2. Should the employee receive his maximum sickness and accident
benefit in a twelve (12) month period, any succeeding maximum period
shall not commence until another disability following his return to
work.
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F. Subrogation
If the employee or the employee's representative makes a claim for loss of
income against a third party said to have liability for the employee's
illness or injury, and the employee receives payment for loss of income
from such third party, the employee must reimburse for any sickness and
accident payments received for the same period of time loss, up to the
amount the employee received as a third party. This subrogation applies to
all absences whether on or off the job.
G. Provisions Applicable to Employees Affected by the Labor Dispute
Notwithstanding any terms of the Plan or claims to the contrary, members
of the bargaining unit as of October 3, 1997 who are on Attachment D-1 or
who notify the Company that they want to return to active employment in
accordance with Attachment A (Return to Work Agreement) of the Labor
Dispute Settlement Agreement who fail return to work physicals because
they are temporarily totally disabled as a result of non-industrial
illness or injury, will be eligible to apply for Sickness and Accident
Benefits as of the Effective Date, notwithstanding the date of the injury
or illness, service requirement or any filing deadlines in the plan. The
benefit duration for such employees will be measured from the date that
Sickness and Accident benefits commence. Pre-disability earnings will be
determined based on annualized base earnings during the last calendar year
of employment. In the event of absences during the earnings calculation
period due to disabilities, illnesses, layoffs, leaves of absence or other
absences, pre-disability earnings shall be annualized based on base wages,
the number of hours worked and an estimate of 2,080 hours worked per
calendar year.
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ARTICLE 23 - PENSIONS
A. For Retirements on or after October 1, 1997:
1. Effective the Effective Date of the Agreement:
PENSION CREDIT FOR THE PERIOD OF THE LABOR DISPUTE
Employees who went on strike shall be given pension service credit
for both eligibility (vesting) and pension benefit determination
purposes for the period beginning October 3, 1997 and ending on the
latest of: the date of said employees actual return to work;
termination of employment under the terms of the new Collective
Bargaining Agreement; retirement; or death.
Participants who retired during the labor dispute will have their
pension benefit recalculated to incorporate additional benefit
service as described, and the additional benefit shall be effective
for monthly pensions paid after the Effective Date. There shall be
no retroactive payments for the additional benefit service.
Benefit service shall be calculated as follows:
Accrued Benefit prior to strike)
-------------------------------- x Period of the labor dispute
Service prior to strike (as defined)
For example, an employee who had a $200 accrued monthly benefit and
4.57 years of service prior to the strike, and who was recalled
January 3, 2002, would have the following benefit service credited
for the strike:
$200) ----- x 4.25 = $186
4.57
B. For Retirements on or after January 1, 2004:
1. Effective January 2, 2006:
a. For each year of service prior to March 3, 1978 (including
service with predecessor companies), provide an additional
monthly pension benefit of $12.50.
C. For Retirements on or after January 1, 2006:
1. Effective January 2, 2006:
a. For all service on or after January 2, 2006, replace the
existing earnings-based formula for calculation of benefit
service with a multiplier of $55 per month. For each year in
which a participant has benefit service, the participant shall
accrue a pension benefit of $55 per month per year of benefit
service. Employees who accrue fractional years of service will
receive the multiplier of
62
$55 per month per year of benefit service based on their
fractional years of service.
2. Effective January 2, 2008:
a. For each year of service between March 3, 1978 and March 3,
1993 (including service with predecessor companies), provide
an additional monthly pension benefit of $12.50.
D. The Company will draft a revised Summary Plan Description (including
conforming changes), subject to the approval of the Union. Details of the
pension plan will be contained in a Summary Plan Description which will be made
part of the Agreement and shall not be changed during the term of this Agreement
without the consent of the Union.
63
ARTICLE 24 - CONTRACTING OUT
Section 1. General Production & Services. Production, service, and day-to-day
maintenance and repair work performed by Employees in the bargaining unit, shall
not be contracted out unless qualified employees and/or equipment are not
available. However, the Company shall have the right to continue contracting out
the functions being contracted out as of the effective date of this Agreement
unless such functions were contracted out as part of a significant increase in
contracting out after December 31, 2003. The purchase of standard components or
parts or supply items mass produced for sale shall not be considered contracting
out.
Section 2. New Construction/Major Reconstruction. New construction, including
major installation, major replacement of production facilities, and major
reconstruction at the plant, may be contracted out.
Section 3. Warranty and/or Manufacturer's Guarantee. Work that is covered by
warranty and/or manufacturer's guarantee may be contracted out. Copies of all
such warranties and/or manufacturer's guarantees shall be provided to the Plant
Union Committee immediately upon their issue.
Section 4. Emergency Situations. Contractors may be used in an emergency
situation to expedite the restoration of orderly operations.
Section 5. Contracting-Out Committee.
A. A regularly constituted committee consisting of not more than four
employees, half of whom shall be members of the bargaining unit and designated
by the Union in writing to the Plant management and the other half designated in
writing to the Union by the Plant management, shall attempt to resolve problems
in connection with this Article.
B. Such committee shall meet on an as needed basis to discuss any current
problems with respect to contracting-out brought to the attention of the
committee.
Section 6. District Director/Company Union Relations Representative. It is the
intent of the parties that the members of the joint plant contracting-out
committee shall engage in discussions in a good-faith effort to arrive at mutual
understandings so that disputes and grievances can be avoided. If either the
Company or the Union members of the committee feel that this is not being done,
they may appeal to the District Director of the Union and the appropriate
representative of the Company for review of the complaint about the failure of
the committee to properly function. Such appeal shall result in a prompt
investigation by the District Director or his designated representative and the
Company's Representative.
This provision shall in no way affect the rights of the parties in
connection with the processing of any grievance relating to the subject of
contracting-out.
Section 7. Notification for Contracting Out. Before the Company finally decides
to contract out an item of work as to which it claims the right to contract out,
a Union committee member will be notified. In emergency situations, notification
may occur following the commencement of work.
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ARTICLE 25 - PROHIBITION OF STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS
During the term of this Agreement, neither the Union nor any Employee shall: (a)
engage in or in any way encourage or sanction any strike or other action which
shall interrupt or interfere with the work or production at the Plant; (b) honor
third party, stranger or sympathy pickets of any kind; or (c) prevent or attempt
to prevent the access of Employees to the Plant. During the term of this
Agreement the Company shall not engage in any lockout of the Employees of the
Plant. The Company may discharge any Employee who shall violate the provisions
of this Article.
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ARTICLE 26 - SAVINGS CLAUSE
It is assumed by the parties that each provision of this Agreement is in
conformity with all applicable State and Federal laws. Should it be determined
that it would be in violation of a State and/or Federal statute to comply with
any provision of this Agreement, the parties will agree to renegotiate such
provisions and make them conform to the applicable law. All other provisions of
the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
66
ARTICLE 27 - PAST LOCAL WORKING CONDITIONS, PRACTICES, WORK RULES AND PRIOR
AGREEMENTS
Section 1. Past Local Working Conditions, Practices and Work Rules. All past
local working conditions, practices and work rules, whether written, oral, or
established by custom, habit, or agreement prior to March 4, 1993, are hereby
terminated.
Section 2. Prior Agreements. Any prior agreements between the Union and old CF&I
shall have no force or effect between the parties hereto except as provided in
Article 14 of this Agreement.
Section 3. Disciplinary Records. All disciplinary records in effect prior to
March 4, 1993 are hereby terminated. When an Employee has completed twelve (12)
consecutive months of work without discipline for related infractions, prior
Oral Warnings for such offenses shall not be used for further disciplinary
action (24 months in the case of Written Warnings, but not Final Written
Warnings); however, with respect to final written warnings issued as a result of
the Absentee Policy, if there has been no occurrence, they will not be used for
further discipline after 24 months) No Employee will receive any disciplinary
action without a written notice being provided to the Employee and the Union.
Section 4. Local Working Conditions. All present local understandings,
supplements or conditions of employment which grant to the Employee or Company
benefits or protections not provided by the Agreement and which are not in
conflict with the Agreement, shall remain in effect unless changed by mutual
agreement, and in no case shall such local understanding, supplement or
condition of employment be effective to deprive and Employee or the Company of
rights under this Agreement.
The settlement of a grievance prior to arbitration under the provisions of this
Article shall not constitute a precedent in the settlement of grievances in
other situations in this area.
Section 5. Attendance Policy. The Company has adopted a policy regulating
absenteeism. The Company will advise and confer with the Union in advance of any
future modifications to the policy.
ATTENDANCE
The parties recognize that absenteeism has an adverse impact upon the morale and
job security of the Employees who are good attenders and the productivity of the
operations. At the same time, the Company's Absentee Policy will assure that
equitable treatment is applied to all Employees.
Such time away from work shall be granted according to the following terms:
1) The Company's Absentee policy does not limit an Employee's rights under the
agreed-to personal Leave provision of the Contract or under the Family Medical
Leave Act.
2) Employees shall be permitted to seek permission for an absence, either before
or after said absence as provided by the Absentee Policy and, where possible,
permission in advance shall be sought by prearranged leave twenty-four hours in
advance. If the employee's condition does not permit twenty-four (24) hours
advance notice, such as physical disability, death in the family, or similar
circumstances, then the employee should provide proof that the absence was for
cause
67
and such employee will not be charged an occurrence under the Absentee Policy.
The Employee shall discuss the matter with their General Xxxxxxx or his designee
the day they return to work, and such employee will be required to report off as
soon as possible.
3) Unexcused tardiness and leaving work early shall be counted as one-half of an
Occurrence, unless excused.
4) Should an Employee be penalized by the Company's Absentee Policy or this
section, and the Employee objects to such penalty, the case may be referred to
the Grievance Procedure in accordance with Article 8.
Section 6. Employee Records. Employee's records shall be made available to the
Employee for review at reasonable times and shall be subject to the Grievance
Procedure should any dispute arise concerning any such item.
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ARTICLE 28 - INTRAPLANT COMBINATIONS OR TRANSFERS
Section 1. Seniority Claims. It is recognized that conflicting seniority claims
among Employees may arise when department facilities are created, expanded,
added, merged, or discontinued, involving the possible transfer of Employees. It
is agreed that such claims are matters for which adjustment shall be sought
between Management and the appropriate grievance representatives or committees.
Section 2. Seniority Claims Resolution. In the event the above procedure does
not result in agreement, the International Union and the Company may work out
such agreement as they deem appropriate irrespective of existing seniority
agreements or may submit the matter to arbitration under such conditions,
procedures, guides and stipulations as to which they may mutually agree.
69
ARTICLE 29 - NEW FACILITIES
Section 1. Xxxxxxx Procedure. In the xxxxxxx of jobs on new facilities within
the Pueblo plant, the Company and the Plant Union Committee shall meet and
negotiate which jobs shall be filled by senior qualified Employees (as defined
in Article 7) who bid for such jobs from the following categories in the
following order but subject to Section 2 below:
A. Employees being directly displaced in the department as the result of
the installation of the new facilities.
B. Employees employed or laid off in department where the facility is
being placed.
C. By seniority, Employees, including those laid off, in other departments
in the bargaining unit.
D. Employees in other Local Union 2102 bargaining units.
E. Employees in Local Union 3267 bargaining units.
Section 2. New Facility Training. Should Management deem it necessary to assign
an Employee to his regular job at the old facility in order to continue its
efficient operation, it may do so on the basis of establishing such Employee on
the new job and temporarily assigning him to his former job until a suitable
replacement can be trained for the job or its performance is no longer required.
In such event, such Employee shall be entitled to earnings not less than what he
would have made had he been working on the job on which he had been established.
70
ARTICLE 30 - AUTOMATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
A. When the installation of mechanical or electronic equipment may have an
effect on the job status of the represented Employees of this bargaining unit
covered by this Agreement, the Company shall review and negotiate the matter
with the Local Union Grievance Committee as soon as possible in advance of the
date on which job status may be affected and provide the final details, such as
the jobs and Employees involved, as soon as known in advance of the date on
which the job status will be affected. Should such equipment or change have an
effect on the job status of represented Employees after its initial change, the
provisions of this Article shall be followed.
B. In such cases, Management shall provide training for the Employees
affected by such change in order that such Employees may have an opportunity to
become qualified for available jobs.
C. Nothing in this article shall restrict Management's right to make such
automation and technological changes as part of Management's function.
71
ARTICLE 31 - BULLETIN BOARDS
The Union shall have the right to post notices on specific bulletin
boards, glass covered and locked, provided for that purpose. Copies of all such
notices shall be submitted to the Employee Resources Department for approval and
shall be restricted to:
1. Notices of meetings of the Union;
2. Notices of its election;
3. Notices of its appointments to office and the results of its elections;
4. Notices of its social, educational or recreational affairs.
5. Such other items as the Union may feel necessary to properly inform the
Membership of its activities and/or goals.
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ARTICLE 32 - SUCCESSORSHIP
The Companies agree that they will not, directly or indirectly, sell,
convey, assign, or otherwise transfer any plant or significant part thereof of
CF&I Steel, L.P. (d/b/a Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx), covered by a Labor
Agreement with the United Steelworkers of America that the Companies have not
declared permanently shut down to any other party (Buyer) who intends to
continue to operate the business as the Companies had, unless the following
conditions have been satisfied prior to the closing date of the sale:
(a) The Buyer shall have entered into an Agreement with the Union,
recognizing it as the bargaining representative for the
Employees within the existing bargaining units.
(b) The Buyer shall have entered into an Agreement with the Union
establishing the terms and conditions of employment to be
effective as of the closing date.
(c) If requested by the Companies, the Union will enter into
negotiations with the Companies on the subject of releasing
and discharging the Companies from any obligation,
responsibilities, and liabilities to the Union and the
Employees, except as the parties otherwise mutually agree.
This provision is not intended to apply to any transactions solely between the
Companies and any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, or to any transaction
involving the sale or issuance of stock, except that this provision shall apply
to a transaction or a series of transactions that result in a change of control.
For the purposes of this Article, the Companies shall be defined as Oregon Steel
Xxxxx, Inc., New CF&I, Inc., and CF&I Steel, L.P. (d/b/a Rocky Mountain Steel
Xxxxx).
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ARTICLE 33 - SHUT DOWN ALLOWANCE
A. Condition of Allowance. When in the sole judgment of the Company, it
decides to close permanently the plant or discontinue permanently a department
of the plant and terminate the employment of individuals, an Employee who is
terminated either directly or indirectly as a result because he is not entitled
to other employment with the Company under the provisions of Article 7 -
Seniority shall be entitled to a shutdown allowance in accordance with and
subject to the following provisions. Before the Company shall finally decide to
close permanently the plant or discontinue permanently a department of the
plant, it shall give the Union, when practicable, advance written notification
of its intention. Such notification shall be given as far in advance as is
practicable. The Company will thereafter meet with appropriate Union
representatives in order to provide them with an opportunity to discuss the
Company's proposed course of action. Upon conclusion of such meetings, the
Company shall advise the Union of its final decision. The final closure decision
shall be the exclusive function of the Company. This notification provision
shall not be interpreted to offset the Company's right to lay off or in any way
reduce or increase the working force in accordance with its currently existing
rights as set forth in Article 3 of this Agreement.
B. Eligibility. To be eligible for a shut down allowance, an affected
Employee must have accumulated three or more years of continuous Company service
at the time of the shutdown. This shut down allowance is not applicable for
layoff situations, for terminations based on corrective actions, when the
affected Employee is offered and turns down other employment within the plant.
C. Scale of Allowance. An eligible individual shall receive shut down
allowance based upon the following weeks for the corresponding continuous
company service.
CONTINUOUS COMPANY SERVICE WEEKS SHUT DOWN ALLOWANCE
3 YEARS BUT LESS THAN 5 YEARS 4
5 YEARS BUT LESS THAN 7 6
7 YEARS BUT LESS THAN 10 7
10 YEARS OR MORE 8
D. Calculation of Allowance. A week's shut down allowance shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions for calculation of vacation pay as
set for the in Article 16 - Vacations.
E. Non-duplication of Allowance
Shut down allowance shall not be duplicated for the same shutdown whether the
other obligation arises by reason of contract, law or otherwise. If an
individual is or shall be come entitled to any discharge, liquidation, shutdown,
shut down, dismissal allowance, penalty or payment of any kind by reason of any
law of the United States of America or state law or county ordinance, the total
amount of such payment shall be deducted from the shut down allowance the
individual would otherwise be entitled to under this Article, or any payment
made by the Company under this Article may be offset against such payments.
Statutory unemployment compensation payments shall be excluded from this
non-duplication provision.
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F. Election Concerning Lay Off Status
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, a non-probationary
employee who would otherwise be terminated in accordance with the applicable
provisions of this Article, at such time may elect to be placed on lay off
status for 60 calendar days or to continue on lay off status for an additional
60 calendar days if he is already on lay off status. At the end of the 60
calendar day period he may elect to be terminated and receive shut down
allowance if he is eligible for such allowance under the provisions of this
Article. If an employee elects to continue on lay off status, then in lieu of
shut down allowance (pay), he shall instead continue on such lay off status with
recall and bidding rights granted in this Agreement up to the expiration or
termination of the Agreement unless extended by mutual agreement of the parties.
It is understood, however, that an employee who so elects continued lay off
status has forfeited his right to shut down allowance (pay).
G. Payment of Shut Down Allowance
Payment shall be made in a lump sum at the time of termination in accordance
with the non-duplication provisions of this Article. Acceptance of shut down
allowance shall terminate employment and continuous service for all purposes
under this Agreement.
75
ARTICLE 34 - PROFIT PARTICIPATION
1. Introduction
The parties agree to establish a profit sharing plan (the Plan).
2. Level of Payout
For the purposes of this Article, the Company shall be defined as CF&I
Steel, L.P. (d/b/a Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx).
The Company agrees that it will create a profit sharing pool (the Pool)
consisting of five percent (5%) of the Company's Quarterly Profits, as
defined below, and to distribute the Pool within thirty (30) days of the
end of each fiscal quarter (sixty (60) days after the end of the fourth
quarter), in the manner described below.
3. Calculation of Profits
a. Operating Income of the Company calculated on a consolidated basis
in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting
Policies (GAAP)
b. with the following exclusions:
1. income or loss related to any charges or credits (whether or
not identified as special credits or charges) for unusual,
infrequently occurring or extraordinary items, including
credits or charges for plant closures, business dispositions
and asset sales that are not normal operating charges or
credits of the Company;
2. any cost or expense associated with the Plan or any other
profit sharing or similar plan for any of the Company's
employees (including but not limited to the BPPSO);
3. any expense attributable to the allocation or contribution of
stock to Company employees; and
4. any payment, fees or other expenses that are not in the normal
course of business paid directly or indirectly to any person
or entity who directly or indirectly owns or controls any
equity or equity-like interest in the Company. The following
related party costs are specifically considered to be in the
normal course of business;
(i) Corporate administration expenses from Oregon Steel
Xxxxx, Inc. allocated to the Company using the same
methodology that is used by Oregon Steel Xxxxx to
allocate corporate administration expenses to other
subsidiary companies of Oregon Steel;
(ii) Reasonable costs for services provided by the C&W
Railroad; and
76
(iii) Contractual payments related to head hardened steel rail
making technology made to Nippon Steel Corporation and
its affiliates.
4. Individual Entitlement
The Pool will be divided among all eligible employees (Participants) on
the basis of their Hours (as defined below) of each Participant in the
weeks or partial weeks, within each fiscal quarter. New employees'
participation begins after a 90-day qualification period. Earnings from
the 91st day forward are taken into account in determining Profit
Participation distribution. Employees terminated before the last day of
the quarter for reasons other than death, disability, layoff or retirement
under the Company Pension Plan are ineligible for any distribution for
that quarter.
5. Hours
Hours shall include the following, but shall not exceed forty (40) hours
for any week (prorated for partial weeks in the quarter) for any
Participant: hours worked (including straight time and overtime hours),
vacation and holiday hours at the rate of eight (8) hours for each holiday
or day of vacation; hours on Union business; and hours, at the rate of
eight (8) hours a day, while receiving Workers' Compensation benefits
(based on the number of days absent from work while receiving such
benefits).
6. Administration of the Plan
a. The Plan will be administered by the Company in accordance with its
terms and the costs of administration shall be the responsibility of
the Company. Upon determination of each Quarterly Profit
calculation, such calculation shall be forwarded to the Chair of the
Union Negotiating Committee accompanied by a Certificate of Officer
signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, providing a
detailed description of any adjustments made to Operating Income and
stating that Operating Income was determined in accordance with GAAP
and that Quarterly Profit was calculated in accordance with this
Section.
b. The Union, through the Chair of its Negotiating Committee or his/her
designee, shall have the right to review and audit any information,
calculation or other matters concerning the Plan. The Company shall
provide the Union with any information reasonably requested in
connection with its review. The reasonable actual costs incurred by
the Union in connection with any such audit shall be paid from the
Pool and deducted from the amount otherwise available under the Pool
for distribution to Employees.
c. In the event that a discrepancy exists between the Company's Profit
Sharing calculation and the results obtained by the Union's review,
the Chairs of the Union and Company Negotiating Committees shall
attempt to reach an agreement regarding the discrepancy. In the
event that they cannot resolve the dispute, either party may submit
such dispute to final and binding arbitration under the grievance
procedure provided in this Agreement.
77
7. Prompt Payment
Notwithstanding Paragraph 6, the Company shall comply with the
requirements of Paragraphs 2 through 5 based on its interpretation of the
appropriate payout. If the process described in Paragraph 6 results in a
requirement for an additional payout, said payout shall be made no more
than fourteen (14) days after the date of the agreed upon resolution or
issuance of the arbitrator's decision.
8. Summary Description
The parties will jointly develop a description of the calculations used to
derive profit sharing payments under the Plan for each quarter and distribute it
to each Participant.
78
ARTICLE 35 - 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
During the term of this agreement, the Company shall provide a 401(k) Savings
Plan. Employees covered by this agreement shall be eligible for participation in
the 401 (k) Savings Plan without discrimination and the governing terms for the
401(k) Savings Plan are set forth in the Summary Plan Description. The level of
benefits provided by the Company under this Article shall remain substantially
the same for the term of the agreement.
The level of Company contribution to an eligible Employee during the term of
this Agreement shall be 50% of the first 4% of an Employee's pre-tax deferral.
79
ARTICLE 36 - NEUTRALITY
1. Introduction
For the purposes of this Neutrality Agreement, "Companies,"
collectively, or "Company," individually, is defined as CF&I, L.P. (d/b/a
Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx), Oregon Steel Xxxxx, Inc.'s Portland, Oregon
Steelworks, Napa Pipe Corp., and Columbia Structural Tubing. The Company
and the Union have developed a constructive and harmonious relationship
built on trust, integrity and mutual respect. The parties place a high
value on the continuation and improvement of that relationship.
2. Neutrality
a. To underscore the Company's commitment in this matter, it agrees
to adopt a position of Neutrality regarding the unionization of
any production and maintenance employees of the Company.
b. Neutrality means that, except as explicitly provided herein, the
Company will not in any way, directly or indirectly, involve
itself in any matter which involves the unionization of its
production and maintenance employees, including but not limited
to efforts by the Union to represent the Company's production and
maintenance employees or efforts by its production and
maintenance employees to investigate or pursue unionization.
c. The Company's commitment to remain neutral as defined above may
only cease upon the Company demonstrating to the arbitrator under
Paragraph 7 below that in connection with an Organizing Campaign
(as defined in Paragraphs 3(a) through 3(c) below) the Union is
intentionally or repeatedly (after having the matter called to
the Union's attention) materially misrepresenting to the
employees the facts surrounding their employment or is unfairly
demeaning the integrity or character of the Company or its
representatives.
3. Organizing Procedures
a. Prior to the Union distributing authorization cards to
non-represented employees at a facility owned, controlled or
operated by the Company, the Union shall provide the Company with
written notification (Written Notification) that an organizing
campaign (Organizing Campaign) will begin. The Written
Notification will include a description of the proposed
bargaining unit.
b. The Organizing Campaign shall begin immediately upon provision of
Written Notification and continue until the earliest of: (1) the
Union gaining recognition under Paragraph 3(d)(5) below; (2)
written notification by the Union that it wishes to discontinue
the Organizing Campaign; or (3) ninety (90) days from provision
of Written Notification to the Company.
c. There shall be no more than one (1) Organizing Campaign in a
bargaining unit in any twelve (12) month period.
80
d. Upon Written Notification the following shall occur:
(1) Notice Posting
The Company shall post a notice on all bulletin boards
of the facility where notices are customarily posted as
soon as the Unit Determination Procedure in Paragraph
3(d)(3) below is completed. This notice shall read as
follows:
"NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES
We have been formally advised that the United
Steelworkers of America is conducting an organizing
campaign among certain of our employees. This is to
advise you that:
1. The Company does not oppose collective bargaining
or the unionization of our employees.
2. The choice of whether or not to be represented by
a union is yours alone to make.
3. We will not interfere in any way with your
exercise of that choice.
4. The Union will conduct its organizing effort over
the next ninety (90) days.
5. In their conduct of the organizing effort, the
Union and its representatives are prohibited from
misrepresenting the facts surrounding your
employment. Nor may they unfairly demean the
integrity or character of the Company or its
representatives.
6. If the Union secures a simple majority of
authorization cards of the employees in [insert
description of bargaining unit provided by the
Union] the Company shall recognize the Union as
the exclusive representative of such employees
without a secret ballot election conducted by the
National Labor Relations Board.
7. The authorization cards must unambiguously state
that the signing employees desire to designate the
Union as their exclusive representative.
8. Employee signatures on the authorization cards
will be confidentially verified by a neutral third
party chosen by the Company and the Union."
Following receipt of Written Notification, the Company
may only communicate to its employees on subjects which
directly or indirectly
81
concern unionization on the issues covered in the Notice
set forth above or raised by other terms of this
Neutrality Article and consistent with this Article and
its spirit and intent.
(2) Employee Lists
Within five (5) days following Written Notification, the
Company shall provide the Union with a complete list of
all of its employees in the proposed bargaining unit who
are eligible for Union representation. Such list shall
include each employee's full name, home address, job
title and work location. Upon the completion of the Unit
Determination Procedure described in Paragraph 3(d)(3)
below, an amended list will be provided if the proposed
unit is changed as a result of such Unit Determination
Procedure. Thereafter during the Organizing Campaign,
the Company will provide the Union with updated lists
monthly.
(3) Determination of Appropriate Unit
As soon as practicable following Written Notification,
the parties will meet to attempt to reach an agreement
on the unit appropriate for bargaining. In the event
that the parties are unable to agree on an appropriate
unit, either party may refer the matter to the Dispute
Resolution Procedure contained in Paragraph 7 below. In
resolving any dispute over the scope of the unit, the
arbitrator shall apply the principles used by the
National Labor Relations Board.
(4) Card Check/Union Recognition
(a) If, at any time during an Organizing Campaign
which follows the existence of a substantial and
representative complement of employees in any unit
appropriate for collective bargaining, the Union
demands recognition, the parties will request that
a mutually acceptable neutral (or an arbitrator
from the American Arbitration Association if no
agreement on a mutually acceptable neutral can be
reached) conduct a card check within five (5) days
of the making of the request.
(b) The neutral shall confidentially compare the
authorization cards submitted by the Union against
original handwriting exemplars of the entire
bargaining unit furnished by the Company. If the
neutral determines that a simple majority of
eligible employees has signed cards which
unambiguously state that the signing employees
desire to designate the Union as their exclusive
representative for collective bargaining purposes,
and that cards were signed and dated during the
Organizing Campaign, then the Company shall
recognize the Union as the exclusive
representative of such employees without a secret
ballot election conducted by the National Labor
Relations Board.
82
(c) The list of eligible employees submitted to the
neutral shall be jointly prepared by the Union and
the Company.
4. Hiring
a. The Company shall, at any facility which it builds or acquires, give
preference in hiring to qualified employees of the Company then
accruing Continuous Service under the Collective Bargaining
Agreement.
b. Before implementing Paragraph 4(a), the Company and the Union will
decide how this preference will be applied.
c. In determining whether to hire any applicant (whether or not such
applicant is an Employee covered by the Collective Bargaining
Agreement), the Company shall refrain from using any selection
procedure which, directly or indirectly, evaluates applicants based
on their attitudes or behavior toward unions or collective
bargaining.
5. Dispute Resolution
a. Any alleged violation or dispute involving the terms of this Article
may be brought to a joint committee of one (1) representative each
from the Company and the Union. If the alleged violation or dispute
cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the parties, either party may
submit such dispute to the arbitrator. A hearing shall be held
within ten (10) days following such submission and the arbitrator
shall issue a decision within five (5) days thereafter. Such
decision shall be in writing and need only succinctly explain the
basis for the findings. All decisions by the arbitrator pursuant to
this Article shall be based on the terms of this Article and the
applicable provisions of the law. The arbitrator's remedial
authority shall include the power to issue an order requiring the
Company to recognize the Union where, in all the circumstances, such
an order would be appropriate.
b. The arbitrator's award shall be final and binding on the parties and
all employees covered by this Article. Each party expressly waives
the right to seek judicial review of said award; however, each party
retains the right to seek judicial enforcement of said award.
c. For any dispute under this Article and the interest arbitration
procedure described in Paragraph 6 above, the parties shall choose
the arbitrator as they would under the Grievance and Arbitration
Article of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
6. Effective Date of this Neutrality Agreement
This Article shall become effective on January 1, 2005 for Oregon Steel
Xxxxx' Portland Steelworks. This Article shall become effective on January 1,
2006 for Napa Pipe Corp. and Columbia Structural Tubing.
83
ARTICLE 37 - INVESTMENT COMMITMENT
1. The Company agrees to make the reasonable and necessary capital
expenditures required to maintain the competitive status of the facilities
covered by this collective bargaining agreement.
2. The Company will not pursue any transaction involving steel or
steel-related assets that could have a material impact on the level or
conditions of employment of USWA members employed by CF&I, L.P. (d/b/a
Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx) and covered by this Collective Bargaining
Agreement without the approval of the USWA.
3. For the purpose of this Article the Company shall be defined as Oregon
Steel Xxxxx, Inc.
84
ARTICLE 38 - JOINT EFFORTS
1. Information
The Company shall provide the International Union with full and continuing
access to its short and long-term operating results and forecasts
including inputs relevant to the development of them; and the earliest
practicable notification and continuing updates of any contemplated new
facilities to be constructed or established.
2. Strategic Committee
a. A Joint Strategic Labor Management Committee (Strategic Committee)
shall be established consisting of for the Company: the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Oregon Steel Xxxxx,
Inc.; and the highest ranking official at the Company's Pueblo
facility and for the Union: the District Director; the servicing
Staff Representative; and such other representatives that are deemed
appropriate by the Union. Each side shall designate a Co-Chair.
b. Meetings
The Strategic Committee shall hold quarterly meetings in Pueblo (or
at another location as agreed). These meetings will be for the
purpose of reviewing and discussing the information described in
Paragraph 1 above (it being understood that the Union Co-Chair will
be updated more frequently regarding time-sensitive information) as
well as other information and updates reasonably requested by the
Union.
3. For the purposes of this Article, the Company shall be defined as New
CF&I, Inc.
85
ARTICLE 39 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. The Company and the Union acknowledge that every member of the Company's
Board of Directors (Board, members of such Board, Directors) has a
fiduciary duty to the Company and all of its stockholders.
2. The Company agrees that the Union shall have the right, subject to the
procedure; the Directors' discharge of their fiduciary duties; and as
described below, to designate an individual to serve on the Board of
Oregon Steel Xxxxx, Inc.
a. The International President shall provide the Board's Chairman with
the name and resume of the individual whom s/he wishes to have serve
on the Board.
b. Provided that the individual is acceptable to the Chairman, such
acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld, the Chairman shall
promptly recommend such individual to the Board's Nominating
Committee, who absent compelling reasons to the contrary, shall
promptly recommend such individual to the full Board for election at
its next meeting.
c. Once elected, the individual shall be recommended by the Board for
election by the shareholders to serve a regular term at the
Company's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
3. If after election, the individual becomes unwilling or unable to serve or
the Union wishes to replace him/her, the International President shall
provide the Board's Chairman with the name of a new individual whom s/he
wishes to have serve on the Board and the process outlined above shall
thereafter be followed. In such case the individual previously named by
the International President may be removed from or not nominated for
re-election to the Board.
4. At the time that any person is nominated by the Union as provided in this
Article said nominee shall acknowledge in whatever fashion such
acknowledgement is given by all of the Company's other Directors, that
such nominee, if elected to the Board, would have a fiduciary duty to the
Company and its stockholders.
5. For the purposes of this Article, the Company shall be defined as Oregon
Steel Xxxxx, Inc.
86
ARTICLE 40 - MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Termination. The effective date for all aspects of the settlement
between the parties and the proposed collective bargaining agreements shall be
the date defined in Section I, Part A of the Labor Dispute Settlement Agreement.
The expiration date of the proposed collective bargaining agreements shall be
five calendar years measured from their effective date.
Section 2. Mailing of Notices. Any notice to be given under this Agreement shall
be given by registered mail; and if by the Company, be addressed to the Union at
the following address:
United Steelworkers of America
Subdistrict #6, District #38
X.X. Xxx 0000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000
and if by the Union to the Company at:
Xx. Xxxx Xxxxxx
Employee Resources Department
Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx
X.X. Xxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Either party may, by like written notice, change the address to which registered
mail notice to it shall be given.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN STEEL XXXXX
by Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Employee Resources Department
by Xxx Xxxxx,
Vice President and General Manager
00
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX
by Xxx X. Xxxxxx
President
by Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Secretary - Treasurer
by Xxxxxx X. Palm
Vice President, Administration
by Xxxx Xxxxx
Vice President - Human Affairs
by Xxxxx Xxxxx
Director District #12
by Xxxxx Xxxx
Subdirector Subdistrict #6
by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
President, Local 2102
88
APPENDIX A
SUMMARY OF ACTIVE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS
IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN DESIGN PPO PPO
DEDUCTIBLE
Individual None $300
Family None $600
COINSURANCE 10% 30%
OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUMS $1,000 per individual $2,000 per individual
(Excludes deductible, copayments, $2,000 per family $4,000 per family
prescription drug expenses and amounts
over "usual and customary")
LIFETIME MAXIMUM $2,000,000. $2,000,000.
$1,000,000 human organ and $1,000,000 human organ and
tissue transplants. tissue transplants.
INPATIENT CARE
INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
MATERNITY SERVICES (PRENATAL AND 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
DELIVERY)
IN-PATIENT SURGERY 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, X-RAYS, AND LAB 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
SERVICES
INPATIENT REHABILITATION SERVICES 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
(Occupational Therapy, Physical
Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy)
HOSPICE CARE 100% coverage with no copay. 100% coverage after annual
deductible.
SKILLED NURSING FACILITY 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
HUMAN ORGAN AND TISSUE TRANSPLANTS 100% coverage with no copay, Lesser of 50% coinsurance or
subject to lifetime maximum. 50% of charge maximum, subject
to lifetime maximum.
HOME HEALTH CARE 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE CARE 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
Detoxification Limit: 7 days per Detoxification Limit: 7 days per
admission; 4 admissions per admission; 4 admissions per
lifetime. lifetime.
Rehabilitation Limit: 30 days per Rehabilitation Limit: 30 days per
year; 90 days per lifetime. year; 90 days per lifetime.
MENTAL HEALTH 90%. 45 full/90 partial 50% after annual deductible. 45
inpatient days per yr. full/90 partial inpatient days
per yr.
INPATIENT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
TMJ 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
OUTPATIENT CARE
OFFICE VISITS, PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
OFFICE VISITS, SPECIALIST 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
APPENDIX A
IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WELL BABY AND CHILD CARE 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
ROUTINE AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
ALLERGY AND OTHER INJECTIONS 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES 100% after $15 copay. 12 visit 70% after annual deductible. 12
combined in and out-of-network visit combined in and out-of-
maximum. network maximum.
PODIATRY SERVICES 90%. 50% after annual deductible.
OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE CARE 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
Limits: 60 visits per year; 120 Limits: 60 visits per year; 120
visits per lifetime visits per lifetime 30 visits may
30 visits may be exchanged on a 2 be exchanged on a 2 for 1 basis
for 1 basis to secure up to 15 to secure up to 15 additional
additional days per year. days per year.
OUTPATIENT SURGERY 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
AMBULANCE SERVICES 100%. 100% after annual deductible.
OUTPATIENT EMERGENCY ACCIDENT CARE 100% after $50 copay per 100% after $50 copay per
emergency room visit. emergency room visit.
OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION SERVICES 100% after $15 copay. 70% after annual deductible.
(Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, [physical and occupational [physical and occupational
Speech and Language Therapy) therapy 60 visit combined therapy 60 visit combined
maximum. Speech therapy maximum.
Speech therapy combined combined
20 visit maximum]. 20 visit
maximum].
DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 80%. 60% after annual deductible.
(wheelchairs, oxygen, etc.)
PROSTHETIC DEVICES 90%. 50% after annual deductible.
(pacemakers, braces, artificial limbs and
eyes, etc.)
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, X-RAYS, AND LAB SERVICES 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
RADIATION THERAPY 90%. 70% after annual deductible.
RETAIL PRESCRIPTION DRUG COPAYMENTS
GENERIC DRUGS $10. 50%
BRAND-NAME, FORMULARY DRUGS $20. 50%.
BRAND-NAME NON-FORMULARY DRUGS $30. 50%.
MAIL ORDER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COPAYMENTS
GENERIC DRUGS $20. Not applicable.
BRAND-NAME, FORMULARY DRUGS $40. Not applicable.
BRAND-NAME NON-FORMULARY DRUGS $60. Not applicable.
Vision Plan
Annual Exam 100% after $10 copay $ 45
Hardware $20 copay per 24 mos. $105
4
APPENDIX B
LINES OF PROGRESSION
Lines of Progression follow.
5
APPENDIX C
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx encourages Employees to develop the knowledge and
skills which will help them to be even more effective in their current job and
to prepare for additional responsibilities and possible promotion. This is done
by reimbursing their expenses for approved job related college courses.
(Probationary Employees are not eligible until after their probationary period.)
Currently, expenses for fees and books are reimbursed 100%. Expenses for tuition
are reimbursed 100% up to an amount equal to the standard tuition charged by a
four year state supported school for a similar class or number of credit hours.
Any tuition costs above that rate are reimbursed at 50%. No more than nine
credit hours will be reimbursed for any one term or semester. Reimbursement for
classes subsidized by a government agency will be limited to eligible expenses
not paid for by the government agency.
To take advantage of this benefit, Employees must do the following:
1. Prior to enrollment in a class, complete an Application for Educational
Assistance and have it approved by their supervisor. Forms may be obtained from
the Human Resource Department or Department Manager.
2. Following completion of the class, submit to the Employee Resources
Department evidence of satisfactory completion of the class (for graded classes,
this is a "C" or better). Also submit receipts for tuition, books and fees.
3. Additionally, the Company agrees that a reasonable effort will be made to
schedule such Employee so there will be an absolute minimum disruption of
mandatory class attendance time, so the Employee's grade will not be altered
because of inability to attend because of worked time.
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX D
NEW EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION
The United Steelworkers of America will develop a New Employee Orientation
Program for bargaining unit Employees which shall entail the following:
-- An introduction of International Union officials and Local Union
representatives;
-- Distribution and discussion of the USWA/Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx labor
Agreement, including any relevant local agreements, the probationary period and
the grievance procedure;
-- Discussion of safety and health programs and safe work procedures;
-- Presentation and discussion of the history and achievements of the United
Steelworkers of America and the Local Union, and the services that are provided
by the various offices and committees;
-- Discussion of the structure of the Company, the Plant organization and the
functions and services that are provided by the various departments.
During the orientation process a Union representative shall be given an
opportunity to meet with the new Employees for a reasonable period of time to
review matters noted above concerning the USWA.
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX E
APPRENTICESHIP
i
APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN STEEL XXXXX
&
THE UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA
ON BEHALF OF
LOCAL UNION #2102
ii
APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION TITLE PAGE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREWORD 3
DEFINITIONS 3
I PURPOSE 5
II QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND SELECTION OF APPRENTICES 5
III APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE 5
IV APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENT 6
V RATIO OF APPRENTICES TO JOURNEYMEN 6
VI TERM OF APPRENTICESHIP 6
VII PROBATIONARY PERIOD 6
VIII HOURS OF WORK 6
IX APPRENTICE WAGE SCHEDULE 7
X CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE 7
XI WORK EXPERIENCE 8
XII RELATED INSTRUCTION 8
XIII SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING 8
XIV SUPERVISION OF APPRENTICES 8
XV PERIODIC EXAMINATION 8
XVI CONTINUITY OF EMPLOYMENT 9
XVII MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS 9
XVIII CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION 9
XIX ESTABLISHMENT OF SENIORITY 9
XX SCHEDULES 10
XXI OVERTIME 10
XXII CONSULTANTS 10
XXIII TERMINATION AND MODIFICATION 10
XXIV AMENDMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS 10
XXV ADJUSTING DIFFERENCES 10
XXVI SELECTION OF APPRENTICES 10
XXVII SEXUAL HARASSMENT 12
XXVIII CONFORMANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS 13
XXXIV OFFICIAL ADOPTION OF STANDARDS 13
ATTACHMENTS:
TRADE SCHEDULE
iii
APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENT
FOREWORD
Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx and the United Steelworkers of America, on behalf of
Local Union #2102 recognize the need for continuous training to maintain the
high levels of skill and competence demanded in this occupation, to provide
adequate numbers of skilled workers, and to ensure public satisfaction and
provide for the growth and progress within the community and the Nation.
Experience has demonstrated that the only practical and sound method of
preparing workers for skilled occupations is through planned apprenticeship,
providing for employment and training under actual job conditions by skilled
workers and at wages commensurate with the apprentice's skill. In addition, the
apprentice's knowledge and understanding of the trade is broadened through
participation in approved courses of related and supplemental training. Further,
recognizing that the responsibility for training rests with those in the
occupation, who are the users of those skills, the sponsor has formulated and
adopted these Apprenticeship Standards for the training of apprentices in this
occupation.
DEFINITIONS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN STEEL XXXXX, PUEBLO, COLORADO.
STANDARDS OR STANDARDS OF APPRENTICESHIP: Means this entire document, including
the attached "Trade Schedule(s)" and other attachments hereto.
APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Means the Committee composed of
two (2) representatives selected by the Company and two (2) members selected by
The United Steelworkers of America Local #2102. Sometimes referred to as
"Committee" or "JAC". One alternate may be named by each group to take the place
of a regular member who may be unable to be present at any Committee meeting.
The Committee shall elect a chairman and secretary; the Committee shall
determine the time and place of regular meetings; establish minimum standards of
training and experience; adjust all apprentice complaints dealing with the
Apprentice program; review and make recommendations relative to any
determination of credit in connection with an apprentice's previous experience;
and to be responsible in general for the successful operation of the Standards
by performing the duties herein listed by cooperating with the public and
private agencies which can be of assistance, and by keeping in touch with all
parties concerned --- apprentices, employer, journeyman and appropriate
agencies.
APPRENTICE: Means a person meeting the qualifications described in Section II of
these Standards who has entered into a written Apprenticeship Agreement
providing for learning and acquiring the skills of a recognized trade under the
provisions of these Standards.
APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENT: This term, which is synonymous with "Indenture" as
sometimes used, means the written document between the Apprentice and the
Employer setting forth the responsibilities and obligations of both with respect
to the Apprentice's employment and training under these Standards.
1
GENDER CLAUSE: Any reference to either the male or female gender in these
Standards is intended to include both genders and is not to be considered as a
limitation on either sex. The term journeyman(men) or craftsman(men) within
these Standards shall be considered a performance level and not a gender term.
I. PURPOSE
A. To encourage careful selection of persons entering the trade with due
regard to health, physical fitness, aptitude, attitudes, and physical
characteristics.
B. To provide an approved plan of training which will equip such persons
for profitable employment demands.
C. To relate the future supply of skilled workers to probable employment
demands.
D. To assure that the employer may obtain the services of proficient
workers.
E. To provide the public with the highest possible grade of products and
service in conformity with approved practices of safety and skilled
craftsmanship.
II. QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND SELECTION OF APPRENTICES
A. Qualifications: Applicants accepted and indentured as Apprentices in
this program shall meet the basic qualifications identified in the
attached Section XXIV- Selection of Apprentices.
B. Selection:
1. Pledge: "The recruitment, selection, employment, and training of
Apprentices during their apprenticeship, shall be without
discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin,
disability, sex, age or status as a Vietnam era or Disabled Veteran."
2. Maintenance of Records: "Records relating to the recruitment,
selection, employment and training, and any other information relevant
to the operation of the program shall be maintained for five (5) years.
The records shall permit identification of minority and female
(minority and non-minority) participants."
III. APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A. Authority of Committee: The Joint Apprenticeship Committee established
under these Standards shall be the administrative body for the
Apprenticeship Program outlined in these Standards. The responsibility
for this Program rests with the United Steelworkers of America, Local
Union #2102 and Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx.
B. Composition: The Committee shall be made of two (2) representatives of
the Company and two (2) members selected by the USWA, Local #2102. The
Committee will elect a Chairman and Secretary to take minutes of each
meeting. All members will have the authority to vote on all questions.
C. Procedures of the Committee:
1. Recommend approval of Apprenticeship Agreements.
2. Hear and adjust differences pertaining to the apprenticeship program.
3. Determine the progress of apprentices by reviewing the records of
on-the-job work and related technical instruction; make recommendations for
advancement.
4. Make recommendations for final determination of the canceling of any
Apprenticeship Agreement.
5. Keep schedules of work experience current with changes in the industry.
APPENDIX D-2
6. Make the necessary arrangements for apprentices to receive required related
technical instruction.
7. Make recommendations for requests certifying that apprentices have
satisfactorily completed their training under the program and forwarding
the request for a Completion Certificate to the Employer.
8. Maintain such records relating to recruitment, selection, employment and
training, and any other information relevant to the operation of the
program for five (5) years.
9. Make recommendations for the successful operation of the Apprenticeship
Program.
IV. APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENT
Each Apprentice shall be covered by a written Apprenticeship Agreement, signed
by the Sponsor and the Apprentice. Such Agreement shall contain a statement
making the terms and conditions of these Standards a part of the Agreement, as
if expressly written therein. A copy of each Agreement shall be furnished to the
Apprentice and to the Employer.
V. RATIO OF APPRENTICES TO JOURNEYMEN
Only that number of apprentices will be employed as can be given proper
supervision and training and can be assured of reasonable opportunity for
employment on the completion of the apprenticeship. The ratio shall be as stated
on the applicable "Trade Schedule" attached to and made a part of these
Standards.
VI. TERM OF APPRENTICESHIP
The term of apprenticeship shall be a period of reasonably continuous
employment, including the probationary period (if applicable), as stated on the
relevant "Trade Schedule" attached to and made a part of these Standards; plus
the required hours per year of related instruction. In the event the Apprentices
are required to work overtime, they shall receive credit on the term of
apprenticeship for only the actual hours worked, although their pay may be
calculated at overtime rates. The Apprentice's progress in each phase of
apprenticeship may be determined on an actual hour basis. Therefore, an
Apprentice who, by unusual aptitude or past education and/or practical
experience, achieves the desired level in a phase of the apprenticeship in less
that the time designated, may be advanced to the next phase. The determination
of such advancement is the responsibility of the Committee.
VII. PROBATIONARY PERIOD (if applicable)
The first 750 hours of employment for the Apprentice, after signing the
Apprenticeship Agreement, shall be a probationary period. During this
probationary period, either party may terminate the Apprenticeship Agreement
without stated cause. After the probationary period the Agreement may be
canceled for cause, with written notice to the Apprentice and after a reasonable
opportunity for corrective action. Only individuals selected as Apprentices who
are also new hires will be subject to a probationary period.
VIII. HOURS OF WORK
Apprentices will be employed under the supervision of a competent journeyman,
and the hours of work and other conditions shall be the same as for journeymen
doing comparable work.
APPENDIX D-3
IX. APPRENTICE WAGE SCHEDULE
Apprentices shall be paid a progressively increasing schedule of wages for each
hour spent on the job during their apprenticeship based on the acquisition of
increased skill and competence as the training progresses. The wage schedule for
each trade covered in these Standards is stated on the applicable "Trade
Schedule" attached to these Standards. At no time will the starting wage rate be
less than that required by any minimum wage law which may be legally applicable.
X. CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Apprentices may be given credit for documented previous experience for the time
they have served as such under a verbal or written agreement, whether previously
employed by the Sponsor or elsewhere. The Apprentice will be paid the wage rate
of the period to which such credit advances them.
XI. WORK EXPERIENCE
The Apprentices shall be given work experience and training in the trade to
assure them the skill and proficiency which characterize a qualified journeyman
as herein defined. Such on-the-job training shall be carried on under the
direction and guidance of a qualified journeyman in the trade. The Schedule of
Work Experience for each trade covered in these Standards is shown on the
applicable "Trade Schedule" attached to and forming a part of these Standards.
XII. RELATED INSTRUCTION
All Apprentices shall be required to attend classes in subjects related to the
trade as part of their Apprenticeship Agreement. At least three (3) hours per
week is recommended. These classes may be given during or outside the regular
working hours, depending upon available facilities. All time spent in such
classes after regular working hours shall not be considered as hours of work. If
required to attend classes during the regular working hours, the Apprentices
shall be compensated at their regular hourly rate. If, for any reason, classroom
instruction is not practicable, the related training may be conducted by means
of correspondence, home study, or employer-sponsored courses. The Committee
shall be responsible for ensuring that the required related instruction
commitments are fulfilled by all Apprentices within the scheduled time span. The
amount of time to be devoted to each subject and the sequence they are to follow
will depend upon the type of work being performed by the Apprentice. Instruction
shall be so coordinated with the work that the Apprentice and the Employer will
receive the maximum benefits from such instruction. Failure on the part of the
apprentices to fulfill their obligation as to the related training studies
and/or attendance, or their failure to maintain passing grades therein, shall
constitute adequate cause for cancellation of their Apprenticeship Agreement.
XIII. SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING
The Employer shall instruct the Apprentice in safe and healthful work practices
and shall ensure that the Apprentice is training in facilities and other
environments that are in compliance with either the Occupational Safety and
Health Standards promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under Public Law 91-596,
dated December 29, 1970, or State Standards that have been found to be at least
as effective as the Federal Standards.
XIV. SUPERVISION OF APPRENTICES
The Employer shall designate a person who shall be known as the Supervisor of
Apprentices (this may be a Manager, General Foreman, Foreman, or a qualified
journeyman). It shall be the
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Supervisor of Apprentices' responsibility to assign the Apprentices work in
accordance with the predetermined schedule of work processes.
XV. PERIODIC EXAMINATION
Each Apprentice shall be responsible for maintaining a daily record of work
experience and shall have this record verified by his/her Xxxxxxx or Supervisor
each month. These records shall reflect a total number of hours for the month,
and the hours shall be carried forward each month on a cumulative basis. At any
time, the Xxxxxxx or Supervisor may add his/her evaluation of the Apprentice's
performance to the record of work experience. The monthly work record is to be
turned in to the Committee no later than the 5th working day following the month
of the report and filed in the Apprentice's file. Before each period of
advancement, or at any other time when conditions may warrant, the JAC may
examine the Apprentices work record to determine whether they have made
satisfactory progress. If the Apprentices' related training or work progress is
found unsatisfactory, they may be permitted to continue in a probationary
status, or be required to repeat a process or series of processes in which they
are deficient, before advancing to the next wage classification. Should it be
found that the Apprentice does not have the ability or desire to continue the
training to become a qualified journeyman, the Supervisor of Apprentices' should
recommend to the JAC that the Agreement be terminated. Such a finding shall be
deemed adequate cause for the cancellation of the Apprenticeship Agreement.
XVI. CONTINUITY OF EMPLOYMENT
Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx intends and expects to give the Apprentice continuous
employment. The Sponsor reserves the right, however, to lay off Apprentices
whenever conditions of business make it necessary. If an Apprentice is laid off
because of lack of work, an opportunity will be given for reinstatement before
any other person is employed as an Apprentice.
XVII. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
The Committee shall maintain complete records on each Apprentice, covering all
details of their selection and apprenticeship, including work progress,
attendance, and progress in related training. The Committee will also maintain
complete records of the selection process applied to each applicant for
apprenticeship for at least five (5) years from the date of the application.
XVIII. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of the apprenticeship as
established herein, the Committee shall forward the name of the completing
Apprentice to the Employer who shall certify in writing the name of the
completing Apprentice.
XIX. ESTABLISHMENT OF SENIORITY
Unless the JAC determines otherwise, all apprentices will be selected from the
current workforce of Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx. All Apprentices will establish
seniority in the Maintenance Department based upon their current plant
continuous service date unless they already have seniority in the Maintenance
Department. However, if any employee outside the Maintenance Department is
indentured as an apprentice, that employee either on their own accord or at the
direction of the JAC may return to their home department within 1040 hours of
work as an apprentice without loss of seniority or job rights within their home
department. After 1040 hours the apprentice's seniority will be established in
the Maintenance Department. If subsequently the apprentice is terminated from
the program for any reason, they will be allowed to exercise their
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seniority based upon qualifications and their plant continuous service date in
the Maintenance Department.
XX. SCHEDULES
Apprentices will be scheduled to ensure the best possible training. Journeymen
will not be allowed to displace any Apprentices scheduled for any reason except
for layoff. Also, Apprentices will not be allowed to displace any other
Apprentice as scheduled for any reason. Apprentices will be laid off prior to
any Journeyman layoffs in the same craft.
XXI. OVERTIME
Apprentices will be allowed to work overtime, but will not be utilized to
displace Journeymen for overtime. Apprentices will not be allowed to work
excessive overtime. If the Sponsor is required to force a Journeyman to work
overtime an Apprentice cannot be forced to work that overtime even if the
Apprentice has less seniority.
XXII. CONSULTANTS
Advice and assistance in the successful operation of this Apprenticeship Program
will be available at any time, upon request by the Sponsor or Apprentice from
outside consultants as deemed necessary by the Committee.
XXIII. TERMINATION AND MODIFICATION
The Employer reserves the right to discontinue at any time the Apprenticeship
Program as set forth herein, including any modifications or amendments thereto.
XXIV. AMENDMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS
These Standards of Apprenticeship may be amended at any time by the Sponsor,
provided that no amendment or modification adopted shall alter any
Apprenticeship Agreement in force at the time of such change without the consent
of the Apprentice involved. A copy of each amendment adopted will also be
furnished to each Apprentice employed by the Sponsor.
XXV. ADJUSTING DIFFERENCES
Apprentices are encouraged to take up individual problems with their supervisor
and/or the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Either the Employer or the Apprentice
may request advice and assistance from consultants on problems or in adjusting
any differences that may arise during the term of apprenticeship.
XXVI. SELECTION OF APPRENTICES
Initially Apprentices shall be selected from the present workforce of Rocky
Mountain Steel Xxxxx. All openings from any apprenticeship shall be posted in
each department throughout the plant, in the Payroll Department, Guard
Headquarters and in Employee Resources. Any employee wishing to apply must file
a "Statement of Qualifications" on a form approved by the Joint Apprenticeship
Committee and furnished by the Company. Current Journeyman will not be allowed
to apply for an apprenticeship to another craft until all other applicants have
been exhausted. The competed form and such other records as the JAC may
prescribe, shall constitute the competed application. In addition, the following
will be required:
APPENDIX D-6
APTITUDE - Each applicant must possess the aptitude essential to acquiring
the skills of the trade as determined by prescribed aptitude tests.
Certification of scores on the specific aptitude tests as administered by
the Colorado Department of Employment is required. Only applicants who
score "High" as certified by the Department of Employment will be
considered.
PHYSICAL - Each applicant must be physically able to perform all work of
the trade and able to pass such examinations as the Company may require
from a licensed physician.
EDUCATION - Each Apprentice must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Candidates not meeting the basic qualifications will be notified and their
applications will not be further considered. Those meeting the basic
qualifications will be notified to appear for an interview and evaluation of
qualifications. This program shall be operated on a completely
non-discriminatory basis.
The Committee shall hold periodic evaluations as required. All applicants who
have made application and meet the minimum requirements shall be placed on a
ranking list with the most qualified applicant placed on top of the list and so
forth in descending order of score attained. If there is an immediate need to
fill a vacancy, the highest rated applicant shall be offered the vacancy, etc.
All applicants who are placed on a ranking list shall remain eligible for
referral to apprenticeship for two years.
The records required by this plan and any other information relevant to
compliance with these regulations shall be maintained for five (5) years.
DESCRIPTION OF RATING PROCESS FOR APPRENTICE APPLICANTS
Following receipt of all "Statement of Qualifications" filed in accordance with
the "Announcement of Apprenticeship Opportunities", all applicants will be rated
by each of the five members of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. All means by
which the Committee members could identify the applicant shall be eliminated and
the rating based solely upon the information submitted on the "Statement of
Qualifications". The Committee members shall each have a rating from 1 to 10
points in each of three evaluation factors.
A. APPLIED EDUCATION: The Committee members shall consider grades in math,
shop, sciences, mechanical drawing, blueprint, and other applied trade subjects.
B. PREVIOUS TRAINING: The Committee members shall consider apprentice,
military, trade school, or job training in, or related to the trade.
C. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: The Committee members shall consider experience in
the trade, and related jobs, in the industry, or in mechanical work.
The applicant will also be notified to appear for a personal interview with the
appropriate craft supervisor and will be rated on the basis of the interview and
evaluation of qualifications. The Supervisor will have a range from 1 to 5
points in each of five evaluation factors.
APPENDIX D-7
A. APPLIED EDUCATION: The Supervisor shall consider grades in math, shop,
sciences, mechanical drawing, blueprint, and other applied trade subjects.
B. PREVIOUS TRAINING: The Supervisor shall consider apprentice, military,
trade school, or job training in, or related to the trade.
C. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: The Supervisor shall consider experience in the
trade, and related jobs, in the industry, or in mechanical work.
D. INTEREST: The Supervisor shall consider a desire to learn a skilled trade
and knowledge of and reasons for choosing trade as well as considering related
hobbies.
E. PERSONAL: The Supervisor shall consider character, habits, appearance,
aggressiveness, sincerity, dependability, and attitude.
Points will be added to the overall rating score according to continuous service
as follows:
Years of Continuous Service
-----------------------------
0 but less than 3 1 points
3 but less than 6 2 points
6 but less than 9 3 points
9 but less than 12 4 points
More than 12 5 points
Maximum points that can be received will be 180. Following is the point
breakdown:
A. Applied Education 55 Pts. Maximum
B. Previous Training 55 Pts. Maximum
C. Previous Experience 55 Pts. Maximum
D. Interest 5 Pts. Maximum
E. Personal 5 Pts. Maximum
F. Continuous Service 5 Pts. Maximum
Total 180 Pts. Maximum
Following the interview and evaluation of qualifications, all applicants are
ranked in a descending order of qualifications, based upon the numerical ratings
from each of the five Committee members and the craft Supervisor. As conditions
warrant the starting of new apprentices, the highest ranked applicant is
afforded the opportunity for indenture as an apprentice.
XXVII. SEXUAL HARASSMENT
It shall be the policy of Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx to prohibit sexual
harassment in the workplace. As defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission: Sexual harassment is the unwelcome or unsolicited verbal, physical,
or sexual conduct that is made a term or condition of employment, is used as a
basis of employment or advancement decisions, or has the effect of unreasonably
interfering with work or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work
environment. Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx will take whatever actions are necessary
to
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preclude incidents of sexual harassment from occurring so that all Apprentices
are afforded the opportunity to work in an environment free from unsolicited,
unwelcome, sexual overtones. All Apprentices are expected to support the efforts
of the Sponsor by fostering an open and friendly work environment, yet one free
of inappropriate pressures for all members of the workforce.
XXVIII. CONFORMANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS
No section of these Standards of Apprenticeship shall be construed as permitting
violation of any Law of the State of Colorado or of the United States.
XXXIV OFFICIAL ADOPTION OF STANDARDS
The foregoing Standards of Apprenticeship are hereby officially adopted this
____________ day of 2004.
TRADE SCHEDULE
The Trade Schedule has been mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
APPENDIX D-9
APPENDIX F
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: QUALIFICATIONS
The parties agree that for the duration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
("CBA"), any employee hired at Rocky Mountain Steel Xxxxx between October 3 and
December 30, 1997, shall not have the skills he learned nor the qualifications
he obtained during the Labor Dispute taken into consideration for the purpose of
determining said employee's ability or capability under Article 7, Section 3A of
the CBA, where such consideration would allow the employee's selection over a
more senior employee. For the purposes of this Memorandum of Understanding,
"Labor Dispute" shall be defined as the time between October 3, 1997 and the
effective date of the Labor Dispute Settlement Agreement. The Parties agree that
for the first eighteen (18) months of the CBA, any vacancy of fourteen (14)
calendar days or more will be offered to the most senior employee capable of
performing the work within a reasonable period of time with reasonable training.
This Appendix F shall also apply to Leadman positions.
APPENDIX E
SCHEDULE OF OMITTED COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
The following Collective Bargaining Agreements have not been filed as Exhibits
pursuant to Instruction 2 of Item 601(a) of Regulation S-K. This Schedule is
included to summarize the material differences from the Collective Bargaining
Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.21.
1. Collective Bargaining Agreement dated January 14, 2004, between Rocky
Mountain Steel Xxxxx and United Steelworkers of America Local 3267.
2. Collective Bargaining Agreement dated January 14, 2004, between Rocky
Mountain Steel Xxxxx and United Steelworkers of America Local 3267 (Plant
Protection).
Omitted Items 1 and 2 are substantially similar to the Collective Bargaining
Agreement filed herewith, except that:
(i) Omitted Items 1 and 2 do not include "Water Department
Employees" in Article 2, Section 1;
(ii) Omitted Items 1 and 2 have a differing definition of
"Employee" in Article 2, Section 2;
(iii) Omitted Items 1 and 2 have differing Seniority provisions in Article 7,
Section 1; and
(iv) Omitted Items 1 and 2 do not contain Article 11, Section 8, which
pertains to Water Department Employees.
