LABOR AGREEMENT

 

 

COMMUNITY SERVICES CONSORTIUM

and

AFSCME, Local NO 3563

AFL-CIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                      

PREAMBLE   ……………………………............................................................................ 5

 

ARTICLE I.          RECOGNITION  ……………………………………………………………5

       Section 1.             Union Recognized                           

 

ARTICLE II.         GENERAL PROVISIONS…………………………………………………..5

       Section 1.             Zipper Clause

       Section 2.             Gender Definition

 

ARTICLE III.        MANAGEMENT RIGHTS…………………………………………………..5

 

ARTICLE IV.        UNION RIGHTS……………………………………………………………..6

       Section 1.             Check off

       Section 2.             Fair Share Agreement

       Section 3.             Employee Listing

 

ARTICLE V.         UNION ACTIVITY…………………………………………………………..7

       Section 1.             Union Activity

       Section 2.             Bulletin Boards

       Section 3.             Union Responsibility

 

ARTICLE VI.        NON DISCRIMINATION…………………………………………………..8

       Section 1.             Union/Non-Union Membership

       Section 2.             Non-Discrimination

 

ARTICLE VII.       STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS……………………………………………..8

       Section 1.             No Strike Provision

       Section 2.             Notification of Union

       Section 3.             No Lockout Provision

 

ARTICLE VIII.      HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME………………………………….9

       Section 1.             Application of this Article

       Section 2.             Regular Hours

       Section 3.             Standard Full Time Workweek

       Section 4.             Work Schedules

       Section 5.             Flex or Adjusted Schedules

       Section 6.             Overtime Premium

       Section 7.             Rest Periods

       Section 8.             Meal Periods

       Section 9.             Unusual Work Situations

       Section 10.           Unused Rest and Meal Situations Time

       Section 11.           Call-In Time

 

ARTICLE IX.               OTHER LEAVES OF ABSENCE……………………………………..10

       Section 1.             Leave Procedures

       Section 2.             Leave Without Pay

       Section 3.             Parental Leave

       Section 4.             Compassionate Leave

       Section 5.             Witness or Jury Duty

       Section 6.             Military

       Section 7.             Educational and Training Leave

       Section 8.             Seniority

ARTICLE X.         PROBATION PERIOD…………………………………..………………..12

       Section 1.             Definition

       Section 2.             Promotional Probation

       Section 3.             Promotional Step Increases

       Section 4.             Date of Anniversary Change for Promoted Employees

 

ARTICLE XI.               HOLIDAYS………………………………………………..…………….…13

       Section 1.            Holidays

       Section 2.             Holiday Date Modification

       Section 3.             Holiday Pay

       Section 4.             Weekend Holidays

       Section 5.             Holiday During Leave

       Section 6.             Holiday Work

       Section 7.             Eligibility for Holiday Pay

      

ARTICLE XII.       VACATION LEAVE…………………………………………..………..…14

       Section 1.             Accrual

       Section 2.             Scheduling

       Section 3.             Accumulation

       Section 4.             Termination or Death

       Section 5.             Continued Vacation Credit

      

ARTICLE XIII.      SICK LEAVE……………………………………………………..………15

       Section 1.             Accrual

       Section 2.             On-The-Job Accident

       Section 3.             Scope

       Section 4.             Retirement, Disability or Death

       Section 5.             Sick Leave Reinstatement

       Section 6.             Unused Sick Leave Conversion

 

ARTICLE XIV.     SENIORITY…………………………………………………….………..16

       Section 1.             Definition

       Section 2.             Acquisition of Seniority

       Section 3.             Seniority List Posting

       Section 4.             Layoff

       Section 5.             Recall

       Section 6.             Filling of Vacancies

       Section 7.             Continuous Service

 

ARTICLE XV.      CLASSIFICATION…………………………………………….……….18

       Section 1.             Reclassification Request

       Section 2.             Classification Request

       Section 3.             Working Out of Classification

       Section 4.             Classification Not Guaranteed

 

ARTICLE XVI.     WAGES AND SALARIES……………………………………..………19

       Section 1.             Wages

       Section 2.             Wages in the Third through 5th Year of this Agreement

       Section 3.             Social Security

       Section 4.             Salary and Wage Re-opener

       Section 5.             Step Increases

       Section 6.             Pay Periods

 

 

ARTICLE XVII.    HEALTH AND WELFARE…………………………………….……..…..20

       Section 1.             Medical and Dental Insurance Premiums During the Term                                                           of this agreement

       Section 2.             Life Insurance

       Section 3.             Disability Insurance

       Section 4.             Dependent Medical Insurance Continuation

       Section 5.             Deferred Compensation Plan

       Section 6.             Health and Welfare Proration

       Section 7.             Health Benefits Committee

       Section 8.             Employee Assistance Program

       Section 9.             Flexible Spending Account

 

ARTICLE XVIII.   PERS (PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM)……….….....22

       Section 1.             Contributions

 

ARTICLE XIX.     EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE……………………………………..…….……22

       Section 1.             Corrective Discipline

       Section 2.             Removal of Discipline

       Section 3.             Administration of Discipline

       Section 4.             Presence of Shop Steward

       Section 5.             Notice to Union

 

ARTICLE XX.      SAFETY…………………………………………………..…………..........23

       Section 1.             Safety Rules

       Section 2.             Labor/Management Committees for Wellness

 

ARTICLE XXI.     MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS…………………………..…….…….23

       Section 1.             Job Sharing

       Section 2.             Transfer Notice

       Section 3.             Mileage Pay

       Section 4.             Bargaining Unit Work

       Section 5.             Contract Work

       Section 6.             Negotiations

       Section 7.             Regular Employee

 

ARTICLE XXII.    GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE………………………….…..……………..24

       Section 1.             Grievance Definitions

       Section 2.             Time Limitation Procedures

       Section 3.             Informal Discussion Permitted

       Section 4.             Confidentiality

       Section 5.             Exclusive Remedy

       Section 6.             Grievance Procedure

                                    Grievance at Step 1

                                    Grievance at Step 2

                                    Grievance at Step 3

                                    Grievance at Step 4

       Section 7.             Absence from Work Station

 

ARTICLE XXIII.   SAVINGS CLAUSE………………………………………..…….……….28

 

ARTICLE XXIV.   TERM OF CONTRACT…………………………………….......………..31

                            

                             SIGNATURE PAGE………………………………………...……………31       

 

 

PREAMBLE

This agreement is entered into between the Community Services Consortium, hereinafter referred to as "CSC" and Local 3563, affiliated with Council 75 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL - CIO, hereinafter referred to as the "Union."

 

The purpose of the agreement is to set forth those matters pertaining to rates of pay, hours of work, fringe benefits and other matters pertaining to employment.

 

 

ARTICLE I. RECOGNITION

 

Section 1.  Union Recognized. 

The Community Services Consortium recognizes the Union as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for the purpose of establishing salaries, hours and other conditions of employment for all employees of the Community Services Consortium except temporary employees (those employees who work fewer than 1,040 hours in any fiscal year), part-time employees (regularly working a schedule of fewer than 20 hours per week), and employees who, because of their supervisory or confidential status, do not have statutory bargaining rights.

 

 

ARTICLE II. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1. Zipper Clause. 

Nothing herein shall preclude CSC and the Union from meeting during the term of this agreement at the request of either party to discuss procedures for avoiding grievances and for generally improving relations between the parties; however, CSC shall have the unqualified right to unilaterally modify any employment condition not covered by the terms of this agreement, and to do so without bargaining either the decision to do so, or its impact on the bargaining unit.

 

Section 2. Gender Definition. 

For the purposes of this agreement, the word "employee" shall refer only to CSC employees who are members of the bargaining unit as defined in Section 1 of Article 1.  All references to employees designate both sexes, and whenever either gender is used it shall be construed to include both male and female employees.

 

 

ARTICLE III. MANAGEMENT RIGHTS

 

Except as otherwise expressly limited by the terms of this agreement, CSC shall retain all the customary, usual and exclusive rights, decision-making prerogatives, functions and authority connected with or in any way incident to its responsibility to manage the affairs of CSC or any division or part thereof.  Without limitation, but by way of illustration, the exclusive prerogatives, functions and rights of CSC shall include the following:

 

A.   To determine the services to be provided to the citizens of the tri-county (Linn, Benton, and Lincoln) area.

 

B.   To determine CSC's financial, budgetary and accounting procedures.

 

C.  To direct and supervise all operations, functions and policies of the program in which the employees in the bargaining unit are employed.

 

D.  To close or liquidate any office, branch, operation or facility or combination of facilities, or to relocate, reorganize or combine the work of programs, offices, branches, operations or facilities.

 

E.   To manage and direct the work force, including but not limited to, the right to determine the methods, processes and manner of performing work; the right to hire, promote and retain employees; the right to determine schedules of work; the right to purchase, dispose of and assign equipment or supplies.

 

F.   To contract out any work it deems necessary in the interest of efficiency, economy, improved work product, or emergency, when it is in the public interest, subject to the provisions of Article XXI, Section 5.

 

G.  To determine the need for a reduction or an increase in the work force.

 

H.   To establish, revise and implement reasonable standards for hiring, classification, promotion, quality of work, safety materials and equipment.

 

I.    To implement new and to revise or discard, wholly or in part, old methods, procedures, materials, equipment, facilities and standards.

 

J.   To assign shifts, workdays, hours of work and work locations.

 

K.   To designate and to assign all work duties.

 

L.   To determine the need for, and the qualifications of new, transferred or promoted employees.

 

M.  To discipline, suspend, demote or discharge post-probationary employees, so long as such action does not lack just cause.  Probationary employees shall serve at the discretion of CSC.

 

N.   To determine the need for additional educational courses, training programs, on-the-job training, and/or cross-training, and to assign employees to such duties for such periods as determined by CSC.

 

 

ARTICLE IV. UNION RIGHTS

 

Section 1. Check Off. 

While this agreement is in effect, CSC agrees to deduct the monthly membership dues from the pay of those employees who individually request such deductions in writing, and to remit the aggregate thereof to the treasurer of the Union not later than the tenth day of the next succeeding month, together with an itemized statement.  CSC shall furnish a check-off form which includes employee status and authorization to deduct dues.  Each employee must complete the check-off form and return it to the administrative services program director within the first thirty (30) days of employment.

 

Section 2. Fair Share Agreement

            A.        Each employee who, thirty (30) days after the date of hire, is a member of the bargaining unit which the Union serves as a certified agent but who is not a member and chooses to remain not a member of the Union is subject to the provisions of this Section.  Inasmuch as it is required that the Union represent every employee within the bargaining unit, making each employee thus a recipient of the Union's services, it is mutually agreed and recognized by the parties that each employee shall proportionately and fairly share in the cost of the collective bargaining process.  Therefore, the cost per employee is fixed proportionately at the amount of dues uniformly required of each member of the Union, which amount shall be deducted monthly from each Union member and each non-Union member's compensation and remitted monthly in the aggregate to the treasurer of the Union.

 

            B.         Such amounts certified by the Union as being the monthly dues approved by the members of the Union shall be the reasonable amount to be deducted hereunder.

 

            C.        A like amount in lieu of dues shall be automatically deducted from all employees in the bargaining unit who have not signed an authorization form requesting Union membership dues deduction.

 

D.        Individual employee objections to membership or deduction of dues based on bona fide religious tenets or the teachings of a church or religious body of which the employee is a member shall require the employee to inform CSC and the Union of the objection.  The employee shall meet with representatives of CSC and the Union to determine a satisfactory distribution of a contribution equivalent to regular Union membership dues to a charity selected by the employee.

 

E.         The Union agrees that all money collected and/or distributed herein shall comply with the

provisions of ORS 260.432 (1).

 

F.         The Union shall indemnify, defend, and save CSC and/or  any of its management

employees harmless, for any costs incurred through any court or other legal proceeding instituted by any employee in the bargaining unit as a result of the application of this Section.  The Union hereby certifies that this Article has been approved by a majority of the employees in the bargaining unit.

 

Section 3. Employee Listing. 

CSC agrees to furnish the Union a monthly listing of all new bargaining unit employees hired during the month, all employees who change their names or move and all bargaining unit employees who are terminated during the month.  Such listing shall contain the names and home addresses of the employees along with their job classifications and work locations.

 

 

ARTICLE V. UNION ACTIVITY

 

Section 1. Union Activity. 

Except as herein expressly permitted or agreed to by CSC, Union business other than grievances shall be transacted outside of normal working hours.   (An exception may be granted if a request is made to the CSC Executive Director by the Union president.)  A Union representative may enter CSC property to conduct Union business provided that notice is given to the appropriate program director or authorized CSC representative.

 

The Union agrees to provide written notification to CSC within ten (10) working days following election of Union officers, representatives, stewards, or other Union officials.  The chief steward or an alternate steward may conduct Union business directly related to the filing and subsequent processing of an employee's grievance during working hours without loss of compensation, provided that reasonable notice is given to the program director.

 

Duties required by the Union of its stewards, excepting attendance at meetings with CSC supervisory personnel and aggrieved employees concerning grievance issues, shall not interfere with their or other employees' regular work assignments.   Union officers and stewards are allowed to hold brief discussions during work hours with represented employees regarding contract enforcement; such conversations shall be no more than five minutes in length and shall not interfere with the operation of the employer.

 

Section 2. Bulletin Boards. 

CSC agrees to provide bulletin boards for the Union's use in its Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, and Newport locations.  These bulletin boards are to be used by the Union for material of a non-controversial and non-political nature.  The Union agrees to maintain material on the bulletin boards in a neat and orderly fashion and promptly remove outdated information.  CSC retains ownership of these bulletin boards.

 

Section 3. Union Responsibility.

The Union acknowledges responsibility as the bargaining agent and agrees to represent all employees with respect to grievances as herein defined.  Such representation shall be afforded every employee in the bargaining unit, whether or not that employee is a member of the Union.  Nothing in this Section shall be construed as requiring the Union to pursue grievances that the Union considers invalid or non-meritorious.

 

 

ARTICLE VI. NON-DISCRIMINATION

 

Section 1. Union/Non-Union Membership. 

Neither CSC nor the Union shall interfere with the right of employees covered by this agreement to become or not become members of the Union.  The provisions of this agreement shall be applied to all members of the bargaining unit equitably, with respect to agreements made herein.

 

Section 2. Non-Discrimination. 

The provisions of this agreement shall be applied equally to all employees in the bargaining unit without discrimination as to age, sex, marital status, sexual preference, race, color, creed, national origin, or political affiliation.

 

 

ARTICLE VII. STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

 

Section 1. No Strike Provision. 

During the term of this agreement, the Union and its members, as individuals and as a group, shall not initiate, cause, permit, participate, or join in any strike, work stoppage, slow down, picketing, or any other restriction of CSC work.  Disciplinary action, including discharge, may be taken against any employee or employees engaging in any act in violation of this Article.  Such disciplinary action shall not preclude or restrict other remedies which may be available to CSC.

 

Section 2. Notification of Union. 

In the event of a strike, work stoppage, slow down, or the observance of a picket line in violation of ORS 243.732, CSC shall notify the Union by certified letter, telegram or phone mailgram, to a representative of AFSCME Council #75 and/or to the president of AFSCME Local 3563.  Following notification, AFSCME or AFSCME's designee shall secure an immediate and orderly return to work.  This obligation shall not be affected or limited by the subject matter involved in the dispute giving rise to the work stoppage, or whether such subject matter is or is not subject to the grievance provisions of this agreement.  Should any amendment to ORS 243.732 occur during the term of this agreement, the parties shall meet within ten working days thereof for the purpose of negotiating a substitute for the provision of this Section.

 

Section 3. No Lockout Provision. 

During the term of this agreement, CSC shall not instigate a lockout over a dispute with the Union so long as there is no breach of Section 1 of this Article.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME

 

Section 1. Application of This Article. 

This Article is intended as a basis for calculating overtime payments and establishing work schedules.  Nothing in this Article shall be construed as a guarantee of hours of work per day or per week.  Where this agreement covers matters addressed in ORS 279.340 and 279.342, CSC and the Union specifically waive application of these statutes.

 

Section 2. Regular Hours. 

Working hours for each employee shall be regular and consecutive, except for meal periods.

 

Section 3.  Standard Full Time Workweek. 

Excluding meal periods, the workweek shall consist of forty (40) hours per week, not to be worked in excess of five (5) consecutive days with at least two (2) consecutive days off, or four (4) consecutive days with at least three days off, as designated by CSC.

 

Section 4. Work Schedules. 

Except for emergencies, or mutual agreement between employees and program directors, work schedules shall not be changed unless ten (10) working days' notice is provided to employees.

 

Section 5. Flex or Adjusted Schedules. 

A flex or adjusted schedule may be initiated by the employer, or requested by the employee, when a special requirement is identified.  A flex schedule is intended to accommodate the special needs of CSC or the employee within CSC's operational needs.

 

Section 6.  Overtime Premium. 

An employee shall be paid or granted compensatory time off at CSC's discretion at one and one-half (1-1/2) times the employee's regular rate of pay for all time worked in excess of forty (40) hours in any scheduled workweek.  All overtime must be pre-approved by an authorized supervisor.  No bargaining unit member may unilaterally decide to work overtime.  Accrued compensatory time may not exceed a maximum of forty (40) hours.  Accrued compensatory time in excess of forty (40) hours shall be paid in the pay period in which it was earned, or the employee shall be granted immediate time off.  CSC shall not alter schedules where the intent is to deny employees overtime.

 

 Section 7. Rest Periods. 

All employees' work schedules shall provide for a fifteen (15) minute rest period during each one-half (½) shift.  Rest periods shall be scheduled at the middle of each one-half (½) shift whenever feasible.  Employees who are authorized by their supervisors to work beyond their regular quitting time into the next shift shall receive a fifteen (15) minute rest period before they start work on the next succeeding shift, if it is anticipated by the supervisor that the overtime will extend to a minimum of one (1) hour.  In addition, employees shall be granted the regular rest periods during each additional shift.  Rest periods that are not taken during a given shift shall not be considered as overtime accumulation.  Rest periods shall be scheduled in a manner which will not interrupt the efficient operation of the program.

 

Section 8.  Meal Periods. 

Employees shall receive an unpaid lunch period of at least one-half (½) hour, but not more than one hour during each work shift.  Whenever possible, lunch periods shall be scheduled at the middle of the shift.  Length of lunch periods shall be in accordance with existing practice in each program area.  An employee required to be on duty during a lunch period shall be compensated.  Prior supervisory approval for such compensation is required.

 

Section 9. Unusual Work Situations. 

 

When unusual situations occur which prevent a rest or meal period being taken at the assigned time, that rest or meal period must be taken as soon as it can be reasonably arranged.  Supervisors and staff will work together to see that workers get their rest or meal period normally and consistently.

 

Section 10. Unused Rest and Meal Time. 

Rest and meal time not utilized may not accumulate for later use.

 

Section 11. Call-In Time. 

Employees called in to work outside their regular shifts shall be paid a minimum of three (3) hours at regular rate of pay, or actual time, whichever is greater.  If call-in results in exceeding the forty (40) hour workweek, the pay rate shall be determined pursuant to Section 5 of this Article.

 

Call-in shall be authorized in advance by an appropriate supervisor.  Violation of this Section may result in disciplinary action.

 

 

ARTICLE IX. OTHER LEAVES OF ABSENCE

 

Section 1. Leave Procedure. 

Employees may request leaves of absence for the purposes specified in this Article.  Each request shall be judged by the Executive Director on its merits and on the basis of the guidelines provided in this Article.

 

No leave of absence, with or without pay, shall be granted unless a request is submitted by the employee in writing to the program director or the Executive Director pursuant to Section 2 of this Article.  Approval of leaves shall be obtained prior to the beginning of leave periods.  All paid leaves shall be considered time worked.

 

Section 2. Leave Without Pay. 

Program directors may, for any reasonable purpose, grant a leave of absence without pay for a period not to exceed 90 calendar days.  Leaves of absence without pay in excess of 90 calendar days may be approved at the discretion of the Executive Director.

 

Section 3.  Parental Leave. 

Parental  leave shall be granted upon written request to the program director for a period not to exceed 90 days (approximately 12 weeks) from the date of birth of a child or from the date of custody in an adoption of a child under six years of age, inclusive of paid leave accruals.  In special circumstances, upon written request to the Executive Director, an additional 90 days (approximately 12 weeks), may be granted.  No leave may exceed a maximum of six (6) months.   An employee (male or female) may utilize paid sick leave.   Continuation of, or pro-ration of benefits, shall be subject to CSC policies regarding timely prepayment of applicable premiums by the employee during all periods of leave without pay.  At the end of this leave, employees shall resume duties as provided in ORS 659.360.

 

Under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993(FMLA) up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave is provided to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons.  Please see Department of Labor postings and talk to Personnel for additional information.

 

OFLA/FMLA leave overlaps the first 12 weeks of leave provided by CSC under the AFSCME Labor Agreement and/or CSC Personnel Policies.  CSC uses the calendar year method of calculating the 12 weeks, and all paid leave accruals must be used prior to unpaid leave.

 

Section 4. Compassionate Leave.

In addition to regular sick leave, employees shall be granted not more than three (3) days leave of absence with pay per fiscal year in the event of a death in their immediate family, in order to make household adjustments or to attend funeral services.  In the event of a family death occurring more than two hundred (200) miles from home, employees shall be granted an additional two (2) days paid leave of absence.  This leave shall not be charged to any other accrued leave.  An employee's immediate family shall be defined as spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, brother, sister, grandparents, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, stepmother, stepfather, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law.  In relationships other than those set forth above, and under exceptional circumstances, the Executive Director may approve leave.  In the event of more than one compassionate incident occurring in the same fiscal year, the Executive Director may grant additional paid compassionate leave.

 

Section 5. Witness or Jury Duty. 

When employees are called for jury duty or are subpoenaed as a witness, they shall thereafter transfer compensation received in the amount of $100 or more for the performance of such duty to CSC in exchange for CSC continuing their regular compensation.  Such time shall be considered as time worked.  Compensation monies are to be submitted to the Finance Department.  If an employee is required to stay overnight or through a weekend, these special expenses, as well as statutory mileage payments, may be retained by the employee.

 

Section 6. Military. 

An employee of CSC who is a member of the national guard or a reserve component of the armed forces for the United States shall be entitled to a leave of absence with pay and without impairment of other rights or benefits for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) calendar days per year.  Leaves in excess of fifteen (15) calendar days per year shall be without pay.  Military leaves of absence and reinstatement of employment shall conform to all applicable state statutes.

 

Section 7. Educational and Training Leave. 

An employee may request, and a program director may approve, a formal educational course, workshop or training seminar  provided by a college, certified school, or a professional training provider.   Paid  time off will only be granted if taken during working hours and will only be granted when the training directly benefits CSC.  Any exceptions must be approved by the Executive Director.

 

Employee Educational Agreement

 

In all instances where a formal educational course(s) is approved, an employee must, prior to enrolling, sign an agreement containing the following terms:

 

1.   The employee agrees to continue in CSC employment for a minimum period of one year dating from the completion of the course(s).

 

2.   The employee agrees in the event he/she chooses to leave CSC employment and not complete the minimum period as outlined in #1 above, the employee shall repay CSC the cost of the educational course(s) on a pro-rated basis, directly related to the employment period not completed.

 

3.   The employee agrees any repayment required by #2 above shall be deducted from the employee's final payroll check.

 

4.   This rule may be utilized to maintain teacher or professional  certification required by the State of Oregon. Employees utilizing this rule must present proof of satisfactory course completion when requesting reimbursement.

 

 

Section 8.  Seniority. 

Any employee granted a leave of absence under this Article shall retain existing seniority; however, an employee shall not accrue seniority during any leave without pay which exceeds three (3) months.

 

 

ARTICLE X. PROBATION PERIOD

 

Section 1. Definition. 

All employees newly hired or promoted into positions covered by this agreement shall be considered probationary until they complete a probationary period.  The probationary period for full-time regular employees is defined as 1,040 hours of trial service, during which employees serve at the pleasure of CSC and may be discharged without just cause.  The probationary period for regular part-time employees shall be pro-rated on an hourly basis according to approved F.T.E.  Exceptions to the terms of this article will be governed by Rule 7 in the CSC Personnel Policies.  Off-probation dates are established as the first day of the next payroll period following completion of minimum probation service.

 

Section 2.  Promotional Probation Period. 

The probationary period for an employee promoted into a higher position than held previously is defined as 520 working hours of trial service.  The probationary period for regular part-time employees shall be pro-rated on an hourly basis according to approved F.T.E.  An employee serving a promotional probationary period shall be eligible for reinstatement to the same or equal position previously held if the employee is deemed by CSC to be unsatisfactory in the new position.

 

Section 3. Promotional Step Increases. 

A promoted employee shall receive a step increase of at least five percent (5%) of current salary at the time of the promotion but shall not receive a step increase at the end of the probationary period.

 

 

 

 

Section 4. Date of Anniversary Change For Promoted Employees.

The anniversary date of  employees who are promoted shall be changed to reflect their dates of promotion consistent with Section 1 of this Article.  Application of this Section applies to timing of future step increases.

 

ARTICLE XI. HOLIDAYS

 

Section 1.  Holidays.  The following are legal holidays:

1.   New Years Day - January 1

2.   Martin L. King's Birthday - 3rd Monday in January

3.   President's Day - 3rd Monday in February

4.   Memorial Day - Last Monday in May

5.   Independence Day - July 4

6.   Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

7.   Veteran's Day - November 11

8.   Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

9.   Christmas Day - December 25

10. Two  floating  holidays  during  the  fiscal  year.    To  be  used  when

approved by an appropriate supervisor.

11. In addition to the above, any day approved by the CSC Governing Board.

 

Section 2. Holiday Date Modification. 

The above dates may be modified by mutual consent if inconsistent with state and/or federal actions occurring subsequent to this agreement.

 

Section 3. Holiday Pay. 

If eligible pursuant to Section 7 of this Article, each employee shall receive one day's pay for each holiday listed above. Part-time employees shall be paid holiday pay pro-rated in direct proportion to approved FTE.  Employees required to work on any of the holidays listed in Section 1 shall be paid or granted compensatory time off at CSC's discretion at two (2) times the regular rate of pay.  (The intent of this language is to pay double time for holiday work.)  Compensatory time earned may be used on a date mutually agreed on by employees and supervisors.

 

Section 4. Weekend Holidays. 

Whenever a holiday falls on an employee's scheduled day off, or when the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it shall be observed on the nearest scheduled work day.

 

Section 5. Holiday During Leave. 

An employee shall receive holiday pay if the holiday falls during any authorized leave with pay.  If an employee is on authorized vacation with pay when a holiday occurs, the holiday shall not be charged against the employee's vacation.

 

Section 6. Holiday Work. 

All employees who work on holidays must receive written authorization from their supervisor prior to the holiday.

 

Section 7. Eligibility for Holiday Pay. 

To be eligible for holiday pay, an employee must work the day before and the day after the holiday or be on authorized leave with pay.  For new hires, eligibility for the two (2) floating holidays listed in Section 1 of this Article is contingent on the date of hire in the first year of employment.   Employees hired from July 1 to September 30 shall be eligible for two (2) floating holidays.  Employees hired from October 1 to March 31 shall be eligible for one (1) floating holiday.  Employees hired on or after April 1 shall not accrue any floating holiday.

 

 

ARTICLE XII. VACATION LEAVE

 

Section 1.  Accrual. 

All full-time employees shall accrue vacation leave in the following manner:

1st through 4th year                            8.00 hours per month

5th through 9th year                            10.00 hours per month

10th through 14th year                         12.00 hours per month

15 years through 19th year                  14.00 hours per month

                               20 years and over                              16.00 hours per month

 

Probationary employees shall not accrue vacation hours; however, full-time employees shall be granted 48 hours of vacation leave after successfully completing their probationary periods, and post-probationary part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week shall be granted vacation leave on a pro-rated basis, based on established FTE.

 

Employees may not receive more paid vacation leave than they have accrued, or will accrue during the current fiscal year.  An employee with a negative vacation balance (more claimed than earned) at the end of the fiscal year must reimburse CSC for the overpayment.  Responsibility rests with each employee to track his/her leave accruals and usage.

 

Section 2. Scheduling. 

Employees shall be permitted to select split or full vacation leaves.  Whenever practical  and consistent with the needs of CSC and availability of vacation relief, employees shall have the right to select vacation periods.  Employees must request vacation in writing to their supervisors, allowing at least as much notice as the vacation period requested, but in no event less than five (5) days.  Vacations shall be considered granted unless CSC makes a written denial within the afore noted notice period.  With mutual consent, the notice period may be waived.  Selection of vacation leave shall be on the basis of seniority;  however, such exercise of seniority right shall apply to only one vacation period in each fiscal year.  It is understood that it is the employee’s responsibility to attempt to schedule all of their vacation within the fiscal year.

 

Section 3. Accumulation. 

Effective July 1, 1999, employees will be allowed to keep the vacation accrual in their vacation leave banks as of June 30, 1999, for the remainder of their career at CSC, unless they choose to use it in any following fiscal year.  Effective July 1, 1999, and each fiscal year thereafter, on July 1, employees will be credited with their full fiscal year’s accrual of vacation, including any increases in accrual that may occur during that fiscal year. 

 

Employees must use 50% of their vacation accrued during each fiscal year (except the unused accrual as of June 30, 1999), by June 30 of that same fiscal year, as well as any vacation carried over from the previous fiscal year or those vacation hours will be forfeited, except under the following conditions:

 

1.      If a new employee’s probationary period ends after April 1 of any fiscal year, the employee may carry over vacation hours accrued during probation into the following fiscal year; however, these hours must be used prior to July 1 of the next fiscal year or be forfeited.

 

2.       If an employee has prescheduled vacation during May or June of any fiscal year and the vacation is cancelled at management’s request, those vacation hours will be carried over into the next fiscal year, however, the carryover hours must be used prior to July 1 of the next fiscal year or be forfeited. 

 

Responsibility rests with each employee to track his/her leave accruals and usage.

 

 

If employees terminate employment with CSC prior to June 30, and have used more vacation than the amount of hours they would have earned during that fiscal year as of the date of termination (as outlined in Section 1, Accrual.), they shall reimburse CSC for vacation used  in excess of their monthly accrual rate.  The amount to be reimbursed will be deducted from their final paycheck.  If the reimbursement exceeds the amount of final pay, the employee will pay CSC the amount not covered by the final paycheck.

 

Upon termination or layoff, employees will be paid for any unused vacation accrued as of the date of termination.

 

Section 4.  Termination or Death. 

Upon termination or death of an employee, all accumulated vacation leave shall be paid to the employee, to their designated beneficiary (as designated on the employee's CSC life insurance policy), or to the employee's estate, whichever is applicable.

 

Section 5. Continued Vacation Credit. 

An employee shall continue to earn vacation credit for a maximum period of six (6) months during an absence caused by an on-the-job-injury.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII. SICK LEAVE

 

Section 1. Accrual. 

All full-time employees shall accrue sick leave at the rate of eight (8) hours per month to be used in the event of illness of employees or members of their immediate families or households.  Immediate family is defined as spouse, parent or minor child.  In relationships other than those set forth above, and under exceptional circumstances, such leave of absence may be granted by the Executive Director.  All part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week shall accrue sick leave on a pro-rated basis according to established FTE.  Sick leave may accumulate to a maximum of 960 hours.  No employee may utilize sick leave before actually accruing such leave; however, it is earned and may be used as it is earned during the probationary period.  CSC may, at its discretion, require substantiation of sick leave of more than two consecutive days, or where an established pattern of sick leave usage indicates potential abuse, by requiring a physician's statement before paying sick leave.

 

Section 2. On-The-Job Accident. 

An employee who suffers a compensable injury or illness, shall have the option of coordinating accrued sick leave up to the rate of one-third (1/3) day per working day in addition to workers' compensation payments, for a total compensation equal to the employee's regular pay, for the equivalent of the employee's accrued sick leave.  An employee shall continue to earn sick leave credit for a maximum leave period of one (1) year when the absence is the result of an on-the-job injury or illness.

 

Section 3. Scope. 

Sick leave may be taken for a recognized illness, injury or mental health condition if an employee is unable to perform normal work duties; or, when necessary to seek medical, psychological or dental care; or it is necessary for an employee be quarantined; or when the presence of an employee would create an unreasonable medical risk of the transfer of a communicable disease.  If necessary, sick leave may be used in the case of an illness to support a member of an employee's immediate family.  Additionally, sick leave may be taken for routine medical or dental check-ups without claiming illness or injury.  As used in this Section, this term "medical" includes all duly licensed services provided as part of the healing arts by persons who are licensed in the state of Oregon.  Employees using sick leave for any reason must give reasonable notice to their supervisor.

 

Under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave is provided to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons.  Please see Department of Labor postings and talk to Personnel for additional information.

 

OFLA/FMLA leave overlaps the first 12 weeks of leave provided by CSC under the AFSCME Labor Agreement and/or CSC Personnel Policies.  CSC uses the calendar year method of calculating the 12 weeks, and all paid leave accruals must be used prior to unpaid leave.

 

Section 4. Retirement, Disability or Death. 

Upon retirement, all employees eligible for retirement benefits under the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) shall receive payment for one-half (½) of their accumulated sick leave, and the other one-half (½) shall be used to calculate the final average salary for retirement benefits under PERS in accordance with the provisions of ORS 237.153.  In case of an employee's death or permanent disability, the employee or the designated beneficiary shall receive full payment for all accrued sick leave.

 

Section 5. Sick Leave Reinstatement. 

Sick leave accrual shall be reinstated for employees who are re-employed within ninety (90) days following separation from CSC and who forfeited unused sick leave at the time of separation. 

 

Section 6.  Unused Sick Leave Conversion. 

Upon completion of each fiscal year, each employee may convert unused sick hours into vacation leave at the rate of two (2) hours of sick leave for one (1) hour of vacation.  Provided:

A.         Each employee must maintain a bank of sick leave of at least 48 hours, to be used for sick leave.

B.         Only sick leave earned in the immediate prior fiscal year, less sick leave used in the immediate prior fiscal year, may be converted.

C.        Sick leave may not be used if such use would cause a negative balance.

D.        All conversions must be accomplished between July 1 through July 31 of each fiscal year, or at termination.

E.         CSC shall provide a sick leave conversion form.

 

 

ARTICLE XIV. SENIORITY

 

Section 1. Definition. 

Seniority shall be determined by the total hours of regular employment with CSC.  Ties shall be broken first by adding any hours employees worked as temporaries.  Any ties which remain shall be broken by lot.

 

Section 2. Acquisition of Seniority. 

An employee shall acquire seniority at the end of the probationary period.  The employee's seniority shall date back to date of hire as a bargaining unit employee.  When employees acquire seniority, their names shall be placed on the seniority list indicating hours of service within CSC.

 

Section 3. Seniority List Posting. 

Each CSC site shall post a current seniority list in accordance with the requirements of Section 2 of this Article.  This list shall be updated at least quarterly by the Finance Department and provided to a designated union officer to post at each site.  In case of dispute, official records shall be those maintained by the personnel officer.

 

Section 4.  Layoff. 

In the event layoffs are necessary, all non regular employees shall be considered first for termination before layoff of any regular employee.  Concurrent with layoff notification, CSC will ask for volunteers for layoff.  Unless appropriate volunteers come forward, layoff will proceed as described below.

 

CSC shall provide notice of layoff to all affected employees a minimum of twenty (20) working days prior to the layoff. Employees who receive notice of layoff shall have ten (10) working days from the receipt of the notice to select from the following options:

A.         A bump of the least-senior person in the geographical area where the employee is based at the time of layoff.  The two geographical areas are Lincoln County and Linn and Benton counties.  Within their geographical area, employees may bump by choosing from the following two choices:

1.         The bumping employees' same job title;

2.         The most recent job title the bumping employees' previously have held in CSC, as a regular employee, within the last five years.

Prior to selecting option 2, the employee, CSC and the Union shall discuss the requirements of the bumped to position.  The employee shall have the final decision on which option they select; however, if the employees cannot adequately perform the duties of the bumped-to position within ten (10) working days, they shall be placed on layoff.

3.        In layoffs, employees on written corrective action plans shall lose protection of seniority for the duration of the corrective action plan.  Seniority is reestablished upon successful completion of the corrective action plan.

B.         The employee shall accept a layoff.

 

Section 5. Recall. 

Regular employees who are laid off shall be placed on a recall list for a maximum period of twenty-four (24) months.  If there is a recall, employees shall be recalled in the inverse order of their layoff, provided they are qualified at the time of recall to perform the work in the job classification to which they are recalled without further training.  If vacancies remain after recall by geographic area, then the position shall be offered to those on the recall list from CSC's other geographic area.   Less-senior employees may be recalled if they are superior in qualifications, occupational skills, and abilities required for the position.  Recalled employees shall be notified by first class mail, and shall be given ten (10) working days from the date of the mailing of the notice in which to report for work.  It shall be the total responsibility of laid-off employees to maintain their current addresses with the CSC personnel officer, and employees must renew their standing on the recall list at least every six (6) months.  If employees decline a recall notice from within their geographic area, they shall be forthwith removed from the recall list.  An orientation period of ten (10) working days shall not be considered "training" under Section 5 of this Article.

 

Section 6. Filling of Vacancies. 

Whenever CSC seeks to fill a vacancy within the bargaining unit, CSC shall, at least five (5) working days before filling the vacancy, post notice with the job description, qualifications and requirements of the vacancy on CSC bulletin boards and provide notice to the Union.  All CSC employees and all employees on active layoff status shall have the right to apply for a vacant position.  If more than one qualified employee applies for the position, CSC shall provide preference to the employee with the greatest seniority, provided that all other objective merit factors are equal as determined by the program director.

 

Section 7. Continuous Service. 

An employee's continuous record shall be considered broken by voluntary resignation, discharge for cause, retirement, or layoff in excess of 24 months.  Seniority shall not accrue during any period of layoff.

 

 

ARTICLE XV. CLASSIFICATION

 

Section 1. Reclassification Request. 

A reclassification during the term of this agreement may be initiated by any employee or group of employees who believe that their current classification specification no longer adequately defines their duties.

 

The process for requesting a reclassification shall be:

 

1.   The requesting employee completes a Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) and submits it to his/her immediate supervisor for review and signature.  The employee then submits the PAQ to the Human Resources Manager (HRM).  If the supervisor does not feel that the employee has accurately stated the duties currently performed, the supervisor will discuss changes in the PAQ with the employee.  If the employee and the supervisor cannot agree on the wording of the PAQ, the employee may submit his/her copy of the PAQ directly to the HRM.  The HRM will meet with the employee, supervisor, department director and possibly the Executive Director to discuss the duties of the position and reach mutual agreement on the job duties. 

 

2.   The Classification Committee will meet as soon as is feasible (but no later than 30 days after the request) to evaluate the PAQ and send its evaluation to the Local Government Personnel Institute (LGPI) or other consulting firm independent of the employer for review and results.  The consultant submits a letter to the HRM stating the results of the analysis.  The HRM then notifies the supervisor of the results, and the supervisor notifies the requesting employee. 

 

3.   If the position is reclassified to a higher range, the HRM requests that the Finance Dept. Payroll Accounting Technician update the salary chart, listing the job title in the new range.  If the position is reclassified to a lower range, the employee's salary is frozen at the existing level until such time as it comes into line with the new classification range.

 

4.   The employee’s step in the higher range is the step that provides the employee with approximately a 5% wage increase, but in no case shall the employee move into a new range at lower than Step 2.  The effective date on the Personnel Action form is the first day of the next payroll period after the date of the reclass request.  For example, a PAQ signed and dated by the requesting employee on April 10 would have an effective date for a wage increase of April 16.

 

5.      A reclassification does not change the employee’s anniversary date.

 

If it is determined that the current classification specification adequately defines the duties performed by the employee(s) requesting the reclassification, and the issue is the wage rate paid for the job, the employee(s) may bring a proposal for a selective salary adjustment to the HRM.  If comparative wage information is not readily available, the HRM will request a comparative wage analysis from LGPI or another consulting firm independent of the employer.   The HRM, program director, and executive director will give considerable weight to the comparative analysis in making a decision on selective salary adjustments. 

 

Section 2.  Classification Request 

If CSC establishes a new job title and position the new job description and PAQ  will be submitted to the Classification Committee for evaluation.  The evaluation is sent to LGPI or other consulting firm independent of the employer for review and results.  When results are received by the HRM, the supervisor of the new position is notified and the new position is added to the salary schedule in the range determined by LGPI or other consultant.

 

Section 3. Working Out of Classification.

A.         An employee assigned the major duties and responsibilities of a higher rated position shall receive compensation at step 1 of the higher classification or a one-step increase in his regular classification, whichever is greater, provided the assignment is designated and approved by CSC and provided the assignment is expected to extend for ten (10) continuous working days or more.

B.         This Section shall not apply to any employee working in a job-related training program by mutual agreement between CSC and the employee.

C.        CSC shall designate acting in capacity in writing when such duties are approved.

 

Section 4. Classification Not Guaranteed. 

The classifications or job titles used in CSC's compensation plan are for descriptive purposes only.  Their use is neither an indication of nor a guarantee that these classifications or titles will continue to be used by CSC.

 

 

ARTICLE XVI.  WAGES AND SALARIES

 

Section 1.  Wages. 

The salary schedule (Attachment A) for positions in the bargaining unit shall be increased   three percent (3%) across the board on July 1, 2004 and another three percent (3%) on July 1, 2005.

 

Section 2.  Wages in the Third through Fifth Year of This Agreement.  

Wages in the third through fifth year shall be determined by the methodology in Attachment B, Total Employee Cost (TEC).

 

The base year shall be the amount of total employee costs of fiscal year 2005-2006.  Each subsequent year’s base shall be the total employee costs of the previous year.

 

Section 3.  Social Security

In fiscal year 2005, CSC shall ask that the Social Security Administration conduct an election by the employees of CSC to determine if the agency shall participate in Social Security.  This election shall be timed so that participation, if approved, shall commence at the start of fiscal year 2006-2007.

 

If participation is approved, CSC shall pay the employer’s share of Social Security and cease paying the employee’s share of PERS.  The employee’s shares of both Social Security and PERS shall be deducted from the employee’s pay through payroll deduction.

 

If participation in Social Security is not approved, CSC shall continue to pay the employee’s share of PERS costs through the life of this agreement.

 

Section 4. Salaries and Wages Re-Opener. 

In year two, the union may reopen economics only if PERS costs increase by more than three percent (3%). Year 2 PERS increases of three percent (3%) or less, if any, will be absorbed by the employee.

 

In the third through fifth years of this agreement, the union may reopen for economic issues if the total TEC increase exceeds ten percent (10%). 

 

Section 5. Step Increases. 

Upon completion of the probationary period, employees shall receive a step increase from the initial hire step to the next step in their positions' pay range.  Twelve months of work thereafter, upon receiving a satisfactory performance evaluation, employees shall advance an additional step in their positions' pay range.  Step increases shall be granted after every 12 months worked thereafter, provided that employees receive a satisfactory  performance evaluation, until they reach the top step of their positions' pay range.  For purposes of step increases, the anniversary date of employment for each employee shall be adjusted to the date probation is completed.

 

A one-step pay differential may be paid to employees who are bilingual and whose job duties require the use of language other than English at least 25% of the time.

 

Section 6. Pay Periods. 

Pay day for all members of the bargaining unit shall be on the fifteenth (15th) day and on the last working day of each month.  If any pay day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the preceding working day shall be designated as pay day.

 

 

ARTICLE XVII. HEALTH AND WELFARE

 

Section 1.  Medical and Dental Insurance Premiums During the Term of This Agreement. 

CSC agrees to make available medical and dental insurance for employees and their families through the term of this agreement.  It is agreed that medical and dental insurance premiums during the first year of this contract shall be shared with CSC paying eighty-eight percent (88%) of the premiums and bargaining unit members paying twelve percent (12%) of the premiums for   the Regence Blue Preferred plan and ODS dental.  Premiums of part-time employees shall be pro-rated in accordance with Section 6 of this Article.

 

In year two, CSC shall pay the amount budgeted for year one, plus 50% of any increases in premiums.  The remainder of increased premiums shall be paid by the employee.  If health and dental total premium increases exceed 20%, the employee shall pay the excess over 20%.  In the event there is a decrease in premiums, the 88% CSC and 12% employee premium split will remain in effect. 

 

CSC agrees to refund to bargaining unit employees any rebate received as a result of CSC's participation in such programs offered by health provider companies for favorable experience.  The refund is to be proportional to each employee's paid share of premiums for such coverage.  Only employees participating in the specific provider coverage for which such rebates apply shall be eligible for said refunds.

 

Section 2. Life Insurance. 

CSC agrees to provide term life insurance coverage for all regular employees who are members of the bargaining unit in an amount equivalent to one year's salary with double indemnity for accidental death or dismemberment.  CSC also agrees to provide “Dependent Life Insurance” at a value of $2,000 for each dependent of an employee.

 

Section 3. Disability Insurance. 

CSC agrees to provide disability insurance coverage to all regular employees who are members of the bargaining unit.  CSC shall provide  long-term disability insurance coverage that pays sixty  percent (60%) of salary and includes a ninety (90) day elimination period and sick leave integration.  CSC shall provide short-term disability insurance coverage, including self-insurance, that pays sixty  percent (60%) of salary and includes a thirty (30) day elimination period and sick leave integration.   Regarding short-term disability coverage, CSC reserves the right to determine administratively whether to self-insure or carry an insurance policy.   Eligibility for  disability payments is subject to rules established by vendors and approved by the CSC Governing Board.  By way of illustration, such rules might include coordination of all income sources when calculating the maximum monthly benefit.

 

Section 4. Dependent Medical Insurance Continuation. 

CSC paid medical/dental insurance coverage shall continue, for a period not to exceed six (6) months, for dependents of regular CSC employees who die during the term of employment, provided that said dependents are not eligible for coverage by alternate medical/dental insurance.  The intent of this Section is to provide continuing insurance coverage in full compliance with the provisions of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA).

 

Section 5. Deferred Compensation Plan. 

A)            CSC shall make available to bargaining unit members an approved deferred compensation plan(s).  Eligibility for membership and regulations governing participating shall follow all IRS regulations and all appropriate state and federal statutes.

 

B)     The Oregon Savings Growth Plan shall be offered beginning July 1, 2004 or as soon

thereafter as possible.  For employees at .5 FTE and above, CSC shall match the first $50 contributed each month by the employee.  Said match shall be included in the TEC calculations after year 2.

 

Section 6. Health and Welfare Pro-Ration. 

CSC's share of health and welfare costs shall be pro-rated based on approved FTE status for dependents of part-time employees.  CSC shall pay the same share of part-time employees' coverage as is paid for full-time single employees.    Part-time employees may choose to opt out of dependent coverage.

 

Section 7.  Health Benefits  Committee

The Health Benefits Committee will review CSC’s experience rating quarterly and report significant trends to management and the union. Prior to renewal each year, the HBC will solicit quotes and recommend plans.  Plans within this agreement shall be selected by the union.  Costs, after year 2, shall be within the TEC.

 

 

 

Section 8.  Employee Assistance Program.

CSC agrees to provide employees and each eligible dependent with up to 4 free visits per issue per family member with a qualified Employee Assistance Program.

 

Section 9.  Flexible Spending Account

On July 1, 2004, or as soon thereafter as possible, CSC shall offer a 125k Flexible Spending Account for insurance premiums, health care, and child care expenses.

 

 

ARTICLE XVIII.  PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM (PERS)

 

Section 1. Contributions. 

During the life of this agreement, CSC shall continue to participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and shall "pick up" all employee contribution to PERS for members of the bargaining unit except as modified in Article XVI, Section 3, Social Security.

 

The full amount of required employee contributions "picked up” or paid by CSC on behalf of members of the bargaining unit shall be considered "salary" within the meaning of ORS 237.003(8) for the purposes of computing bargaining unit members' "final average salary" pursuant to ORS 237.003(12), but shall not be considered "salary" for the purposes of determining the amount of employee contributions required to be contributed pursuant to ORS 237.071.  Such "picked up" or paid bargaining unit members' contributions shall be credited to bargaining unit members' PERS account pursuant to ORS 237.071(2) and shall be considered to be employee contributions for the purposes of ORS 237.001 to 237.320.

 

ARTICLE XIX. EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE

 

Section 1. Corrective Discipline.

CSC agrees with the tenets of progressive and corrective discipline, when appropriate.  CSC shall neither discipline nor discharge any post-probationary employee without just cause.  For purposes of this Section, just cause means:

 

"...a cause reasonably related to the employee's ability to perform required work.  The term includes any willful violation of reasonable work rules, regulations or written policies..." (ORS 236.350(3))

 

Section 2. Removal of Discipline. 

Any written warning in a bargaining unit member's personnel file may be removed after three years upon application by the employee, providing there has been no recurrence of the type or kind of conduct giving rise to the warning.

 

Section 3. Administration of Discipline. 

Discipline shall be administered in such a manner that it will not embarrass disciplined employees before other CSC employees or the public.

 

Section 4. Presence of Shop Steward. 

CSC acknowledges the right of a bargaining unit member to have a Union steward present during any disciplinary process.  If the purpose of an interview relates to the disciplinary process, the employee shall be so advised and may request a delay to allow notification of a Union steward.

 

 

 

Section 5. Notice to Union. 

When a written warning is issued to a member of the bargaining unit, a copy shall be forwarded by the personnel officer to the Union within three (3) working days of receipt of the action by the personnel officer, unless the employee specifically objects.

 

ARTICLE XX. SAFETY

 

Section 1. Safety Rules. 

CSC and all CSC employees shall comply with all safety rules and regulations established by law.  Employees should report any unsafe act or condition to the management during normal working hours.  No employee shall be expected to operate any equipment or to perform a work assignment that would cause imminent danger and that generally would be considered to be unsafe by a reasonably prudent person.

 

Section 2. Labor/ Management Committees 

To facilitate communication between the parties, joint labor/management committees may be established by mutual agreement of the Union and the Executive Director.  The committee shall take steps to discuss employee wellness.

 

The committee shall be composed of three (3) employee members appointed by the Union and three (3) members of management.

 

Committees shall meet when necessary, but not less than once each calendar quarter.  The position of committee chair should be rotated among committee membership.  Agency employees appointed to the wellness committees shall be in pay status during time spent in committee meetings.

 

Representatives of management and the Union may render assistance to a committee in procedural and substantive issues as necessary to fulfill the objectives of this Article and may participate in such meetings.

 

The committees shall be on a meet-and-confer basis only and shall not be construed as having the authority nor entitlement to negotiate.  The committees shall have no power to contravene any provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, nor to enter into any agreements binding on the parties to this agreement, nor to resolve issues or disputes surrounding the implementation of the contract.  Matters which may require a Letter of Agreement shall not be implemented until a Letter of Agreement has been signed by management and the AFSCME authorized representative.

 

No discussion or review of any matter by the committees shall forfeit or affect the time frames related to the grievance procedure.  Matters that should be resolved through the grievance and arbitration procedure shall be handled pursuant to that procedure.

 

 

ARTICLE XXI. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 1. Job Sharing. 

Job sharing, which is the sharing of an authorized full-time position by two or more employees, may be allowed at the discretion of CSC.  All employees shall agree in writing to the conditions of the sharing as determined by CSC.  The position may at any time revert to its previous status at the discretion of CSC if one of the persons sharing the position is no longer employed in the position.  A job-share is deemed official only when approved in writing by the personnel officer.  No job share shall be approved if there is increased direct or indirect cost to CSC.

 

Section 2. Transfer Notice. 

If an employee is involuntarily transferred to reporting station which is in excess of twenty (20) miles one way, forty (40) miles round trip, from the employee's regular work location, CSC shall provide notice of such transfer at least ten (10) working days prior to the effective date of transfer.  Should CSC fail to give the required notice, the employee shall be paid approved mileage compensation for the increased distance for ten (10) days minus the amount of notice provided.

 

Section 3. Mileage Pay. 

Any employee required to use a personal vehicle in the performance of assigned duties as an employee of CSC shall be paid mileage at CSC’s current rate.  Future adjustments shall apply when approved by the CSC Governing Board and shall not be less than 85% of the current Federal rate.  All personal mileage shall be authorized in advance by CSC. 

 

Section 4. Bargaining Unit Work. 

Non-represented employees shall not on a regular basis perform work that is regularly performed by members of the bargaining unit, if such work would result in the layoff of members of the bargaining unit.

 

Section 5. Contract Work. 

During the term of this agreement, CSC shall not contract or sub-contract any public work now performed by members of the bargaining unit which would result in their loss of employment, provided that such public work is being accomplished in the most efficient and cost effective manner available to CSC.

 

Section 6. Negotiations. 

CSC agrees to pay for at least four (4) bargaining unit members, or a number equal to one less than the number of members on CSC’s management negotiating team, their regular pay for periods of contract negotiating (including planning sessions no longer than 2 hours in length) which occur during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The number of planning sessions shall not exceed the number of contract negotiation sessions.

 

There shall be no more than 40 hours of bargaining sessions unless mutually agreed.

 

The Union has the right to elect its own negotiating team members from any department or location within CSC’s service area.  No regular pay or overtime pay shall apply to periods of negotiations occurring outside of the business day (or outside of the employee’s normal workday). 

 

Section 7. Regular Employee. 

A regular employee is defined as an employee who occupies a position with an established F.T.E. of .50 or greater and has completed probation.

 

 

ARTICLE XXII. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

 

Section 1. Grievance Definition. 

A grievance is an issue(s) raised by a member of the bargaining unit or the Union against CSC and shall be strictly limited to issues concerning the interpretation or application of the specific provisions of this agreement.

 

 

 

Section 2. Time Limitation Procedures. 

All time limits in the grievance procedure may be waived through the mutual consent of the parties.  Failure of the aggrieved party to submit or prosecute a grievance in accordance with these time limits shall constitute abandonment of the grievance. Failure of CSC to respond to a grievance within the time limits herein shall result in the Union having the absolute right to elevate the grievance within ten (10) working days to the next higher step in the grievance procedure.  A grievance may be terminated at any time, and at any step, upon receipt of a signed statement from the aggrieved employee or Union that the matter has been resolved.

 

Section 3. Informal Discussion Permitted. 

Nothing in this Article is intended to preclude or prohibit informal discussion of a potential grievance between an employee and the employee's immediate supervisor, provided that the time limits set forth herein are strictly adhered to.  No supervisor may agree to a remedy that is contrary to this agreement.

 

Section 4. Confidentiality. 

All proceedings and evidence of any kind whatsoever that are related to grievances shall be considered exempt from public disclosure until the conclusion of the final grievance proceeding.

 

Section 5. Exclusive Remedy. 

Grievances shall be commenced and processed according to provisions herein, which provisions the  parties mutually acknowledge to be the exclusive and binding process for the resolution of disputes constituting grievances as herein defined.

 

Section 6. Grievance Procedure.

The Union and CSC accept the problem-solving, interest-based approach in the resolution of grievances;

*           The Union and CSC have a mutual commitment to using a problem-solving, interest-based approach in the resolution of grievances;

*           Resolution of a grievance at the lowest possible level is always encouraged;

*           Complete disclosure of information shall be made at the lowest possible level;

*           There shall be flexibility in the problem-solving process for resolution of a grievance at step 1.

 

A.  Grievances at step 1.

 

1.         An employee, with or without Union representation, shall have five (5) working days from the date of occurrence of the circumstance(s) giving rise to a potential grievance, or from the date of the employee's first knowledge of the occurrence, to informally discuss the problem or issue with his or her supervisor, to define the issue, and to resolve the issue if possible.

 

2.         An employee or the Union shall have fifteen (15) working days from the date of occurrence of the circumstance(s) giving rise to a potential grievance, or from the date of employee's first knowledge of the occurrence, within which to file a written statement of the issues with the employee's immediate supervisor outside of the bargaining unit.

 

3.         The supervisor shall respond in writing to the person filing the written statement of the issues within ten (10) working days following receipt of the written statement of the issues. This written response shall either deny the grievance or acknowledge what step(s) shall be taken to remedy the grievance.

 

4.         If the employee is satisfied with the supervisor's written response, the grievance shall be deemed resolved without further action.  If the employee is not satisfied with the supervisor's written response, the aggrieved employee and/or the Union may elevate the grievance to step 2.

 

5.         Steps 1 and 2 may be combined by mutual consent of both the employee and the Union and both the employee's supervisor and department director.

 

6.         Demotions, reductions in pay, suspensions without pay, and dismissals shall be immediately elevated to step 2.

 

B.  Grievances at step 2.

 

1.         A grievance at step 2 shall be initiated by filing of a written grievance, the written statement of the issues, and the response at step 1, with the employee's department director within ten (10) working days following the employee's or the Union's receipt of the response to the written statement of issues.  A grievance involving demotions, reductions in pay, suspensions without pay, and dismissals shall not be heard at step 1 but shall be immediately elevated to step 2, and shall be filed within ten (10) working days following receipt of the discipline.

 

2.         The Union and/or the aggrieved employee shall file the grievance at step 2.

 

3.         All written grievances shall include the following information.  Grievances filed which are deficient in one or more of the items noted in "a" through "f" below shall be returned to the person who filed the grievance for conformance with these requirements, and the time period to file the grievance shall be extended by five (5) additional working days, beginning on the date the grievance is returned.

 

a.         The name and position of the employee on whose behalf the grievance is brought.

 

b.         The date of the circumstances giving rise to the grievance, and the date the employee had first knowledge thereof.

 

c.         A clear and concise statement of the grievance, including the relevant facts which give a full and objective understanding of the employee's grievance.

 

d.         The specific Article, Section or provision of this agreement alleged to have been violated.  Ambiguous statements such as "any Article or Section which may apply" shall not be considered in compliance with this Section.

 

e.         The remedy or relief sought by the employee.

 

f.          The signature of the person submitting the grievance and the date of its submission.

 

4.         The department director shall respond in writing to the person filing the grievance within ten (10) working days following receipt of the required grievance documents, and the department director shall meet, if requested, with the aggrieved employee, Union representative, and supervisor to clarify issues and facts presented in the grievance.

 

5.         If the aggrieved employee is not satisfied with the department director's response, the aggrieved employee and/or the Union may elevate the grievance to step 3.

 

C.  Grievances at step 3

 

1.         Within ten (10) working days following the written response at step 2, the aggrieved employee and/or the Union shall file with the executive director (or his/her designee) all of the grievance materials that are required to be filed with the department director at step 2, together with the department director's written response, or a statement that the department director failed to respond within the time limit established herein.

2.         Upon the filing of the grievance at step 3, the executive director (or designee) shall, within fifteen days of receipt of the grievance either:

 

a.         Request the assistance of a mediator skilled in interest-based conflict resolution from the state Employment Relations Board to serve as facilitator or another skilled facilitator in an attempt to resolve the issue.  The Union, the grievant and witnesses shall be required to participate in this process in good faith at times mutually agreed to by the Union, the executive director (or designee) and the facilitator; or conduct whatever investigation the executive director (or designee) deems necessary to satisfy her/him of the facts surrounding the grievance.  Those facts which the executive director (or designee) finds to be determinative of the grievance as well as his or her conclusion as to the merits of the grievance shall be forwarded to the aggrieved employee and the Union.

 

3.         In the event the interest-based conflict resolution process of subsection (a) above fails, the executive director (or designee) shall have ten (10) working days from the date of the interest-based process to forward the facts and conclusions to the Union.  If the grievance is elevated to step 4, the parties shall be strictly limited to all facts and the issues raised at the first three steps. 

 

D.  Grievances at step 4.

 

1.         Grievances unresolved at step 3 shall be elevated to step 4 as follows:

 

a.         Within ten (10) working days following the delivery of the executive director's (or designee) written findings of fact and conclusion as to the merits of the grievance to the aggrieved employee and/or Union, CSC and the Union may mutually agree upon a private arbitrator.

 

b.         If CSC and the Union do not agree on a private arbitrator within the time limits herein, CSC shall within ten (10) working days, request a list of potential arbitrators from the Oregon State Conciliator.  Within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the list of potential arbitrator's from the Oregon State Conciliator by CSC, final selection shall be accomplished by CSC and the Union alternately crossing off one of the five (5) named arbitrators until only one remains.  The party who strikes the first name shall be selected by lot.  At any stage of the selection process, either party may reject the entire list once and request an alternate list from the State Conciliator.  The arbitrator shall be notified of her/his selection to arbitrate the disputed issue(s), and copies of all grievance documents

 

shall be mailed to the selected arbitrator by the executive director (or designee).

c.         Alternately, the Union may file with the executive director (or designee) a notice of intent to arbitrate, which shall extend the time for formal arbitration for up to thirty (30) calendar days from the date of filing the notice of  intent.

 

2.         The decision of the of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties; however, the arbitrator shall not have the authority to alter, modify, amend, vacate or change any of the terms or conditions of this agreement.  This provision is not intended to prevent either party from any administrative or statutory relief they otherwise may have to appeal an arbitrator's award.  The decision of the arbitrator shall be issued within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the arbitration hearing.

 

3.         Prior to the arbitration hearing, if either party discovers new information or evidence not previously considered at step 3 of this procedure, the parties may mutually agree to reconvene at step 3 to consider the new information or evidence, and to include the information or evidence in the step 3 official grievance record.  If the parties agree to reconvene, their meeting may not delay an already scheduled arbitration hearing unless there is a mutual written waiver, and unless there is mutual written agreement as to the liability for payment of the arbitrator's cancellation fee.

 

4.         Nothing in this Article is intended to prevent a mutually acceptable settlement prior to or during the arbitration procedure.

 

5.         If arbitration is utilized, all arbitration costs incurred shall be borne entirely by the losing party.

 

 

Section 7. Absence From Work Station. 

Union stewards representing employees or the Union at meetings or hearings provided for in this Article shall be permitted, after reasonable notice to their program manager, to leave their assigned work areas without loss of pay during their attendance at such meeting or hearings.  To help minimize impacts on programs, not more than one steward shall represent a grievant when practical.  In any event, representational stewards shall be held to the minimum number required to represent the bargaining unit member.

 

 

ARTICLE XXIII. SAVINGS CLAUSE

 

Should any Article, Section, or portion of this agreement be held unlawful or unenforceable by an opinion of the attorney general of the state of Oregon, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by any administrative agency of the state of Oregon having jurisdiction over the specific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subject matter, such decision shall apply only to the specific Article, Section or portion thereof directly specified in the decision.  Upon the issuance of any such decision, the parties agree to meet within ten (10) working days to negotiate substitute provision(s), for the invalidated Article, Section or portion thereof.  All other Articles and Sections of this agreement, and the agreement as a whole, shall continue without interruption, except those remaining provisions which are so essential and inseparably connected with and dependent upon the unlawful or unenforceable part that it is apparent that they would not have been agreed to standing alone, and are rendered incomplete and incapable of being executed in accordance with the intent of this agreement.  In such an instance, all such Articles and Sections are subject to re-negotiations pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

 

ARTICLE XXIV. TERM OF AGREEMENT

 

This agreement covers the period of July 1, 2004, through June 30, ____.  This agreement shall be effective as of the date of execution, but in no event before July 1, 2004, and shall remain in full force until June 30, ____, subject to re-opener provisions in, Article XVI.  In the event that notice is given under one of the cited provisions, negotiations shall begin not later than ten (10) calendar days following notification.  This agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties.  All such amended language must be in writing and signed by the parties.

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CSC and the Union have caused these presents to be executed in their respective names by their duly authorized representatives on this _______ day of _________________, 2004.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICES CONSORTIUM             AFSCME, COUNCIL NO. 75

                                                                                    AFL-CIO, AND LOCAL NO. 3563

 

____________________________                            ___________________________

Chair, CSC Governing Board                                     Representative, Council 75

Commissioner Don Lindly                                          Tim Pfau

 

____________________________                            ___________________________

CSC Governing Board                                                Local Union President

Commissioner Terry Thompson                                Joann Zimmer

____________________________                            ___________________________

CSC Governing Board                                                Negotiating Committee

Commissioner Jean Cowan                                       Dina Eldridge

 

____________________________                            ___________________________

CSC Governing Board                                                Negotiating Committee

Commissioner Cliff Wooten                                       Carol Obleski

 

____________________________                            ___________________________

CSC Governing Board                                                Negotiating Committee

Commissioner John Lindsey                                      Phyllis Hampton

 

____________________________                           

CSC Governing Board                                               

Commissioner Roger Nyquist

 

 

____________________________                           

CSC Governing Board                                               

Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo

 

 

____________________________

CSC Governing Board

Commissioner Jay Dixon

 

 

____________________________

CSC Governing Board

Commissioner Linda Modrell

 

 

____________________________                           

CSC Chief Negotiator                                                

Debra Blythe

 

 

____________________________                           

CSC Negotiating Committee                                     

Tom Hatley

 

 

____________________________

CSC Negotiating Committee

Mark Bemetz

 

 

____________________________

CSC Negotiating Committee

Mike Gibson

 

____________________________

CSC Negotiating Committee

Caprice Plaep