34.01 Definitions

For purposes of this Agreement, seniority shall be defined as follows:

A. Bargaining Unit Seniority: The length of continuous service in a position or succession of positions within Bargaining Unit Two (2), beginning with the last date of hire or transfer into the Bargaining Unit, as defined by seniority credits.

B. Classification Seniority: The length of continuous service in a single classification, beginning with the last date of hire or transfer into the classification, as defined by seniority credits.

C. Seniority credit: The total number of pay periods during which an employee holds or has a right to return to a bargaining unit position.

D. Service credit: Service credit shall be computed in years and days as is the past practice and shall be credited for all periods for which “seniority credits” are applicable.

34.02 Termination of Continuous Service

A. Continuous service shall terminate when the employee:

1. Quits, resigns, or is otherwise separated from employment;

2. Retires;

3. Is discharged;

4. Fails to timely return without permission from:

a. Leave of absence;

b. Recall after layoff;

c. Sick leave;

d. Disability leave, separation, or retirement; or

e. Occupational injury leave;

f. Workers’ compensation.

B. Continuous service for the purpose of calculating classification seniority and bargaining unit seniority shall also terminate when a member is promoted out of the bargaining unit after the effective date of this Agreement and has successfully completed his/her probationary period.

C. Continuous service will not be interrupted if the employee was on an approved leave of absence.

34.03 Seniority Credit Calculation

Each full-time employee shall be credited with one (1) seniority credit for each pay period of continuous service in a classification covered by this agreement. Part-time employees shall be credited with .0125 seniority credits for each non-premium hour of compensation in each pay period not to exceed one (1) seniority credit in a pay period, beginning with the last date of hire in a classification covered by this agreement.

34.04 Seniority Lists

The Employer shall prepare and maintain seniority lists of all employees and shall furnish said lists semi-annually to the Labor Council. Such lists shall include the name, current classification, Bargaining Unit Seniority, Classification Seniority, last date of hire, and the employee ID number for each bargaining unit employee and location of employees. Seniority lists shall not display any employee's social security number. Where available, these lists may be provided in an electronic format.

34.05 Identical Hire Dates

When two (2) or more employees have the same Bargaining Unit and/or Classification Seniority credits within an agency, seniority shall be determined by last date of hire in a classification covered by this agreement. Should a tie still exist, seniority shall be based on the last four (4) digits of the employee's Social Security numbers. The lowest number shall be considered the most senior. (E.g. 0000 is more senior than 9999.)