SIGNATURE COPY

                                                                                                                                                July 11, 2006

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

 

Between

 

INGHAM COUNTY

 

 and

 

INGHAM COUNTY EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION

 

for their

 

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES

 

 

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

 

 

January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2008

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

AGREEMENT                                                                                                                                            1

 

PREAMBLE                                                                                                                                               2

 

ARTICLE 1 - RECOGNITION                                                                                                                  3

            Section 1 - Unit Recognition                                                                                                             3

            Section 2 - Exclusions                                                                                                                      3

            Section 3 - Other Agreements                                                                                                          3

 

ARTICLE 2 - NONDISCRIMINATION                                                                                                   4

            Section 1 - Employer's Pledge                                                                                                          4

            Section 2 - Association's Pledge                                                                                                       4

            Section 3 - Gender                                                                                                                           4

            Section 4                                                                                                                                         4

 

ARTICLE 3 - EMPLOYER RIGHTS                                                                                                          5

            Section 1 - Right to Manage                                                                                                             5

            Section 2 - Retention of Rights                                                                                                         5

            Section 3 - Constitutional/Statutory Rights                                                                                        5

            Section 4 - Rules and Regulations                                                                                                     5

            Section 5 - Notice of Requirement                                                                                                    5

 

ARTICLE 4 - EMPLOYER SECURITY                                                                                                     6

            Section 1                                                                                                                                         6

 

ARTICLE 5 - DEFINITION OF EMPLOYEES                                                                                         7

            Section 1 - Definitions                                                                                                                      7

            Section 2 - Contracted Benefits                                                                                                      11

 

ARTICLE 6 - CLASSIFICATION PLAN                                                                                                12

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       12

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       12

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       12

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       13

            Section 5                                                                                                                                       13

 

ARTICLE 7 - SENIORITY                                                                                                                       14

            Section 1 - Definition of Service/Seniority                                                                                       14

            Section 2 - Probationary Period                                                                                                     14

            Section 3 - Seniority List                                                                                                                15

            Section 4 - Loss of Seniority/Employment                                                                                       15

 

ARTICLE 8 - LAYOFF                                                                                                                            16

            Section 1 - Layoff Definition                                                                                                           16

            Section 2 - Consultation/Notice                                                                                                      16

            Section 3 - Layoff Procedure                                                                                                         16

            Section 4 - CETA and JTPA Employees                                                                                        17

            Section 5 - Use of Accumulated Vacation                                                                                       17

            Section 6 - Grant-Funded Positions                                                                                                17

            Section 7 - Transfer of County-Funded Position to Grant-Funded Position                                      17

            Section 8 - Seniority Groups                                                                                                          18

            Section 9 - Leaves of Absence                                                                                                       18

 

ARTICLE 9 - BUMPING AND RECALL                                                                                                19

            Section 1 - Bumping                                                                                                                       19

            Section 2 - Seniority                                                                                                                       20

            Section 3 - Pay Level                                                                                                                     20

            Section 4 - Notice of Layoff Due to Being Bumped                                                                        20

            Section 5 - Bumping Between Departments Prohibited                                                                    20

            Section 6 - Referrals to Other County or Court Positions                                                                20

            Section 7 - Recall Procedure to the Same Department and Seniority Group                                     20

            Section 8 - Recall Procedure to Another Department                                                                      21

            Section 9 - Notice of Recall                                                                                                           21

            Section 10 - Seniority                                                                                                                     21

 

ARTICLE 10 - HOURS OF WORK                                                                                                        23

            Section 1 - Work Schedule                                                                                                            23

            Section 2 - Jury Duty                                                                                                                     23

            Section 3 - Work Breaks                                                                                                               23

            Section 4 - Special Exemptions                                                                                                      23

            Section 5 - Court Time                                                                                                                   23

            Section 6 - Call Back                                                                                                                     24

            Section 7 - Overtime                                                                                                                      24

            Section 8 - On Call                                                                                                                        24

            Section 9 - Change in Work Schedule                                                                                            24

 

ARTICLE 11 - JOB OPENING AND TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS                                                 25

            Section 1 - Job Openings                                                                                                               25

            Section 2 - Temporary Assignment                                                                                                 25

            Section 3 - Career Ladder Promotions                                                                                           25

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       26

            Section 5 - Sanitarians                                                                                                                    26

 

ARTICLE 12 - GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE FOR DISCHARGE OR DISCIPLINE                              28

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       28

            Section 2 - General                                                                                                                        28

            Section 3                                                                                                                                        28

            Section 4 - Time Limits                                                                                                                  31

            Section 5 - Expedited Grievances                                                                                                   31

            Section 6 - Witnesses                                                                                                                     31

 

ARTICLE 13 - ELECTION OF REMEDIES                                                                                            32

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       32

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       32

 

ARTICLE 14 - DISCIPLINE                                                                                                                    33

            Section 1 - Purpose                                                                                                                       33

            Section 2 - Application                                                                                                                   33

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       33

 

ARTICLE 15 - ASSOCIATION                                                                                                               34

            Section 1 - Bulletin Boards                                                                                                             34

            Section 2 - Stewards                                                                                                                      34

            Section 3 - Notice of Representatives                                                                                             35

            Section 4 - Personnel File                                                                                                               35

            Section 5 - Special Meetings                                                                                                          35

            Section 6 - Bargaining Committee                                                                                                   36

            Section 7 - Executive Board Time Off                                                                                            36

            Section 8 - Correspondence                                                                                                           37

 

ARTICLE 16 - ASSOCIATION SECURITY AND CHECKOFF                                                           38

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       38

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       38

            Section 3 - Agency Shop                                                                                                               38

            Section 4 - Continued Employment                                                                                                 39

            Section 5 - Notice of New Hires                                                                                                    40

 

ARTICLE 17 - HOSPITALIZATION - MEDICAL COVERAGE                                                            41

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       41

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       44

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       44

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       44

            Section 5                                                                                                                                       44

            Section 6                                                                                                                                       44

            Section 7                                                                                                                                       45

            Section 8                                                                                                                                       45

            Section 9                                                                                                                                       45

            Section 10 - Health Care Cost Containment Committee                                                                  45

            Section 11 - Domestic Partner Insurance                                                                                        46

 

ARTICLE 18 - LIFE INSURANCE                                                                                                          47

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       47

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       47

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       47

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       47

 

ARTICLE 19 - HOLIDAYS                                                                                                                     48

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       48

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       48

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       48

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       48

            Section 5                                                                                                                                       49

            Section 6                                                                                                                                       49

            Section 7                                                                                                                                       49

            Section 8                                                                                                                                       49

            Section 9                                                                                                                                       49

 

ARTICLE 20 - VACATION                                                                                                                     50

            Section 1 - Schedule                                                                                                                      50

            Section 2 - Use                                                                                                                              50

            Section 3 - Maximum Accumulation                                                                                               50

            Section 4- Absence                                                                                                                        50

            Section 5 - Schedule of Vacations                                                                                                  50

            Section 6 - Records                                                                                                                       50

            Section 7 - Payment of Unused Vacation Hours                                                                              51

            Section 8 - Vacation Bonus Days                                                                                                   51

            Section 9 - Three-Quarter and Part-Time Employees                                                                      51

 

ARTICLE 21 - LEAVES OF ABSENCE                                                                                                  52

            Section 1 - Sick Leave                                                                                                                   52

            Section 2 - Maximum Accumulation                                                                                               52

            Section 3 - Purpose                                                                                                                       52

            Section 4 - Notice                                                                                                                          52

            Section 5 - Minimum Increments                                                                                                    52

            Section 6 - Family Illness                                                                                                                52

            Section 7 - Proof of Illness                                                                                                             52

            Section 8 - Payment for Sick Leave                                                                                                52

            Section 9 - Transfer of Sick Leave                                                                                                 52

            Section 10 - Cash-Out Upon Separation                                                                                        53

            Section 11 - Annual Cash-Out Option                                                                                            53

            Section 12 - Medical Dispute                                                                                                         53

            Section 13 - Compassionate (Funeral) Leave                                                                                  53

            Section 14 - Special Leaves                                                                                                           54

            Section 15 - Association Notice                                                                                                     55

            Section 16 - Sick Time Donation                                                                                                    55

            Section 17                                                                                                                                     55

 

ARTICLE 22 - DISABILITY PLAN                                                                                                         56

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       56

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       56

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       56

 

ARTICLE 23 - LONGEVITY PLAN                                                                                                        57

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       57

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       57

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       58

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       58

            Section 5                                                                                                                                       58

            Section 6                                                                                                                                       58

            Section 7                                                                                                                                       58

 

ARTICLE 24 - RETIREMENT                                                                                                                 60

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       60

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       60

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       61

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       61

            Section 5                                                                                                                                       61

            Section 6                                                                                                                                       61

            Section 7                                                                                                                                       62

            Section 8                                                                                                                                       62

            Section 9                                                                                                                                       62

            Section 10 - Benefit Improvements                                                                                                 62

 

ARTICLE 25 - TRAVEL ALLOWANCE                                                                                                 63

            Section 1 - Parking Allowance                                                                                                       63

            Section 2 - Mileage Allowance                                                                                                       63

            Section 3 - Automobile Insurance                                                                                                   63

            Section 4 - Conferences, Conventions, or Seminars                                                                        64

            Section 5 - Advance Payment                                                                                                        65

            Section 6                                                                                                                                       65

 

ARTICLE 26 - PAST PRACTICE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS                                                          66

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       66

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       66

 

ARTICLE 27 - SAVINGS CLAUSE                                                                                                        67

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       67

 

ARTICLE 28 - SALARIES AND COST OF LIVING                                                                              68

            Section 1 - Salaries                                                                                                                        68

            Section 2 - Overpayments                                                                                                              70

 

ARTICLE 29 - DENTAL INSURANCE                                                                                                  76

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       76

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       76

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       76

 

ARTICLE 30 - HEALTH AND SAFETY                                                                                                 77

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       77

 

ARTICLE 31 - ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE POLICY                                                                            78

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       78

            Section 2                                                                                                                                       78

            Section 3                                                                                                                                       78

            Section 4                                                                                                                                       79

 

ARTICLE 32 - WORKER'S COMPENSATION                                                                                     80

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       80

            Section 2 - Use of Accumulated Sick Leave When on Worker's Compensation                              80

 

ARTICLE 33 - I.R.S. SECTION 125                                                                                                       81

 

ARTICLE 34 - TAX RATE ON SEPARATE CHECKS                                                                           82

 

ARTICLE 35 - SEVERABILITY CLAUSE                                                                                              83

 

ARTICLE 36 - VISION INSURANCE                                                                                                    84

            Section 1                                                                                                                                       84

 

ARTICLE 37 - FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT                                                                        85

            Section 1 - Family and Medical Leave                                                                                            85

 

ARTICLE 38 - EXPIRATION CLAUSE                                                                                                  86

 

SENIORITY GROUPS                                                                                                                          A-1

 

COUNTY PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES                                                                                         B-1

 


AGREEMENT

 

            THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this ____ day of _______, A.D., 2006, between the COUNTY OF INGHAM, a municipal body corporate of the State of Michigan, and the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney, Ingham County Clerk, Ingham County Register of Deeds, Ingham County Treasurer, Ingham County Drain Commissioner, and Ingham County Sheriff, hereinafter referred to as the "EMPLOYER", and the INGHAM COUNTY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as the "ASSOCIATION".

 

            THIS AGREEMENT shall remain in force and effect commencing the 1st day of January, 2006, through the 31st day of December, 2008.   

 


PREAMBLE

 

            THIS AGREEMENT, entered into by the parties, has as its purpose, the promotion of harmonious relations between the EMPLOYER and the ASSOCIATION, the establishment of an equitable and peaceful procedure for the resolution of differences and the establishment of rates of pay, hours of work and other specified conditions of employment.

 

            The parties encourage to the fullest degree, friendly and cooperative relations between the respective representatives of all levels.

 


 ARTICLE 1

 

RECOGNITION

 

            Section 1.  Unit Recognition.  The EMPLOYER hereby recognizes the ASSOCIATION, pursuant to Case No. R86 H-287 of the Employment Relations Commission, State of Michigan, Department of Labor, in the Unit described below, as the exclusive representative for the purpose of collective bargaining and that pursuant to Sections 11 and 12 of Act 336 of the Public Acts of 1947, as amended, that said ASSOCIATION is the exclusive representative of all of the employees in such unit for the purposes of collective bargaining with respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment and other conditions of employment:

 

            A.        Unit Description.  All employees classified as Professional employees, but excluding Professional employees certified by MERC to be represented by another bargaining agent, and confidential, executive, managerial, and supervisory employees as defined by MERC and identified as such by the EMPLOYER, and covered under the Personnel Manual.

 

            Section 2.  Exclusions.  All those positions unclassified or classified as stated in this Agreement shall be represented by the ASSOCIATION for the purposes of collective bargaining, provided the above-stated exclusions shall supersede any questions of representation.

 

            Section 3.  Other Agreements.  The EMPLOYER agrees that during the life of this Agreement it will not enter into any agreement with employees individually or collectively which conflicts with or are contrary to the terms of this Agreement without negotiating with the ASSOCIATION.

 

 


ARTICLE 2

 

NONDISCRIMINATION

 

            Section 1.  EMPLOYER'S Pledge.  The EMPLOYER, while engaging in hiring, promoting, advancing, or assigning to jobs, or any other term or condition of employment agrees not to discriminate because of race, height, weight, age, color, national origin, religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, membership or activity on behalf of the ASSOCIATION, or participation in the grievance procedure.

 

            Section 2.  ASSOCIATION'S Pledge.  The ASSOCIATION agrees that, with regard to membership, representation or ASSOCIATION activity, it will not discriminate for any of the reasons set forth above.

 

            Section 3.  Gender.  References to the feminine gender may refer to the masculine gender or vice versa.

 

            Section 4.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the EMPLOYERS' ability to comply with State or Federal civil rights requirements, including compliance with any accommodations requirements under the Michigan Handicappers Act or the Americans With Disabilities Act; and/or any State or Federal judicial or administrative orders directing compliance with an applicable State or Federal civil rights law or regulation.

 

 


ARTICLE 3

 

EMPLOYER RIGHTS

 

            Section 1.  Right to Manage.  The ASSOCIATION recognizes that the EMPLOYER reserves and retains, solely and exclusively, all rights to manage and operate the EMPLOYER'S affairs.

 

            Section 2.  Retention of Rights.  All rights, functions, powers and authority which the EMPLOYER has not expressly and specifically abridged, amended, delegated or modified by this Agreement are recognized by the ASSOCIATION as being retained and reserved by the EMPLOYER. 

 

            Section 3.  Constitutional/Statutory Rights.  Neither the Constitution nor the statutory rights, duties and obligations of the EMPLOYER shall in any way whatsoever be abridged unless specifically provided for under the terms of this Agreement.

 

            Section 4.  Rules and Regulations.  The EMPLOYER shall have, within its discretion, the right to make, amend, supplement or delete rules and regulations.  However the ASSOCIATION (Local President, General Counsel and Business Agent) shall receive a copy of any new or modified rule or regulation ten (10) days prior to its effective date, unless conditions warrant necessary and immediate implementation. Said rule shall be transmitted to the Human Resources Office for its review.  If there is concern regarding the fairness of the rule or rule change, the ASSOCIATION (Local President, General Counsel and/or Business Agent) may request a special conference between the ASSOCIATION, a representative of the Human Resources Department, and the Department Head, or his/her representative, to discuss the reasonableness of the rule.   In no case will the rule change or new rule become subject to the grievance procedure.

 

            Section 5.  Notice of Requirement.  If the ASSOCIATION does not receive a copy of the new work rule or modification thereof as required above, the same shall not be binding upon the ASSOCIATION, the employee, or the EMPLOYER.

 

 


ARTICLE 4

 

EMPLOYER SECURITY

 

            Section 1.  The parties hereto mutually recognize that the services performed by the employees covered by this Agreement are essential to the public health, safety and welfare.  The ASSOCIATION agrees that there shall be no interruption of these services, for any cause whatsoever, by the employees it represents, nor shall there be any concerted failure by them to report for duty, nor shall they absent themselves from their work, stop work or abstain in whole or in part from the full, faithful and proper performance of the duties of their employment, or picket on the EMPLOYER'S premises.

 

            The ASSOCIATION further agrees that there shall be no strikes, sit-downs, slowdowns, stay-ins, stoppages of work, or any act that interferes in any manner or to any degree with the services of or to the EMPLOYER.


ARTICLE 5

 

DEFINITION OF EMPLOYEES

 

            Section 1.  Definitions.  The terms "employee" and "employees", when used in this Agreement, shall refer to and include only those regular, full-time employees and part-time employees who have completed their probationary period as set forth in this Agreement and who are employed by the EMPLOYER in the collective bargaining unit described hereunder.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall be applicable:

 

A.        Full-Time Employees: Employees regularly scheduled to work forty (40) hours per week shall be considered as regular, full-time employees. A regular, full-time employee shall be entitled to the benefits under this Agreement except where otherwise indicated.

 

B.         Three-Quarter-Time Employees:  Employees regularly scheduled to work between thirty (30) and thirty-nine (39) hours weekly shall receive the following:

 

                        1)         Vacation, vacation bonus, sick leave, funeral leave and holiday pay on a prorated basis.

 

                        2)         Cost of living at one-half the rate that full-time employees are eligible to receive.

 

                        3)         Dental coverage the same as full-time employees are eligible to receive.

 

                        4)         Overtime compensation, but only if said employees work over forty (40) hours per week.

 

                        5)         Said employees shall not receive overtime compensation if they work over eight (8) hours in any one given day.

 

                        6)         Said employees shall also be eligible to receive two-person hospitalization insurance coverage paid by the EMPLOYER.

 

                        7)         Retirement benefits where eligible on a prorated basis in proportion to their work schedule.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the parties agree that effective January 1, 1983, the EMPLOYER may reduce full-time employees' hours in lieu of layoff.  Prior to layoff or reduction of hours, the EMPLOYER will meet with the ASSOCIATION to discuss the layoff or reduction of hours for specific program sub-units within a department(s) and possible alternatives.

 

The affected employee(s) shall have the option to accept the reduced hours position. If the affected employee(s) declines the reduced hours position, then, under those circumstances the EMPLOYER may fill that position with another person and the affected employee shall be laid off.

 

Except as stated above, when full-time employees are laid off, there shall be no new additional positions added for three-quarter-time, part-time or special part-time employees in the same classification in the same department as the laid off full-time employee.

 

C.        Part-Time Employees:   Employees who are regularly scheduled to work less than full-time, but at least half-time (20 hours per week up to and including 29 hours per week) shall be classified as regular, part-time employees.  They shall:

 

                        1)         Be paid for their hours worked at the regular rate of their salary grade.

 

                        2)         Receive overtime pay on the same basis as three-quarter time employees.

 

                        3)         Receive vacation, vacation bonus, sick leave, holiday pay, funeral leave and a cost of living allowance at one-half the rate that full-time employees are eligible to receive.

 

                        4)         Receive health insurance at the single subscriber rate.

 

                        5)         Receive dental coverage the same as full-time employees are eligible to receive.

 

                        6)         Retirement benefits where eligible on a prorated basis in proportion to their work schedule.

 

D.        Special Part-Time Employees:  An employee regularly scheduled to work nineteen (19) hours or less per week shall be considered a special part-time employee.  Such employees shall be compensated by wages only, and shall not be covered by the provisions of this Agreement.

 

E.         Temporary Employees:  An employee who is hired for a period of six (6) months or less to augment the work force will be considered a temporary employee and shall not attain seniority in the bargaining unit and shall be compensated by wages only.

 

This period may be extended for an additional ninety (90) days, provided the temporary employee is not used to displace a regular employee who is on layoff status.  Should the ninety (90) day extension be exceeded, the employee shall be eligible for fringe benefits afforded to regular employees after said ninety (90) days has terminated.

 

Such wages shall not exceed a rate of ten percent (10%) above the beginning rate for that position.  If a temporary employee is eventually hired into a posted regular position, the normal hiring procedures will be followed to determine the regular compensation rate.

 

F.         Substitute Employees:  An employee who is hired to replace an employee on a leave of absence or on worker's compensation shall be considered a substitute employee and shall not attain seniority in the Unit and shall be compensated by wages only.  These employees may be retained for the duration of the regular employee's absence.

 

Such wages shall not exceed a rate of ten percent (10%) above the beginning salary rate for that position.  If a substitute employee is eventually hired into a posted regular position, the normal hiring procedures will be followed to determine the regular compensation rate.

 

            G.        Shared-Time Employees:

 

                        1.         Definition.  A full-time/shared time position is a position in which two employees share one full-time job.

 

2.         Creation of a Full-Time/Shared Position

 

(a)        The employee in the full-time position may request that the position become a shared position by making the request of his/her supervisor and notifying the appropriate bargaining unit representative.

 

                                    (b)        Approval of the supervisor and the appropriate department head and/or elected official must be obtained before a position can be converted to a shared position.

 

(c)        Final approval for shared positions originates from the Ingham County County Services Committee per Resolution #80-355.

 

(d)        The creation of a full-time/shared position to replace a vacant full-time position must be agreed upon by the bargaining unit involved and the County Services Committee.

 

                        3.         Continuation and Review of Full-Time/Shared Positions.

 

(a)        The supervisor will determine the duration of the shared position based on departmental needs.

 

(b)        A review of the shared positions will be conducted by the County and the appropriate bargaining units at the time of the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement to determine if it is feasible to create alternative shared positions.

 

4.         Shared Work Schedule.  The work schedule will be determined by the supervisor for the shared positions in a manner to attempt to accommodate the employees, as well as the needs of the department.

 

                        5.         Reversibility.

 

(a)        The County Services Committee may convert, at its discretion, the previously designated shared position back to a full-time position which would be filled through regular County employment procedures.

 

(b)        In the event that one of the partners in a shared position leaves the position, one of the following options may occur:

 

1)         The remaining employee may continue to share the position and the other half would be filled through regular County employment procedures.

 

2)         Should it be determined by the Administrative Service/Personnel Committee that the position will be converted to full-time, it will be filled through regular County employment procedures.

 

6.         Limits.  There will be a total limit of ten (10) full-time/shared positions under the ICEA.

 

                        7.         Longevity.

 

(a)        Full-time employees who are placed in shared positions are eligible for a pro rata share of longevity, provided they meet the other longevity requirements as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

 

(b)        Payment of longevity to two shared-time employees will not exceed the total amount which otherwise would have been paid to a full-time employee in that position.

 

8.         Fringe Benefits.  Full-time/shared-time employees shall receive the same fringe benefits as part-time employees except longevity which shall be paid as above based upon the number of hours they work, as stated in Article 5, Section 1(C).

 

9.         Layoff and Bumping.  In case of a reduction in force, employees in a full-time/shared position will not be eligible to bump an employee in a full-time position, regardless of seniority.

 

10.       Term.  The Shared-Time Employee Program shall remain in force and effect for the duration of this contract.

 

            Section 2.  Contracted Benefits.  Notwithstanding the above provisions, no benefits shall be afforded to any employee when the EMPLOYER'S contractual arrangement with a third party for said benefits do not permit coverage of said employees.


ARTICLE 6

 

CLASSIFICATION PLAN

 

            Section 1.  The EMPLOYER has recognized three distinctive groups of jobs based upon similar training and skills required, as well as other qualities providing them with a community of associated interests. This Agreement covers the bargaining unit of most Professional positions, and excludes managerial/supervisory, confidential, technical, office, paraprofessional and service, supervisory jobs and positions which are not of a professional nature.

 

            Professional jobs fall into one of two groups -- the "Technical Professionals" and the "Administrative Professionals". Technical Professionals are those whose jobs require them to spend the majority of their time performing duties which require knowledge of an advance type in a field of science or learnings.  Such knowledge is normally obtained by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction and study as distinguished from a general academic education, an apprenticeship, or from training in the performance of routine mental, manual, or physical processes. In addition, Technical Professionals must (a) consistently exercise discretion and independent judgment, and (b) do work that is mainly intellectual and varied as opposed to that which is mechanical or routine. Examples of Technical Professional classifications include: Engineer, Psychologist, and Veterinarian.

 

            Administrative Professionals are those whose jobs require them to spend the majority of their time in responsible, mental work which is directly related to the carrying on of County programs or policies. Such employees must (a) customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment, and (b) have the authority to make decisions which could have a significant impact on the financial, public, and/or employee relations posture of the County. Examples of Administrative Professional classifications include: Appraiser, Public Health Sanitarian, and Child Welfare Worker.

 

            Section 2. The classification plan for Professional positions shall consist of the classes listed in this Agreement, with new positions included as may be recommended by the County Services Committee and approved by the Board of Commissioners.  Future reclassifications for current professional positions shall be through the negotiation process for a successor agreement, unless the parties jointly agree otherwise.

 

            Section 3. In the event that a new classification is proposed, the ASSOCIATION Local President, ASSOCIATION Counsel's Office, Business Agent, and Chief Steward shall be notified of the recommended salary prior to presentation to the County Services Committee. This notification shall include the criteria used to determine the EMPLOYER's proposed salary.

 

            If the ASSOCIATION does not respond to the notice of the proposed rate within six (6) work days, the rate shall become effective upon approval by the Board of Commissioners.  If the ASSOCIATION disagrees with the above within six (6) work days by providing notice in writing, a meeting shall be scheduled within seven (7) work days with the Human Resources Director, the ASSOCIATION Local President, Chief Steward and ASSOCIATION attorney. If there is no resolution at the meeting, and the ASSOCIATION alleges the rate is unreasonable, it may appeal to the County Services Committee and present evidence which the ASSOCIATION believes pertinent.  There shall be no appeal from the County Services Committee except if the County Services Committee's decision is changed by the Board of Commissioners, in which event, the ASSOCIATION has the right to seek an arbitrator's decision within ten (10) work days, under the Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

            Section 4. Disputes as to whether a new classification should be in or out of the bargaining unit shall be resolved by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission in accordance with its applicable administrative procedure.

 

            Section 5.  The parties also recognize that the classification plan may be changed through an EMPLOYER-initiated reorganization or restructuring which results in substantial changes in classification responsibilities.  In such situations, the parties agree to bargain over the impact of the substantial changes in classification responsibilities.

 

 


ARTICLE 7

 

SENIORITY

 

            Section 1.  Definition of Service/Seniority

 

A.        Service, for economic and fringe benefit purposes, shall mean the status attained by continuous length of service as an employee within Ingham County, County Court employment.  Continuous service is defined as that time actually spent on the active payroll of the EMPLOYER (Ingham County and County Court) plus approved leaves of absence period, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement.

 

B.         Seniority, shall mean the length of time within the employ of Ingham County or the various County Courts, excepting the length of time spent in a bargaining unit represented by the UAW. 

 

C.        The application of seniority shall be limited as applied to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.  Employees who are hired on the same date shall be placed on the seniority list as determined by adding up all of the numbers of the employee's social security number, the highest having the greatest seniority.  Each number shall be considered as a single number.

 

D.        It is agreed by and between the parties that all employees within the bargaining unit as of January 23, 1996 shall have service and seniority as though they had been in the ICEA bargaining unit from their original date of hire with the EMPLOYER (Ingham County and County Courts), notwithstanding Section 1(B) above.

 

E.         For the purpose of this Section, "County Courts" shall mean the 55th Judicial District Court, the 30th Judicial Circuit Court/Court of Claims and the Ingham Probate Court.

 

            Section 2.  Probationary Period.

 

A.        New employees hired shall be considered probationary employees for the first six (6) months of their employment.  Unpaid absences from work in excess of ten (10) work days shall extend the probationary period accordingly.  Upon completion of this probationary period, the employee shall acquire seniority dated back six (6) months from the date he/she completed the probationary period.  The probationary period may be extended once for not more than ninety (90) calendar days, provided that a written evaluation of the employee's performance is made within the first six (6) months of employment and upon written notice to the ASSOCIATION Local President and the affected employee.

 

B.         The ASSOCIATION shall not represent employees during the probationary period.  ASSOCIATION dues or representation fees shall not be paid during an employee's probationary period.