A G R E E M E N T

Effective January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009

between

ALTALINK MANAGEMENT LTD.

hereinafter designated and referred to as the “Company”

and the

UNITED UTILITY WORKERS’ ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

hereinafter designated and referred to as the “Association”

• Effective January 1, 2007 make the following adjustments:

• Payroll Assistant from B2 to B3

• Transmission Lineman Foreman from T4 to T5

• Add PSE position in the T2 pay group

• Relay Tech – change title to Protection and Control Technologist

• Relay Tech Workleader – change title to Protection and Control Technologist Workleader

• Additional 25 cent per hour “market” increase for T schedule employees effective January 1, 2007

• Retiree Retention Unique Work Arrangements – see Letter of Understanding

• Job Evaluation and Pay Schedule review – see Letter of Understanding

• Post Retiree Benefits – to be reinstated, eliminating the phasing out of retiree benefits effective immediately

• Term of agreement, 3 years commencing January 1, 2007 and
  terminating December 31, 2009
   
• Increase all pay rates as follows:

• 5% effective January 1, 2007
• 4.75% effective January 1, 2008
• 5% effective January 1, 2009

• Business Schedule
• Technical Schedule

JOB TITLES

• Business Services
• Technical Services

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 - Transfer Expenses - In-Scope Employees
Attachment 2 - Transfer Expenses - Mobile Homes
Attachment 3 - Rearranged Hours of Work (10 Hour Day, 4 Day Week)

Transmission Technologists and Transmission Crews

Attachment 4 - Rearranged Hours of Work -

Field Staff Working in Shop Environments

Attachment 5 - Extensive Overnight Absences

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES

LETTERS OF UNDERSTANDING

Field Technologists - Floater Positions
Guidelines for the Use of Contractors
Job Evaluation and Pay Schedules
Job Sharing
Pension and Benefits
Retiree Retention Unique Work Arrangements
Telecommuting
Transitions

Signing Page
 

1. a) The duration of a Term position shall be more than six (6) months and no greater than three years unless otherwise agreed by the Association and the Company.
   
   b) The duration of a Term position may be extended by agreement of the Association. For this purpose, a request to extend the duration shall be provided to the Association and affected employee at least thirty (30) days in advance of the expiry of the term.
   
   c) The term may be reduced for operational reasons provided the employee receives a minimum of two (2) weeks notice, unless a greater period of notice is required by the Employment Standards Code.

2.4 A “Probationary” employee is one who, at commencement of employment with the Company, occupies a Permanent or Term position for a trial period of six (6) months, and whose employment may be terminated at the Company’s discretion at any time during this probationary period. A review of such employee’s progress shall be made and discussed with the employee before or during the fourth month of employment.

2.5 A “Temporary” employee is an employee who is not covered by the terms of this Agreement and is:

A person who is hired as casual to perform emergency or other work on an irregular basis

or

A person who is hired to perform work for a period of six (6) months or less.

2.6 The Company shall advise the Association, in writing, of all newly hired Terms. The notice shall include the name of the employee, the position, the start date, and the expected duration.

2.7 Wherever the singular is used throughout this Agreement, the same shall be construed as meaning the plural where the context or the parties so require.
 

An employee who feels they have a grievance shall discuss the matter with their immediate supervisor within ten (10) working days from the date of the incident prompting the grievance. The employee may request an Association representative be present for this meeting. The supervisor shall answer grievances within three (3) working days of this meeting.

Notwithstanding the above, a selection grievance resulting from a posted position, shall be submitted to the supervisor indicated on the job posting within five (5) working days from the date the employee was notified either verbally or in writing of the selection decision, whichever is earlier. If such notification is verbal it shall be made personally by the supervisor indicated on the job posting. The Association and the supervisor can mutually agree to waive the First Step for a selection grievance.

Agreements or resolutions at Step 1, shall be consistent with the terms of the Collective Agreement, and shall be without prejudice.

5.2 Second Step

If a satisfactory settlement is not reached in the First Step, the employee through the Association, within four (4) working days of receipt of the answer from the employee’s immediate supervisor (or for selection grievances, the immediate supervisor with the vacancy), shall present the grievance in writing to the employee’s Department Head (except for selection grievances in which case the employee shall through the Association present it to the Department Head with the vacancy). The Department Head (or appointee) shall, within four (4) working days of receipt of the grievance, arrange a meeting with the grievor. An Association representative shall be present for this meeting unless the grievor requests that the representative not attend. The Department Head (or appointee) shall answer the grievance in writing to the grievor, with a copy to the Association, within three (3) working days of this meeting.

5.3 Third Step

If on completion of the Second Step either the Association or the Company wishes to process the grievance further, either shall, within three (3) working days, submit the grievance in writing to a Grievance Committee consisting of three (3) representatives of the Company and three (3) representatives of the Association. The Grievance Committee shall arrange a meeting within five (5) working days of this notice and shall give its decision in writing to the Association and the Company, within three (3) working days of this meeting. The employee may request to discuss their grievance with the Grievance Committee if the employee so desires.

5.4 Fourth Step

Should a majority of the Grievance Committee fail to agree upon a settlement and if the Association wishes to process the grievance further, within three (3) working days, the grievance shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer (or appointee) by a representative of the Association. The Chief Executive Officer (or appointee) shall answer the grievance in writing within three (3) working days of meeting with the representative of the Association. The employee may request to be present for this meeting if the employee so desires.

5.5 Fifth Step

If a satisfactory settlement is not reached in Step Four, within five (5) working days of receipt of answer from the Chief Executive Officer (or appointee), either the Company or the Association may notify the other party in writing of its desire to submit the difference to arbitration and the notice shall contain a statement of the difference and name of the first party’s appointee to an Arbitration Board. The recipient of the notice shall, within five (5) days, exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays and other holidays, inform the other party of the name of its appointee to the Arbitration Board. The two (2) appointees so selected shall, within five (5) working days, exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays and other holidays, of the appointment of the second of them, appoint a third person who shall be the chairman.

If the recipient of the notice fails to make an appointment within the time limits, the appointment shall be made by the Minister of Labour upon the request of either party. If the two (2) appointees fail to agree upon a chairman within the time limits, the appointment shall be made by the Minister of Labour upon the request of either party.

The Arbitration Board shall hear and determine the difference and shall issue an award in writing and the decision is final and binding upon the parties and upon any employee affected by it. The award of a majority is the award of the Arbitration Board, but if there is no majority, the decision of the chairman governs and shall be deemed to be the award of the Board. The Arbitration Board by its decision shall not alter, amend or change the terms of this Agreement.

Each party to the difference shall bear the expenses of its respective appointee to the Arbitration Board and the two (2) parties shall bear equally the expenses of the chairman.

5.6 Should the parties agree, any matter may be referred to a single arbitrator whose decision shall be final and binding on the parties.

5.7 The time limits expressed in the foregoing shall be observed by both parties. However, any one (1) or all of the time limits or steps may be extended or waived by mutual agreement.
 

1. Pension Plan
   
   An employee on layoff will be counseled as to the options available to them.
    
2. Vacation
   
   When laid off, an employee would be paid out the vacation the employee had not taken and any accumulated vacation owing, from their vacation accrual date to the date of layoff.
    
3. Other Benefits
   
   A laid off employee’s life insurance coverage ceases following thirty-one (31) days of layoff. If desired, the employee may convert part or all of the employee’s coverage to an individual policy within the thirty-one (31) days following layoff.
   
   Eligibility under the Dental Plan and the Short Term and Long Term Disability Plan cease upon layoff. Entitlement to Alberta Health Care and the Voluntary Major Medical Plan benefits continue to the end of the month in which the employee was laid off.

6.9 When the Company wishes to terminate the services of a permanent employee due to layoff, such an employee shall be given one (1) month’s notice or one (1) month’s pay in lieu of notice. This is not applicable when an employee is discharged for just cause.

6.10 Employees who are laid off shall receive severance pay as per the formula in the company published involuntary termination and severance policy. The same policy and severance pay formula shall apply for both Association and non-union employees.
 

1. When a promotion occurs, the employee concerned shall be placed in that position within the employee’s new pay level which reflects an increase in pay which shall be no less than one (1) step in the level from which the employee was promoted or to the bottom of the new pay level, whichever is the greater.
   
   For example (using 2007 rates), an employee who is currently in the B2 pay level at Step 4, is the successful applicant on a B3 level job, the calculation is as follows:
   $21.76 (B2 Step 4) subtract $20.55 (B2 Step 3) which equals $1.21.
   
   This means the employee must receive at least a $1.21/hr increase. In this case the individual would move to $24.00 (B3 Step 5).
    
2. On any promotion in the same pay schedule (a) above shall be adjusted as required so that no promoted employee shall receive less than the employee’s immediate subordinate and subject to 17.6 the employee shall not be held at the same rate as the employee’s subordinate for more than six (6) months.

7.8 Temporary Assignments

Where the Company has an opportunity that provides employees with learning or experience, such as projects or special assignments that are expected to exceed three (3) months, the Company shall advise employees of the vacancies through an internal notification. The vacancies shall be filled by permanent employees unless there are no qualified employees who express interest. Any vacancy created by a permanent employee moving to such an assignment shall not be filled on a permanent basis for the duration of the temporary assignment provided the assignment does not exceed twelve (12) months.

1. Upon completion of temporary assignments of twelve (12) months or less, permanent employees shall return to their previous position provided the position still exists and the employee has not bid into another position. Should the previous position no longer exist, the employee shall be placed in a permanent position at the same salary and benefits level as the previous position.

1. Should a temporary assignment of twelve (12) months or less require extension beyond twelve (12) months, the employee may return to their previous position; or

1. an agreement is reached to hold the previous position;
   
   or
    
2. upon completion of the temporary assignment, placement into another permanent position at the same salary and benefits level as the previous position

2. Upon completion of temporary assignments that exceed twelve (12) months, permanent employees shall be placed in a permanent position at the same salary and benefits level as their previous permanent position unless agreement is reached to hold the position for the duration of the temporary assignment.

1. Seven (7) hours and fifty-five (55) minutes shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek. A Monday or Friday off per month shall be designated by the Company for each employee.
    
2. Normal office hours shall be from 7:35 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with one (1) hour off for lunch. It is agreed that on forty-eight (48) hours notice the Company may change the normal starting time providing the regular hours of work occur between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. If mutually agreeable between the Company and an employee, the duration of the lunch period may be varied by up to one-half (1/2) hour.

2. Office Staff - Shift Employees

1. Shifts shall be scheduled and posted by the Company. Seven (7) hours and fifty-five (55) minutes shall constitute a regular shift or workday and thirty-seven and one half (37.5) hours shall constitute an average workweek. A Monday or Friday off for each employee shall be designated each month by the Company.
    

2. Normal hours for shifts shall be as follows:
   
   Day Shift - shall be a shift which commences between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
   
   Evening Shift - shall be a shift which commences between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
   
   Night Shift - shall be a shift which commences between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and1:00 a.m.

8.2 FIELD STAFF

Eight (8) hours shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek from November 1 to April 30. Eight (8) hours and thirty (30) minutes shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek, except that a Monday or Friday off per month shall be designated by the Company for each employee from May 1 to October 31.

1. Non-Shift Employees - General

1. From November 1 to April 30, normal field hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with one (1) hour off for lunch. Eight (8) hours shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek. It is agreed that on forty-eight (48) hours’ notice the Company may change the normal field staff hours shown above by one (1) hour or less.
    
2. From May 1 to October 31, normal field staff hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with one (1) hour off for lunch, except that in each of the aforementioned months, a Monday or Friday off shall be designated by the Company for each employee. Eight (8) hours and thirty (30) minutes shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek. It is agreed that on forty-eight (48) hours’ notice the Company may change the normal field staff hours shown above by one (1) hour or less.
    
3. If mutually agreeable between the Company and the majority of the employees in a work unit, a one-half hour (1/2) lunch period may be considered.
    
4. If mutually agreeable between the Company and an employee(s) in a work unit, a one-half (1/2) hour lunch period will be granted provided the employee(s) has been requested to bring a home prepared lunch as per Article 15.3.

2. Non-Shift Employees - Operating Personnel

1. From November 1 to April 30, normal field staff hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the regular workweek shall be any five (5) consecutive days, Monday through Saturday, with one (1) hour off for lunch. Eight (8) hours shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek. It is agreed that on forty-eight (48) hours’ notice the Company may change the normal field staff hours shown above by one (1) hour or less.
    
2. From May 1 to October 31, normal field staff hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the regular work week shall be any five (5) consecutive days, Monday through Saturday, with one (1) hour off for lunch, except that in each of the aforementioned months, a Monday or Friday off shall be designated by the Company for each employee. Eight (8) hours shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek. It is agreed that on forty-eight (48) hours’ notice the Company may change the normal field staff hours shown above by one (1) hour or less.
    
3. If mutually agreeable between the Company and the majority of the employees in a work unit, a one-half (1/2) hour lunch period may be considered.
    

1. If mutually agreeable between the Company and an employee(s) in a work unit, a one-half (1/2) hour lunch period will be granted provided the employee(s) has been requested to bring a home prepared lunch as per Article 15.3.
    
2. It is further agreed that where there is only one (1) man qualified to be on standby or where vacations reduce the remaining staff coverage to less that fifty percent (50%) of total staff available as a result of the day off, employees shall revert to the hours as outlined in 8.2(b)(1).

3. Shift Employees
   
   Schedules of regular shifts shall be as arranged and posted from time to time by the Company, but may be further varied by mutual agreement between the Company and the Association. From November 1 to April 30, eight (8) hours shall constitute a regular workday or shift and forty (40) hours shall constitute an average workweek. From May 1 to October 31, eight (8) hours and thirty (30) minutes shall constitute a regular workday and forty (40) hours shall constitute an average workweek, except that in each of the months May through October, a Monday or Friday off shall be designated by the Company for each employee.
   
   Normal hours for shifts shall be as follows:
   
   Evening Shift - considered as a shift which commences between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
   
   Night Shift - considered as a shift which commences between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.
    
4. When a field staff employee is rescheduled, at the Company’s request, to work a normal work period or shift other than the employee’s regular scheduled hours or shift with less than fifteen (15) hours off between work periods or shifts, the employee shall receive applicable overtime rates computed on basic salary for this initial period or shift as per Article 10.1.

8.3 Hours of work vary only as stated in Clause 11.3, Attachments 3 and 4 at the back of this Agreement.

8.4 If mutually agreeable between the Company and the employee, another workday may be substituted for the designated day off.

8.5 Once established, work schedules may only be changed by mutual agreement between the Company and an employee, or on four (4) weeks written notice by the Company, with a copy provided to the Association.
 

Overtime is when employees are required to work outside of their scheduled hours, on days off, or on holidays. If the Company requires overtime to be worked, such hours are to be paid at the rate of two (2) times their regular pay. Employees may choose one of the following options for overtime worked:

1. Receive overtime pay
   In order to receive overtime pay, employees or designated delegates, shall enter their approved overtime in the time entry system.
    
2. Bank overtime pay
   An employee may request in writing that the Company hold the payment of overtime pay until a later date in the year. Employees must request in writing to receive their banked overtime.
   
   All banked overtime must be paid out prior to year end. Any overtime pay banked and not taken prior to December 31st in any year, shall be paid out to the employee at the rate at which the pay was banked.
    
3. Receive time off rather than pay
   When mutually agreed to by the employee and the Company, time off may be taken by the employee rather than receiving overtime pay. Time worked and taken must be in the same calendar year. Employees receive two (2) hours off for each (1) hour overtime worked.
   
   When the time is taken off, it must be agreed to by the manager. Such time off, up to a maximum of five (5) days at any one time, will be permitted provided that the requested time off does not result in additional overtime for that employee and/or other employees. Therefore, requests for time off more than thirty (30) days in advance of the actual time off may not be considered.
    
4. Combination of a, b and c above
   Employees may choose a combination of options a, b, and c, subject to the requirements described for each of these options.

11.1 Flex Time

Flex time is when an employee requests to change their regular scheduled hours which results in the same total number of hours worked but the hours are worked at a different time in order to accommodate the employee. Flex time must have pre-approval from the manager. Flex time is banked at the rate of one (1) times regular pay, i.e. employees receive one (1) hour off for each one (1) hour worked. For example, with management approval, an employee works an additional two (2) hours on Thursday in order to leave work two (2) hours early on Friday. Flex time is intended to accommodate short-term requirements, not for long-term needs that require many days off.

11.2 Time Off Without Pay

An employee may request to have time off without pay. Time off without pay must be approved by the Manager. Typically time off will be short-term in nature, and in any event, shall not exceed one (1) month.

11.3 Flexible Hours of Work Agreements

There are personal and work situations for employees and supervisors alike where mutual advantage may be gained from agreement to modify the hours of work. Either employees or supervisors can propose flexible hour arrangements. Flexible hours of work agreements require the approval of employees and management.

1. Proposals for flexible hours of work will be considered which meet the following conditions of satisfaction:

1. Flexible hour agreements will be entered into by employees and supervisors on a voluntary basis.
    
2. In spirit, flexible hours proposals must foresee tangible benefits for the employee and the Company. For example, quality of life of employees, service to customers, quality of work or productivity improvements are tangible benefits where such benefits can be demonstrated.
    
3. All requests to introduce flexible hours of work will receive due consideration from impacted supervisor(s) and employee(s).
    
4. Any agreement to introduce flexible hours of work must include an understanding between the supervisor and employee(s) involved of the hours to be worked, the duration of the agreement and the length of notice required to cancel the agreement. For clarity, the supervisor and employee(s) are encouraged to have a written agreement. The introduction of flexible hours for periods in excess of thirty (30) calendar days shall be in writing, with a copy provided to the Association.
    
5. Either party to a flexible hours of work agreement can end the agreement provided they give the appropriate notice as per condition iv) above. Where the appropriate notice period has not been set out, two (2) weeks notice must be given.

2. For purposes of Article 10 of the Collective Agreement the agreed upon hours of work shall become the "scheduled hours of work on a work day". Hours worked outside the agreed upon hours shall be overtime.

14.2 Pay for vacations under 14.1 shall be at the employee’s basic scheduled rate of pay applicable during the employee’s vacation period. “Basic scheduled rate” for vacation pay purposes excludes overtime pay, standby pay and any temporary (less than three (3) months) higher or lower pay level/step.

14.3 As far as possible, employees will be granted their choice of vacation periods, but the right to allot vacation periods is reserved by the Company in order to ensure efficient operations.

14.4 In the event that a Company-recognized Holiday falls within an employees’ vacation period, the employee will receive either, a regular day’s pay or an additional day off in lieu of the Holiday at the discretion of the Company.

14.5 In the event that an employee is laid off, resigns or is discharged, the employee will be compensated in money in lieu of the accrued vacation due.

14.6 Employees, while working a twenty-four (24) hour continuous rotating shift schedule shall receive one (1) additional day of vacation upon completion of two (2) years of continuous shift service and an additional day upon completion of each subsequent year of continuous shift service up to a combined maximum of five (5) days. For the purpose of this clause, continuous service shall accrue beginning January 1, 1981. Vacation pay earned under this clause will not be paid on voluntary termination.
 

15.2 Any additional holidays proclaimed by the Provincial and/or Federal Governments, and generally recognized by industry, will be recognized as paid holidays.

Any additional holidays proclaimed by the Civic Governments, and generally recognized by industry, will be recognized as paid holidays, if approved by the Company.

In the event that the Legislature removes Alberta Family Day as a paid holiday, it will be removed from the above list of holidays.

15.3 The period of time recognized as a holiday is the twenty-four (24) hour period beginning at 00:01K on the day which is observed as the holiday.

15.4 When any of the holidays listed above fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the Company, at its discretion, shall declare either the preceding Friday or the following Monday as the day to be observed. When Christmas Day is observed on a Monday, Boxing Day will be observed on the following Tuesday. Shift employees shall observe the holidays listed in Article 15.1 on the calendar days on which they fall.

15.5 When one of these holidays is observed on an employee’s day off, and such day is not worked by the employee, the Company and employee can mutually agree to another day off in lieu of the holiday or if agreement cannot be reached, the employee will receive a regular day’s pay.
 

1. For all overnight absences from home in excess of twenty (20) days per calendar year, employees shall be paid an incidental expense of six dollars ($6.00)* per night.
   *$6.25 effective January 1, 2008
   *$6.50 effective January 1, 2009
    
2. Absences due to optional training, seminars and conferences will not be considered an overnight absence regarding the payment of incidental expense. Optional training is such training that is not required by the individual employee or the Company.

16.8 Employees who perform work significantly damaging or destructive to clothing shall be provided with, or reimbursed for, coveralls/overalls or smocks/aprons to a maximum of fifty-two dollars ($52.00).

16.9 Where, in the opinion of the Company, or as required by legislation or industry standards, working conditions are such that they warrant the wearing of protective clothing and/or footwear, the Company shall provide such clothing and/or footwear, or reimburse the employee for the cost of such clothing and/or footwear in accordance with the Company policies and as follows:

1. Approved Safety Boots and Electrically Resistive Safety Boots, or repairs, will be subsidized at 50% to a maximum of $115.00 per eligible employee per twelve (12) months or $230.00 per eligible employee per twenty-four (24) months.
    
2. 100% of the cost of approved Conductive Boots for Linemen will be covered by the Company.
    
3. Approved Lineman’s Boots or repairs to Lineman’s Boots will be subsidized at 50% to $175.00 per eligible employee once every two (2) years.
    
4. 100% of the cost of Fire Resistant rated outerwear (winter parka, coveralls, and rainwear) will be covered by the Company.
   
   Other Fire Resistant rated items are on a cost share basis where the Company pays 60% and the employee pays 40%.

1. When new job classifications are established, the Company shall set and implement the wage rates thereof, and shall notify the Association thereof within fourteen (14) days of the classification being established.
    
2. When significant changes are effected to existing job classifications to the extent that the job requires re-evaluation, or the job is re-evaluated as a result of the job evaluation maintenance program, the following procedure shall be followed:

1. Where, in the opinion of the Association, a job classification requires re-evaluation, it shall request the Company to proceed with re-evaluation and the Company shall do so within one hundred and twenty (120) days. Upon completion of any evaluation, the Company shall promptly inform the Association of any changes arising therefrom.
    
2. Should a request for re-evaluation, resulting from changes in job content be initiated by an employee, or by the Association on the employee’s behalf, and the re-evaluation results in a reclassification to a higher pay level, the reclassification shall be retroactive to the date the Company received the “Request for Review” application.
    
3. When the Company initiates a re-evaluation of a job and the re-evaluation results in reclassification to a higher pay level as a result of changes in job content, the reclassification shall be retroactive to the date the employee returns the updated job description to the Company after receiving the “Notification of Review” letter.

3. When a dispute arises between the Association and the Company regarding a job evaluation, a Board of four (4) persons shall be established, within ten (10) working days of receipt by the Company, of the Association’s notice of appeal to attempt to resolve the dispute. Two (2) representatives will be appointed by the Company and two (2) representatives will be appointed by the Association, each of the four (4) persons having one (1) equal vote. Every effort should be made to resolve the dispute within ten (10) working days of the Board’s appointment. In the event that the dispute remains unresolved, the following method of settlement shall be adopted:
   
   The Company and the Association shall submit the dispute jointly to two (2) appointees qualified in wage determination and administration, one (1) appointed by the Company and the other by the Association. Such appointees shall meet and hear all pertinent matters and render a decision within fourteen (14) days of their first meeting. In the event that the appointees cannot reach unanimity in their decision, they may appoint a third party of similar qualifications to act as Chairman, such party to be experienced in the field of job evaluation. The unanimous decision of the first two (2) appointees, or a majority decision of the three (3) appointees, shall be final and binding upon both parties.
    
4. When a job classification has been evaluated and assigned a tentative rating, the classification shall be reviewed and a rating confirmed within twelve (12) months, provided the classification has been filled by the same employee.

16.6

1. Scheduled increases are intended to be paid for satisfactory progress. In the event that an employee is not making satisfactory progress, one (1) or more increases may be withheld, provided that the employee concerned and the Association are notified in writing by Management of the reason for withholding such increases. Should the employee fail to give satisfactory service following the withholding of an increase, the employee may be demoted or discharged at the discretion of the Company, subject to the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 of this agreement.
    
2. When a new employee is hired, reasonable allowance shall be made for experience when determining the appropriate wage step. As a guide, for every year of directly related experience, attribute one step on the pay schedule. Recognizing previous experience shall be at the sole discretion of management, and may be modified to reflect other considerations.
    
3. Should a special wage step increase be warranted during the progression period, it may be given at management’s discretion. When an employee is given a special wage step increase, the next six (6) month scheduled increase shall apply from the date of the special increase, providing the employee has not reached their maximum rate.

17.7 An employee temporarily assigned by the supervisor to a position of higher classification, for a period in excess of one (1) week shall, from the first day, be paid at the next higher pay rate applicable to the new classification.

17.8 No employee shall be required to take a lesser rate of pay when assigned at the Company’s request to temporarily perform the duties of another employee. The foregoing shall not be construed as applying to demotion for just cause or assignment to a lower classification to provide continued employment.

17.9 Pyramiding

If two (2) or more premiums are applicable to the same hours worked, an employee shall receive only the highest premium applicable to such hours. For the same hours worked, an employee shall not receive a premium rate under more than one (1) provision of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided.

16.10 An employee who is required to work at or above a height of twenty-four and four tenths (24.4) meters [eighty (80) feet] free fall above ground level will receive, in addition to their regular rate of pay, a premium of one (1) times their normal straight time rate while so engaged. Premium height pay will be paid for each hour or part of an hour so worked. The provision of Article 16.9 shall not apply to height pay premium.

17.10 An employee who is required to work at or above a height of twenty-four and four tenths (24.4) meters [eighty (80) feet] free fall above ground level will receive, in addition to their regular rate of pay, a premium of one (1) times their normal straight time rate while so engaged. Premium height pay will be paid for each hour or part of an hour so worked. The provision of Article 16.9 shall not apply to height pay premium.

17.11 SICK PAY will be in accordance with the provisions of the “Group Salary Continuance Plan” in effect throughout the Company.

17.12 Positions that are typically occupied by an Engineer

When the position is occupied by an Engineer, the individual shall be excluded from the bargaining unit. When the position is occupied by other than an Engineer, the individual shall be included in the bargaining unit.

Individuals with a combination of Technical diploma and relevant industry experience may be considered for these roles.

17.13 Performance Reviews will be provided to employees upon the employee’s request.
 

1. immediately following the last day of maternity leave;
    
2. or a period of not more than thirty-seven (37) consecutive weeks within fifty-two (52) weeks after the child’s birth;
    
3. and in the case of an adoptive parent, a period of not more than thirty-seven (37) consecutive weeks within fifty-two (52) weeks after the child is placed with the adoptive parent for the purpose of adoption.

18.5 An employee’s entitlement to parental leave for the purposes of adoption is conditional on having at least twelve (12) months of continuous service immediately preceding the estimated adoption date.

18.6 Where both prospective parents are employees of the Company and they intend to share parental leave, they must advise the Company of their intention.

18.7 Prior to the adoption, the employee shall notify the Company in writing of their intent to adopt, giving the estimated adoption date unless:

1. the medical condition of the birth mother or child makes it impossible to comply with this requirement;
    
2. the date of the child’s placement with the adoptive parent was not foreseeable

18.8 An employee who wishes to resume employment upon the expiration of maternity or parental leave shall give the Company two (2) weeks’ notice in writing of the day on which the employee intends to resume employment.

18.9 The Company will reinstate the employee in the position they occupied at the time maternity or parental leave commenced or provide the employee with alternative work of a comparable nature at not less than the earnings and other benefits that had accrued to the employee when the maternity or parental leave started.

18.10 During maternity and parental leave, the Company will make premium contributions to continue coverage based on the employees benefit selection and the employee will be required to pay any contribution based on their benefit selection that is over and above the plan credits prior to commencing their leave. Upon reinstatement, the employee will be given full credit for seniority that had accrued to the date that the employee commenced maternity and parental leave.
 

PART 1

When an employee is transferred at the request of the Company or is transferred as a result of being the successful bidder for a posted job, the following shall apply, provided the employee moves within one (1) year from the date of transfer and the position bid to is assessed by the Company to add value to the employee and the Company (e.g. includes lessening of responsibility where there is reasonable potential for that employee's growth in the near future to justify the investment).

1. Travel and Living Expenses of Employee and Members of Employees Family

1. Any trips that an employee makes to investigate a vacant position will be at the employee’s expense and on his own time.
    
2. One (1) round trip to the new location for the employee (and spouse, if applicable) to locate suitable permanent accommodation, including mileage, meals and three (3) nights lodgings.
    
3. Transportation to the new location for the employee and one (1) round trip later, if the employee is married, to transport his family. Transportation expenses will be limited to bus fare or payment for the use of the employee’s personal car at the current Company car allowance rate.
    
4. Lodging and meals, if required, for the employee and his family while enroute to the new location.
    
5. After reaching the new location, reimbursement will be limited to living expenses, including lodging and meals for the employee and members of his family until relocation or up to a maximum of fourteen (14) days, whichever is the shorter period of time.
    
6. Telephone, parking and gratuity expenses directly involved with the move.

3. Moving of Household Furnishings

1. Cost of packing, moving and unpacking normal household possessions being moved from the employee’s former principal residence to the employee’s new location.
    
2. Cost of insurance for normal household possessions while being moved or held in storage.
    
3. Cost of storage up to sixty (60) days when an employee is required to vacate their old residence before being able to occupy suitable accommodation at the new location.
   
   When the senior supervisor has been advised and agrees that the original accommodation is unsatisfactory for permanent living quarters, allowable expenses will include the cost of a second move up to a maximum of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

4. Miscellaneous Transfer Expenses
   
   Payment of up to a maximum of seven hundred dollars ($700.00) to cover actual miscellaneous expenses resulting from a transfer, but not to include replacement of drapes and/or rugs. Receipts are not required by the Company for miscellaneous expense claims of two hundred dollars ($200.00) or less. If claims are in excess of two hundred dollars ($200.00) receipts are required for all expenses claimed.
    
5. Duplicate Housing Expenses
   
   Allowable expenses will consist of the following items, if duplication of costs occurs:

1. Interest on mortgage or equivalent financing at former principal residence.
2. Real estate taxes at former principal residence.
3. Utility accounts at former principal residence.
4. House, garage and locker rent.
5. Room and board.

These expenses will be allowed from the date the employee begins to incur duplicate expenses and will continue up to a maximum period of three (3) months or until duplicate expenses stop, whichever is the shorter period.

6. Expenses Incurred on the Sale and Purchase of a Transferred Employee’s Principal Residence

1. Actual brokerage fee to a licensed realtor up to a maximum of seven percent (7%) of the first $100,000 and three percent (3%) on the balance of the selling price of the employee's principal residence, providing the home is sold within three (3) months of the transfer. If the residence is not sold within three (3) months, the brokerage fee to be paid will be based on an appraisal at the time of transfer or the actual sale price, whichever is the lower. The brokerage fee is to be supported by receipts.
    
2. Actual legal expenses, up to a maximum of the tariff schedule of the Law Society of Alberta, providing the fees are supported by receipts.
    
3. Actual lender-assessed interest penalty upon breaking a first mortgage up to a maximum of three (3) months. The penalty fee is to be supported by receipts.

7. Interim Financing
   
   In cases where an employee must purchase a residence at the new location before having realized equity from the sale of the employee's former principal residence, the Company will pay the interest on interim financing for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days.
   
   The amount of interim financing on which the Company will pay interest will be a maximum of the equity in the former principal residence that is being sold (equity being the guaranteed price less any mortgages and/or loans and less 1.5 % of the guaranteed price to cover closing adjustments)
    
8. Exceptions
   
   When extraordinary or unforeseen circumstances arise, exceptions may be allowed to the above policy, but at the sole discretion of the Company.

PART 2

When an employee is transferred at the request of the Company or is transferred as a result of being the successful bidder for a posted job, the following shall apply provided the employee moves within one (1) year from the date of transfer and the position bid is assessed by the Company not to add value to the employee or the Company (e.g. includes lessening of responsibility where there is no reasonable potential for that employee’s growth in the near future to justify the investment)

1. Travel and Living Expenses of Employees and Members of Employee’s Family

1. Any trips that an employee makes to investigate a vacant position will be at the employee’s expense and on his own time.
    
2. Transportation to the new location for the employee and one (1) round trip later, if the employee is married, to transport his family. Transportation expenses will be limited to bus fare or payment for the use of the employee’s personal car at the current Company car allowance rate.
    
3. Lodging and meals, if required, for the employee and his family while enroute to the new location.
    
4. After reaching the new location, reimbursement will be limited to living expenses, including lodging and meals for the employee and members of his family until relocation or up to a maximum of fourteen (14) days, whichever is the shorter period of time.
    
5. Telephone, parking and gratuity expenses directly involved with the move.
    

2. Moving of Household Furnishings

1. Cost of Packing, moving and unpacking normal household possessions being moved from the employee’s former principal residence to his new location.
    
2. Cost of insurance for normal household possessions while being moved or held in storage.
    
3. Cost of storage up to sixty (60) days when an employee is required to vacate his old residence before being able to occupy suitable accommodation at his new location.

When the senior supervisor has been advised and agrees that the original accommodation is unsatisfactory for permanent living quarters, allowable expenses will include the cost of a second move up to a maximum of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

3. Miscellaneous Transfer Expenses

Payment of up to a maximum of seven hundred dollars ($700.00) to cover actual miscellaneous expenses resulting from a transfer, but not to include replacement of drapes and/or rugs. Receipts are not required by the Company for miscellaneous expense claims of two hundred dollars ($200.00) or less. If claims are in excess of two hundred dollars ($200.00) receipts are required for all expenses claimed.
 

4. Duplicate Housing Expenses
   
   Allowable expenses will consist of the following items, if duplication of costs occurs:

1. 1. Interest on mortgage or equivalent financing at former principal residence.
2. Real estate taxes at former principal residence.
3. Utility accounts at former principal residence.
4. House, garage and locker rent.
5. Room and board.

These expenses will be allowed from the date the employee begins to incur duplicate expenses and will continue up to a maximum period of three (3) months or until duplicate expenses stop, whichever is the shorter period.

5. Exceptions
   
   When extraordinary or unforeseen circumstances arise, exceptions may be allowed to the above policy, but at the sole discretion of the Company.

1. The Following Are Considered Allowable Expenses in the Moving of a Mobile Home

1. The towing by one (1) tractor unit of a single width mobile home and by two (2) tractor units for a double width mobile home from the employee’s former location to his new location.
    
2. The unblocking, packing, reblocking, separation, rejoining of the mobile home and the rental of wheels.
    
3. Dead mileage charges where no local moving firm is available and the moving must be contracted to a firm from another city.
    
4. Pilot car service as required by law.
    
5. Insurance for the mobile home and for normal household possessions, while being moved, where sufficient insurance is not provided by the moving firm.
    
6. Temporary parking, up to a maximum of ninety (90) days, of the mobile home at the new location when an employee is required to vacate his old location and is unable to immediately secure permanent mobile home rental space.
    
7. Payment of up to a maximum of seven hundred dollars ($700.00) to cover actual miscellaneous expenses resulting from a transfer, but not to include replacement of drapes and/or rugs. Receipts are not required by the Company for miscellaneous expense claims of two hundred dollars ($200.00) or less. If claims are in excess of two hundred dollars ($200.00) receipts are required for all expenses claimed.
    
8. Auxiliary transportation for such items as: fuel tanks, blocks, skirts, sheds, fences and porches, up to fifty percent (50%) of the hauling cost of a single width mobile home (see item 1 above).

2. Travel and Living Expenses of Employee and Members of Employee’s Family

1. Transportation to the new location for the employee and one (1) round trip later, if the employee is married, to transport their family. Transportation expenses will be limited to bus fare or payment for use of the employee’s personal car at the current Company car allowance rate.
    
2. Lodging and meals, if required, for the employee and their family while enroute to the new location.
    
3. After reaching new location, reimbursement will be limited to living expenses, including lodging and meals for the employee and members of the family until relocation or up to a maximum of fourteen (14) days, whichever is the shorter period of time.
    
4. Telephone, parking and gratuity expenses directly involved with the move.

3. Exceptions
   
   When extraordinary or unforeseen circumstances arise, exceptions may be allowed to the above policy but at the sole discretion of the Company.

1. Generally, the principle followed for instituting rearranged hours of work is based on the premise that no additional costs are incurred by the Company, and that the quality of work does not deteriorate.
    
2. Ten (10) hour days from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with one (1) hour off for lunch and the work week shall be any four (4) consecutive days, Monday through Saturday.
   
   In a week there is a Company-recognized holiday, the employees shall work the other four (4) days as four (4), eight (8) hour days, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with one (1) hour off for lunch.
    
3. Any paid days off, as stated in Company policies, will remain at eight (8) hours per day.

Article Changes

The following Articles in the Agreement are amended as follows during the period noted above.


ARTICLE 8 - HOURS OF WORK

8.2 Field Staff

Eight (8), ten (10) hour days shall constitute a regular two (2) week work period.

1. Non-Shift Employees
   
   Normal field hours for Transmission Technologists, and Transmission Crews shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with one (1) hour off for lunch. The regular workweek shall be any four (4) consecutive days, Monday through Saturday. In the week that there is a Company-recognized holiday, the other four (4) days shall be worked from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on an eight (8) hour day, with one (1) hour off for lunch. It is agreed that on forty-eight (48) hours notice, the Company may change the normal hours shown by one (1) hour or less.

ARTICLE 13 - VACATIONS

For the purposes of this Article, a day equals eight (8) hours.
 

ARTICLE 8 - HOURS OF WORK

8. 2 Field Staff

a. Non-Shift Employees - General

1. Eight (8) hours and thirty (30) minutes shall constitute a regular workday and five (5) days shall constitute a regular workweek. A Monday or Friday off per month shall be designated by the Company for each employee.
    
2. Normal field staff hours shall be from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with one (1) hour off for lunch. It is agreed that on forty-eight (48) hours notice the Company may change the normal starting time providing the regular hours occur between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. If mutually agreeable between the Company and an employee in a work unit, a one-half (1/2) hour lunch period may be granted.

ARTICLE 13 - VACATIONS

For the purposes of these Articles, a day equals eight (8) hours.