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WATCH SCHEDULES
Section 1. Basic watch schedules shall be negotiated
by the Parties at the local level. The basic watch schedule is defined as the
days of the week, hours of the day, rotation of shifts and change in regular
days off. The basic watch schedule must satisfy coverage requirements.
Assignments of individual employees to the watch schedule are not considered
changes to the basic watch schedule. Once posted, the basic watch schedule may
not be renegotiated except for substantial operational reasons, or unless
specifically requested by the Union. Permanent/rotating shifts and/or
permanent/rotating days off are options which may be considered.
Section 2. Procedures for employee assignment to the basic watch
schedule shall be negotiated by the Union and the Employer at the local level.
Section 3. The current basic watch schedule shall be projected and
posted at least one year in advance.
Section 4. Individual assignments to the watch schedule shall be posted
at least 60 days in advance, unless different terms are mutually agreed upon
by the Parties at the local level. This posting shall be accomplished as near
as practicable to the first day of each month.
Section 5. The Employer recognizes that changes of individual
assignments to the watch schedule are undesirable; therefore, the Employer
agrees to make every reasonable effort to avoid such changes. Changes with
less than seven days notice shall not be made for the purpose of avoiding
payment of overtime, holiday or other premium pay. When the Employer
determines that overtime will not be used, the Employer shall use the
following alternatives to the extent feasible prior to making changes to an
employee�s posted shift assignment with less than seven days notice (not
listed by priority or preference):
a. employees who have volunteered to change shifts;
b. personnel on permanent assignments that are required to maintain
currency;
c. line supervisors or staff;
d. personnel on detail assignments;
e. rescheduling of training.
f. employees who have volunteered to earn credit hours.
In the event the above alternatives are found not to be feasible, the
employee's posted shift assignment can be changed. To the extent allowed by
law, whenever an employee's shift is changed involuntarily, the affected
employee shall be paid all differentials or premium pay to which he/she
would otherwise have been entitled.
Section 6. Whenever possible, the Employer will
provide at least seven days advance notice of schedule changes for routine
training.
Section 7. The Employer shall approve the exchange of shifts and/or
days off by employees of equal qualifications, provided the exchange is
consistent with operational requirements and does not result in overtime or
violation of the basic work week.
Section 8. For the purposes of this Article, notice is defined as
verbal or written communication to the individual concerned and is considered
valid only after acknowledgment by the employee. Every reasonable effort shall
be made to provide written notification and obtain written acknowledgment.
Section 9. Variations of watch schedules and rotations shall be
permitted. The crew concept is not mandatory.
Section 10. Changes to individual assignments to the watch schedule
with less than seven days notice for the purpose of attending all-hands
meetings or crew briefings shall not be made unless agreed to by the Parties
at the local level.
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