Contract Between
Dumont B/E-Bergen
- and -
Dumont Cust/Maint Assn
* * *
07/01/2002 thru 06/30/2005


CategorySchool District
UnitCustodians

Contract Text Below
June 30, 2002














COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT

between

THE DUMONT BOARD OF EDUCATION

and

THE DUMONT CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION

July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005


















TABLE OF CONTENTS



ARTICLE PAGE

I Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II Negotiation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
III Applicable Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IV Reproduction of This Agreement . . . . . . . . . . 2
V Grievance Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
VI Employee Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
VII Management Rights Clause . . . . . . . . . . . 6
VIII Association Rights and Privileges . . . . . . . . . . 6
IX Sick Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
X Extended Sick Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
XI Personal Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
XII Bereavement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
XIII Leave of Absence (Without Pay) . . . . . . . . . . 9
XIV Military Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
XV Child-Bearing and Child-Bearing Leave . . . . . . . . . 10
XVI Performance of Legal Responsibilities . . . . . . . . 10
XVII Health Benefits and Insurance . . . . . . . . . 11
XVIII Agency Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
XIX Miscellaneous Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
XX Severance Pay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
XXI Work Schedule, Vacations and Holidays . . . . . . . . 12
XXII Withholding of Increments . . . . . . . . . . . 15
XXIII Layoffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
XXIV Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
XXV Salary Guide Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
XXVI Duration of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Salary Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
ARTICLE I

RECOGNITION

The Dumont Board of Education recognizes the Dumont Education Association as the exclusive bargaining representative for a consolidated unit of maintenance and custodial employees as specified below:

A. Included:

1. Custodial personnel

2. Maintenance personnel

3. Head custodians

B. Excluded:

Temporary, seasonal and part–time employees, other than regular part–time employees, working an average of less than twenty (20) hours a week, clerical aides, secretarial/clerical personnel, teaching staff members, supervisors, confidential employees within the meaning of the Act, cafeteria and transportation personnel, director of buildings and grounds, supervisor of custodial personnel, inventory control clerk, per diem employees, and all other employees not specifically included above.

ARTICLE II

NEGOTIATION PROCEDURE

A. All communications between the parties relating to this Agreement shall be made in writing, addressed and given to the President and negotiation chairperson of and for the Association and to the Superintendent of Schools on behalf of the Board.

B. The parties agree to enter into collective negotiation over a successor agreement in accordance with NJSA 34:13A–1 et seq. in a good–faith effort to reach agreement on all matters concerning the terms and conditions of employees’ employment. Such negotiations shall begin no later than December 1, or in accordance with the timetable set by PERC of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which this agreement expires. The starting date may be waived in writing by mutual agreement of both parties. Any agreement so negotiated shall apply to all employees, be reduced to writing, be signed by the Board and the Association, in accordance with Section E, below.

C. The Board and the Association shall exchange proposals on or before a mutually agreeable date. The proposal shall represent all the proposals of either party.

D. The execution of the Successor Agreement by the parties hereto shall take place after ratification of the provisions herein by the Association and by the Board at its next regular or special meeting following the ratification by the Association.





E. The parties agree that all negotiable items have been discussed during the negotiations leading to this agreement, and that no additional negotiations on this agreement will be conducted on any item, whether contained herein or not, except by mutual consent.

F. This agreement shall not be modified in whole or in part by the parties except by an instrument in writing duly executed by both parties.

ARTICLE III

APPLICABLE LAW

A. It is expressly understood that this contract shall be binding upon the Board of Education only to the extent permitted by Laws and Constitution of the State of New Jersey and of the United States of America and shall not impair the rights of any individual under Article I, Section 19 of the New Jersey State Constitution.

B. It is understood by all parties that the Board, on its own behalf and on behalf of the electors of the district, hereby retains and reserves unto itself, without limitation, all powers rights, authority, duties and responsibilities conferred upon and vested in it by law and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and of the United States.

ARTICLE IV

REPRODUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT
The cost of producing one hundred copies of this Agreement shall be equally divided between the Board and the Association.
ARTICLE V

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

A. Definition of a Grievance:

A grievance is a claim by an employee or the Association based upon a claimed loss, injury or inconvenience as the result of an alleged violation, misinterpretation, or inequitable application of any existing Board policy, provision of this Agreement, or administrative decision affecting an employee’s terms and conditions of employment.

B. Purpose:

The purpose of this procedure is to secure, at the lowest possible level, equitable solutions to the problems which may, from time to time, arise affecting the welfare or working conditions of employees. Both parties agree that these proceedings shall be kept informal and confidential.

C. Procedure:

1. Since it is important that grievances be processed as rapidly as possible, the number of days indicated at each level should be considered as maximum and every effort should be made to expedite the process. The time limits specified may be extended by mutual agreement in writing. The term “days” in this procedure shall mean days on which the school business office is open unless otherwise specified.
2. In the event a grievance is filed on or after June 1, which, if left unresolved until the beginning of the following school year could result in irreparable harm to a party–in–interest, the time limits set forth here shall be reduced so that the grievance procedure may be exhausted prior to the end of the school year, or as soon thereafter as is practicable.

3. Level One

Any employee of the Association who has a grievance shall first discuss it with his/her principal or immediate supervisor in an attempt to resolve the matter informally at that level. Exception to this requirement may be initiated by the Association after a grievance has been filed in writing at Level Two, or at Level Three in the case of a group grievance, by submitting written notice to the Superintendent of the Association’s intent to delay further processing of the grievance until after the school year begins. The Association’s request to suspend the time limits over the summer shall be granted.

4. Level Two

If as a result of the discussion at Level One the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the employee or Association within five (5) days after presentation of the grievance at Level One, he/she shall set forth his/her grievance, in writing, to the principal specifying: the alleged violation, misinterpretation, or inequitable application, the date of occurrence, the relief sought. Copies shall be sent to the Superintendent and the Association. The principal shall communicate his/her decision to the employee, Superintendent of Schools, and the Association, in writing, within five (5) days of receipt of the written grievance.

5. Level Three

The employee or Association may, within five (5) days after receiving the principal’s decision, appeal the principal’s decision to the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee. The appeal to the Superintendent must be made in writing and must set forth the grounds upon which the grievance is based. The Superintendent shall attempt to resolve the matter as quickly as possible, but within a period not to exceed five (5) days after receiving the appeal. The Superintendent shall communicate his/her decision in writing, along with supporting reasons, to the employee, the principal and the Association.

6. Level Four

If the grievance is not settled to the satisfaction of the employee after reaching the Superintendent, the matter may be referred to the Association for consideration. This referral for consideration must be made within five (5) days. The Association’s grievance committee shall make a determination as soon as possible, but within a period not to exceed five (5) days after referral, notifying the employee and the Superintendent in writing of that determination.

If the Association determines that the grievance has, or may have merit, it shall recommend that the grievance be heard by the Board of Education. If the Association determines that the grievance is without merit, the employee shall retain the right to appeal, in writing, to the Board of Education. The request, in either case, shall be submitted, in writing, within five (5) days through the Superintendent of Schools, who shall attach all related papers and forward the request to the Board of Education.



The Board of Education shall review the grievance and may, at its option, hold a hearing if a hearing has been requested. The Board shall render a decision, in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the grievance.

7. Level Five
If the Association is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance by the Board, the Association, may within ten (10) days after receiving the decision from the Board, submit the grievance to arbitration by requesting a list of arbitrators from the American Arbitration Association. The parties shall then be bound by the rules and procedures of the AAA. The Superintendent shall receive a copy of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrator so selected shall confer with representatives of the Board and the Association and hold hearings promptly. The arbitrator’s decision shall be in writing and shall set forth the findings of fact, reasoning and conclusions for the issues submitted. The arbitrator shall be without power or authority to make a decision which violates the terms of this agreement. The arbitrator shall be without power to add to, delete from, or modify this agreement. He/she shall issue his/her decision no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the close of the hearings, or, if oral hearings have been waived, then from the date the final statement and proofs are submitted. The decision shall be submitted to the Board, the Association and the aggrieved, and shall be binding with respect to grievances involving the alleged violation, interpretation or inequitable application of the expressed provisions of the contract, and shall be advisory with respect to all other matters.

The cost for services of the arbitrator, including per diem expenses, if any, and actual and necessary travel and subsistence expenses, shall be borne equally by the Board and the Association.

8. Failure to File

A grievance to be considered under this procedure must be initiated within ten (10) calendar days of this occurrence or impact on the individual. Failure to file or advance a grievance within a specified time limit shall constitute a waiver of the grievance. Failure to respond to a grievance within the specified time limits shall permit the aggrieved to proceed to the next level.

D. Rights to Employee to Representation

With respect to personal grievances, he/she shall be assured freedom from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal in presenting his/her appeal. The employee shall have the right to present his/her own appeal or designate representatives of the Association or another person of his/her own choosing to appear with him/her or for him/her at any step in his/her appeal. When an individual is not represented by the Association, the Association shall have the right to be present and informed at all stages of the grievance procedure.


E. Miscellaneous

1. Decisions rendered at Levels Two, Three and Four of the grievance procedure shall be in writing, setting forth the decision and the reasons for the decision.

2. All documents, communications and records dealing with the processing of a grievance shall be filed separately from the personnel files of the participants.
3. Forms for filing grievances, serving notices, taking appeals, making reports and recommendations and other necessary documents shall be prepared jointly by the Superintendent and the Association, and given appropriate distribution by both parties so as to facilitate operation of the grievance procedure.

4. No employee shall have the right to refuse to follow an administrative directive or a Board policy on the grounds that he/she has instituted a grievance.

5. All employees including the grievant shall continue under the direction of the Superintendent and administrator regardless of the pendency of any grievance until such grievance is properly determined.

6. Any grievance supported by the Association and not resolved to the satisfaction of the employee, after review by the Board, may, at the written request of the Association, be submitted to arbitration as specified in Section C. 7. of this article, except in the case of a grievance involving any of the following points:

a. A method of review is prescribed by law or state board rule having the force and effect of law, or any regulation of the State Commissioner of Education, or any matter which, according to law, is either beyond the scope of Board authority or limited to action of the Board alone

b. A complaint of a non–tenured employee that arises by reason of his/her not being re–employed

c. A complaint by any employee occasioned by appointment to, retention in, or lack of retention in any position for which tenure is either not possible or not required

7. Grievances affecting employees in more than one building shall be initiated at the Superintendent’s level.

ARTICLE VI

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

A. Pursuant to NJSA 34:13A–1 et. seq., the Board of Education hereby agrees that every employee of the Board shall have the right to organize, join and engage in collective negotiations and other concerted and lawful activities for mutual aid and protection. As a duly elected body exercising governmental power under color of law of the State of New Jersey, the Board of Education undertakes and agrees that it will not discriminate against any employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment by reason of his/her membership in the Association, and his/her participation in any legal activities of his/her association, of his/her institution of any grievance with respect to any terms or conditions of employment.

B. Employees shall not be disciplined, reprimanded or not renewed without just cause.

C. Violations of Board policy, rules or regulations shall be cause for disciplinary action as outlined below. Employees shall have the right to dispute any charge or alleged violation and may appeal such action through the grievance procedure, provided under this contract. There shall be three (3) separate penalties applied when it is necessary to inflict discipline on any of the employees of the Board. Prior to the administering of any discipline there shall be a meeting between the person administering the discipline, the employee(s) being disciplined, and the employee(s) union representative.
1. A written reprimand to be placed in the employee’s personnel file to be applied in the case of minor offenses. The Board shall furnish the employee and the Association with a copy of the reprimand. The employee shall be required to sign the file copy for the sole purpose of acknowledging that he/she has received his/her copy.

2. Suspension from work without pay for periods varying from one (1) to fifteen (15) days, according to the gravity of the offense and the previous record of the employee concerned to be applied in cases of a first serious offense or continued or repeated minor ones.

3. Discharge.

D. Appeals from disciplinary action shall be made in accordance with the grievance procedure.

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT RIGHTS CLAUSE

The Board reserves to itself sole jurisdiction and authority over matters of policy and retains the right, subject only to the limitations imposed by the language of this agreement, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations to:

A. direct employees of the school district,

B. hire, promote, transfer, assign, and retain employees in positions in the school district, and to suspend, demote, discharge, or take other disciplinary action against employees,

C. relieve employees from duty because of lack of work or for other legitimate reasons,

D. maintain efficiency of the school district operations entrusted to them,

E. determine the methods, means and personnel by which such operations are to be conducted, and,

F. take whatever actions may be necessary to carry out the mission of the school district in situations of emergency.

It is understood by all parties to this agreement that, under the rulings of the courts of New Jersey and the State Commissioner of Education, the Board of Education is forbidden to waive any rights or powers granted by law.

ARTICLE VIII

ASSOCIATION RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

Duly authorized representatives of this Association may be given permission to transact official Association business on school property at such time and place as the administration deems reasonable so as not to interfere with or interrupt normal school operations.

In the use of buildings by the Association, the Board of Education may make a reasonable charge when special custodial service is required.

The Association may use school equipment when not otherwise in use in accordance with Board policy. Supplies in connection with such equipment use will be furnished by the Association.
ARTICLE IX

SICK LEAVE

A. Definition of Sick Leave — 18A:30–1

“Sick leave is hereby defined to mean the absence from his or her post of duty of any person because of personal disability due to illness or because he/she has been excluded from school by the school district’s medical authorities on account of contagious disease or of being quarantined for such a disease in his/her immediate household.”

B. Absence of all full–time employees shall be governed by state law and the following detailed provisions:

1. Sick leave with pay shall be granted to all full–time employees of the Board of Education in accordance as follows: One (1) day per month of employment during each school year. All days for the year will be credited on the first day of employment each year.

2. For absences of three (3) days or less, the employee must file with the building principal or immediate superior assigned, a signed statement showing dates and reason for absence immediately upon his/her return to employment.

3. Absences beyond a three– (3) day period require a doctor’s certificate. These certificates are to be attached to the sick leave form and forwarded to the office of the Superintendent.

4. If any employee requires in any school year less than the specified number of days of sick leave with pay allowed, all days of such minimum sick leave not utilized shall be accumulative to be used for additional sick leave in subsequent years. (18A:30–3)

5. Whenever an employee is absent from his/her post of duty as a result of a personal injury caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of his/her employment, the Board of Education shall pay to such employee the full salary wages for the period of such absence for up to one (1) calendar year without having such absence charged to the annual sick leave or the accumulated sick leave. (18A:30–2.1)

6. In cases where full salary is paid by the Board of Education during periods of absence covered by Worker’s Compensation, the employee shall endorse the Worker’s Compensation checks to the Board of Education. (18A:30–2.1)

7. In cases where a custodian must leave work during the regular hours for personal illness or other emergency, the following rules shall apply. Time begins at the start of each employee’s normal work day.

a. Prior to two (2) full hours, deduction of a full work day in either pay or time.

b. More than two (2) hours, but less than four (4) hours, deduction of one–half (1_2) day in either pay or time

c. Over four (4) hours, no loss of pay or time




8. For absences where no provision for payment has been made, salary will be deducted as follows:

a. Ten– (10) month employees — daily rate of 1_200th of yearly salary
b. Twelve– (12) month employees — daily rate of 1_260th of yearly salary
ARTICLE X

EXTENDED SICK LEAVE

Prolonged Absence Beyond Sick Leave Period — 18A:30–6

ARTICLE XI

PERSONAL LEAVE
A. In an effort to prevent undue hardship to employees who must be absent from school to attend to urgent personal business, three (3) days of personal leave without deduction in salary will be provided for each year of regular employment. Such leave shall not be cumulative.

B. The intent of the Board of Education is that these days be used for urgent personal business which cannot be attended to on a day or time other than the employee workday.

C. Requests for leaves of this nature shall be submitted to the principal or immediate supervisor for his/her recommendation forty–eight (48) hours in advance. Emergency requests will be submitted via the substitute call service and the employee shall be required to submit the reason for the emergency request on the first day that he/she returns to work.

D. Reasons for leave in this category are illness in the family, religious holidays, death of friends, graduation of members of the immediate family, house closing or moving, and any undue hardship caused by circumstances beyond the control of the employee.

E. The reason for the personal leave day must be stated, and it is understood that leave shall not be taken prior to or following a school holiday, with the following exceptions:

1. In extenuating situations, a leave may be granted prior to or following a school holiday. The Superintendent may, in his/her discretionary power, grant personal leave. However, a refusal to grant leave under this exception is not grievable.

2. In the application for a personal leave day request prior to or after a school holiday period, said request is to go directly from the employee to the Superintendent.

F. Personal leave is not to be used as an extension of vacation time.

G. Granting of days of leave shall be in accordance with the operational needs of the school system as defined by the Superintendent of Schools.

H. Any undue hardships caused by circumstances beyond the control of the employee, and not covered in this Article, may be reviewed by Superintendent upon request of the employee. The Superintendent may, if he/she deems it necessary, grant an adjustment of leave beyond the terms of this Article.

ARTICLE XII

BEREAVEMENT

Five (5) days’ leave with pay are allowed for death in the immediate family. For purposes of definition regarding absence, the immediate family includes: spouse, child and step–child, parent and step–parent, sibling and step–sibling, or relative by marriage in the same degree of relationship, except as noted below.

Three (3) days’ leave with pay are allowed for death of grandparent, grandchild, brother/sister–in–law, or other relative living in the employee’s household.

One (1) day’s leave with pay is allowed for reason of death of a relative, other than those specified above.

ARTICLE XIII

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (Without Pay)
A leave of absence without pay of up to one (1) school year may be granted by the Board of Education for good reason upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.
ARTICLE XIV

MILITARY LEAVE

A. Request For Leave
Any employee of the Dumont Public Schools who may be conscripted into the defense forces of the United States for service or training shall make application for military leave.

B. Reinstatement
The employee shall be reinstated to a position in the school system with full credit, including the annual increment, in accordance with law, under the salary schedule, upon meeting the following conditions:

1. That he/she is physically and mentally capable of performing the duties of his/her former position.

2. That he/she make written application for reinstatement at least thirty (30) days prior to requested date of re–employment, and that such request is no later than ninety (90) days following his/her date of separation or discharge from active military service.

3. That he/she furnished proof of an honorable discharge or separation from military service.

C. Reserve Military Training

Any permanent employee shall be granted leave, up to a maximum of two (2) weeks per year, for reserve military training. Such leave shall not be counted against accumulated vacation time. An employee on reserve training leave shall be paid by the school district at his/her regular rate of the normal work week, less such military pay allowances except travel allowance, which he/she shall receive for such training. The employee shall provide the office of the business administrator with evidence of the amount of compensation received for summer training so that the proper adjustment can be made.
ARTICLE XV

CHILD–BEARING AND CHILD–REARING LEAVE

A. During the period of actual disability related to pregnancy, employees may, at their option, utilize regular sick leave. The Board may require, as a condition of the employee’s return to services at the conclusion of the period of disability, production of a certificate from a physician certifying that the employee is medically able to resume her duties.

B. The Board shall grant child–rearing leave of absence without pay immediately following the conclusion of sick leave associated with childbirth or commencing on a mutually agreeable date following the birth of the child, to any employee upon request, in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations and state agency decisions, for the balance of the school year in which the leave is requested. In addition, employees shall, upon written request, be granted a leave of absence without pay for child–rearing purposes for one (1) full year (July through June) following the year in which the initial child–rearing leave occurs. In no event shall any such leave be extended beyond the end of the contract year in which the leave is requested to commence for non–tenured employees, unless the Board otherwise elects.

C. In the event that an employee’s pregnancy terminated prior to the expiration of the leave which has been granted, or prior to the inception of the leave which may have been requested, said employee may apply for early reinstatement by filing a written request therefor with the Superintendent, accompanied by a physician’s certification that she is medically able to resume, or continue to perform her duties. The Board shall grant such a request if it has not contractually obligated itself to employ a replacement for the employee in question during the period for which leave has been originally requested or granted, and if such request can be fulfilled without substantially interfering with the effective administration of the education program to which the employee in question was assigned and seeks to be reinstated. The Board shall not contractually obligate itself for such a replacement if the leave requested is for a period of sixty (60) days or less.

D. Employees adopting a child shall receive similar leave which shall commence upon receiving de facto custody of said child, or earlier, if required for adoption. The Board reserves the right to set the term of the leave, within reasonable limits, in the best interests of the school.

ARTICLE XVI

PERFORMANCE OF LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Leave for performance of a civic duty in serving on a petit or grand jury when required by law shall be granted providing a letter confirming the purpose of such leave from a sheriff, court, or United States attorney, depending upon jurisdiction, is filed with the Superintendent of Schools. An amount equal to the income derived from jury service will be deducted from the staff member’s base salary.

Leave for acquiescing to a court or other valid subpoena, may be allowed without loss of pay, dependent on circumstances and at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools.





ARTICLE XVII

HEALTH BENEFITS AND INSURANCE

A. The group insurance benefits will be identical to the group insurance benefits negotiated by the district’s teachers.

B. The Board shall reimburse an employee for the reasonable cost of any clothing or other property being worn that is damaged or destroyed as a result of an assault on an employee while an employee was acting in the discharge of his/her duties.

ARTICLE XVIII

AGENCY SHOP

A. If an employee does not become a member of the Association during any membership year (i.e., from September 1 to the following August 31) which is covered in whole or in part by this Agreement, said employee will be required to pay a representation fee to the Association for that membership year to offset the costs of services rendered by the Association as majority representative. The representation fee to be paid by nonmembers will be equal to the maximum allowed by law.

B. The Board agrees to deduct from the salary of any employee who is not a member of the Association for the current membership year, the full amount of the representation fee set forth in Section 1. above. The Board agrees to deduct the representation fee in equal installments, as nearly as possible, from the paychecks paid to each employee during the remainder of the membership year in question. The deductions will begin sixty (60) days after the employee begins his/her employment in a bargaining unit position.

C. Termination of Employment

If an employee who is required to pay a representation fee terminates his/her employment with the Board before the Association has received the full amount of the representation fee to which it is entitled under this Article, the Board will deduct the unpaid portion of the fee from the last paycheck paid to said employee during the membership year in question and promptly forward same to the Association.

D. Indemnification

The Association will indemnify and hold harmless the Board of all legal costs, fees and other costs arising from any action brought by an employee regarding the agency fee provision. Said indemnification is predicated on the Board complying with the contractual provisions and applicable law.



ARTICLE XIX

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

If any provisions of this Agreement or any application of this Agreement to any employee or group of employees is held to be contrary to law, then such provision or application shall not be deemed valid and subsisting, except to the extent permitted by law, but all other provisions or applications shall continue in force and effect.

ARTICLE XX

SEVERANCE PAY

A. Employees who retire and qualify for immediate PERS pension benefits shall be eligible for severance pay, provided that the employee has spent a minimum of ten (10) years in the school district.

B. Severance pay shall be determined by multiplying the number of unused sick and personal leave days accumulated by the employee at the time of retirement times Thirty–seven Dollars and fifty cents ($37.50). Accumulated sick leave days shall be based on the employee’s total time of employment in the district. The accumulation of unused personal days shall begin with days earned during the 1983–84 school year. Effective July 1, 2003 the multiplier shall increase to Forty–three Dollars ($43).

C. Severance paychecks shall be issued not later than July 15th of the school year following the school year in which the employee retires.

D. In the event that an employee retires and dies prior to receipt of the severance paycheck, the money shall be paid to the employee’s estate.

ARTICLE XXI

WORK SCHEDULE, VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS

A. Work Year

1. Twelve– (12) month employees:

The work year is from July 1 through June 30.
2. Ten– (10) month employees:
The work year is from September 1 through June 30.

B. Work Week

1. The work week for custodial employees, excluding head custodians, shall consist of five (5) eight– (8) hour work shifts a week totaling forty (40) hours. Hours worked in excess of eight (8) per day or forty (40) per week shall be paid at the overtime rate.

2. Excess hours (overtime) shall be paid when more than eight (8) hours are worked in a single twenty–four– (24) hour period.

Custodians shall receive overtime pay in this manner: time and one–half for Saturdays and double time for Sundays and holidays.

The head custodians shall be paid for building checks in this manner: double time for the first hour, and time and one–half for any additional time worked as part of the building check time.

Employees called back to work after their regular working hours shall be guaranteed two (2) hours overtime pay.

3. The normal work week shall be defined as starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and terminating 11:59 p.m. Saturday. The hourly rate shall be computed by dividing the annual salary by 2080.

C. Vacations

1. Vacation Allotment — Vacation is an earned benefit based on continuous years of service as follows:

Less than one (1) year—one (1) day per month worked (maximum of ten) with employment commencing prior to February 1

After one (1) year through the fifth (5th) year—two (2) weeks

Beginning with the sixth (6th) through the tenth (10th) year—three (3) weeks

The vacation period will be three (3) weeks plus one (1) additional day for each year beyond the tenth (10th) year up to a maximum of four (4) weeks to be reached at the fifteenth (15th) year of employment.

After the fifteenth (15th) year—four (4) weeks vacation

1.a. The following language shall apply for employees hired on or after July 1, 2002.
Less than one (1) year—one (1) day per month worked (maximum of ten) with employment commencing prior to February 1.

After one (1) year through the fifth (5th) year—two (2) weeks.

After completion of year 6 through the tenth (10th) year—three (3) weeks.


The vacation period will be three (3) weeks plus one (1) additional day for each year beyond the tenth (10th) year up to a maximum of four (4) weeks to be reached at the fifteenth (15th) year of employment.

2. Vacation will be taken during July and August, or when school is not in session during recess periods. Exceptions to this policy may be made with consent of the Business Administrator and the consent of the Superintendent of Schools.

3. If a holiday falls during an employee’s vacation period, the employee shall have an extra day off.

4. Vacation schedules should be arranged with the Director of Buildings and Grounds and the Business Administrator and forwarded to the office of the Superintendent of Schools, for approval, no later than May 1.

5. Vacation days cannot be accrued beyond June 30 following the work year in which they were earned.

D. Holidays

1. All twelve–month employees are entitled to thirteen (13) paid holidays per year (July 1—June 30). The following holidays shall be included on the list of paid holidays:

Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day

2. The remaining six (6) holidays shall be set forth in the school calendar and distributed to the employees not later than May 31st of each school year. The holidays set forth in the school calendar may be modified, but may not be reduced in number, due to emergency school closings.

3. The Superintendent may recommend additional holidays to the Board.

4. In the event a holiday listed above falls on a Saturday or Sunday, an additional day will be designated in lieu thereof by the Superintendent.

E. Snow Days

In the event of a snow emergency, the work day for employees called in for snow removal shall end at the conclusion of snow removal duties. The Director of Buildings and Grounds shall determine that all snow has been properly removed before releasing employees for the day.

Employees directed by the Director of Buildings and Grounds, or his designee, to do additional duties after snow removal shall be compensated at a rate of 1 1_2 times their hourly salary.





















ARTICLE XXII

WITHHOLDING OF INCREMENTS

It shall be clearly understood by all custodial employees that negotiated salary schedules or individual contracts do not guarantee an automatic salary increase. The Board reserves the right to withhold for inefficiency or good cause, any and all employment adjustment and merit increments. In the event the Board wishes to exercise such a right, it does hereby agree to follow this procedure.

1. Whenever the Superintendent of Schools decides to submit a recommendation to the Board to withhold a salary increment, the employee to be so deprived shall be put on notice of this recommendation.

2. Arrangements shall be made to afford said employee a reasonable opportunity to speak in his/her own behalf before the Board. Such a meeting before the Board shall not constitute a plenary hearing.

3. The Board will not take necessary formal action until a date subsequent to the above meeting.

4. If the resultant action of the Board is to withhold an increment, it shall, within ten (10) days, give written notice of such action, together with the reasons therefore, to the employees concerned.


ARTICLE XXIII

LAYOFFS

In the event of a layoff, employees shall be laid off on the basis of qualification and seniority within their job classification. When qualifications are equal, as determined by the employee’s written evaluations and disciplinary record, seniority shall prevail. An employee who has worked in more than one job classification shall have seniority in all prior job classifications equal to the time worked in the prior classifications plus the time worked in all lower–paid classifications. Job classifications shall be those listed in the salary guide.


ARTICLE XXIV

COMPENSATION

A. Salary guides are set forth below.

B. February 1 shall be the cutoff date for a full increase in salary. When contract time designates less than a complete six (6) months of work, the salary increase will be halved.


C. Clothing Allowances

The Board of Education shall furnish the following:

1. Two Hundred Twenty–five Dollars ($225) per year per custodian and Two Hundred Seventy–five Dollars ($275) per year per maintenance employee for the purchase of a minimum of two (2) uniforms per year plus work shoes or work jackets. The Board will designate the specifications for and the suppliers of all clothing. Employees who report for duty out of uniform will be required to leave the job and may only return to work in a proper uniform. The employee will be docked for two (2) times the amount of time the employee is off the job to obtain a proper uniform. Repeated failure to report for duty in a proper uniform will lead to more severe disciplinary penalties. Effective July 1, 2004, the clothing allowance for custodial employees shall increase to Two Hundred Fifty ($250) and Three Hundred ($300) for maintenance employees.

2. Foul Weather Gear:

Two (2) sets each for Lincoln and Grant Schools. Three (3) sets each for Honiss, Selzer, High School and grounds maintenance.


D. The Board shall pay the cost of the Black Seal License fee for all custodial and maintenance
employees.

E. Attendance Incentive

An employee shall receive two (2) “Incentive Days” off for each one–(1) year period, July 1
to June 30, in which the employee attains perfect attendance. Bereavement days and
personal days taken will not disqualify an employee from attaining perfect attendance. The
incentive days cannot be saved and must be used during the following July or August.

F. Licenses (excluding Black Seal)

1. The Board shall have the sole discretion to determine the type and number of
licenses or certifications.

2. The Board will pay for the cost of the school or training if the Board requires an employee to obtain a license or certification.

3. The Board will pay the cost of license and certification renewals.

4. Payment for licenses and certifications will not be arbitrarily withheld or removed.

5. Employees shall receive an annual stipend of Two Hundred Fifty ($250) Dollars for holding Board approved licenses or certifications

6. The list of required licenses and certifications will be determined by the Board, the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds and the Union.



ARTICLE XXV

SALARY GUIDE RULES

A. No individual shall be advanced in salary, classification or category unless his/her services have been reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools with his/her supervisor and the Superintendent shall have recommended such advancement to the Board of Education for approval.

B. The withholding of any advance in salary for any given year shall not create an obligation to restore such advancement.

C. Personnel may move from one position title to another, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and approval of the Board of Education, with a ninety– (90) day probationary period. During this probationary period no salary increase, if forthcoming, shall be paid until the ninety–first (91st) day in the new position, at which time the increase shall be retroactive to the first day in the new position.

D. February 1st shall be the cutoff date for a full increase in salary. When contract time designates less than a complete six (6) months of work, the salary increase will be halved.

E. Personnel contracted for less than a twelve– (12) month work year, will have their salaries pro–rated in accordance with their work assigned calendar, their classification, or category of employment.

F. A candidate for employment shall negotiate his/her starting salary with the Board of Education. The bargaining unit shall negotiate subsequent salary agreements for said employee.

This same procedure shall be in effect for all custodial/maintenance employees who move from one classification to another.

G. Assignment of Category:

1. Classification has no reference to the individual’s personal ability or qualification, but is intended to group together positions which are basically similar in duties and responsibilities.

2. Classification and category placement will be determined by the Superintendent of Schools, subject to the approval of the Board of Education.



ARTICLE XXVI

DURATION OF AGREEMENT



This Agreement shall be effective as of July 1, 2002 and shall continue in effect until June 30, 2005. This Agreement shall not be extended orally, and it is expressly understood that it shall expire on the date indicated.




DUMONT CUSTODIAL AND DUMONT BOARD OF
MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION EDUCATION




President President



Negotiating Chairperson Negotiating Chairperson



Date:




CUSTODIAL SALARY GUIDE

2002 – 2003



Lead Lead Lead Head Head Head
Custodian Lincoln Selzer HS Grant Selzer HS Maintenance

1 32,761 33,186 33,311 33,536 33,536 33,686 34,186 38,861
2 33,061 33,486 33,611 33,836 33,836 33,986 34,486 38,986
3 33,361 33,786 33,911 34,136 34,136 34,286 34,786 39,111
4 33,661 34,086 34,211 34,436 34,436 34,586 35,086 39,236
5 33,961 34,386 34,511 34,736 34,736 34,886 35,386 39,361
6 34,261 34,686 34,811 35,036 35,036 35,186 35,686 39,486
7 34,561 34,986 35,111 35,336 35,336 35,486 35,986 39,611
8 34,861 35,286 35,411 35,636 35,636 35,786 36,286 39,736
9 35,161 35,586 35,711 35,936 35,936 36,086 36,586 39,861





Custodians OFF GUIDE upon satisfactory evaluation will receive an increase of $1,367 for the 2002 – 2003 school year.

Ten–month employees’ salary pro–rated.











CUSTODIAL SALARY GUIDE

2003 – 2004



Lead Lead Lead Head Head Head
Custodian Lincoln Selzer HS Grant Selzer HS Maintenance

1 33,968 34,393 34,518 34,743 34,743 34,893 35,393 40,243
2 34,268 34,693 34,818 35,043 35,043 35,193 35,693 40,368
3 34,568 34,993 35,118 35,343 35,343 35,493 35,993 40,493
4 34,868 35,293 35,418 35,643 35,643 35,793 36,293 40,618
5 35,168 35,593 35,718 35,943 35,943 36,093 36,593 40,743
6 35,468 35,893 36,018 36,243 36,243 36,393 36,893 40,868
7 35,768 36,193 36,318 36,543 36,543 36,693 37,193 40,993
8 36,068 36,493 36,618 36,843 36,843 36,993 37,493 41,118
9 36,368 36,793 36,918 37,143 37,143 37,293 37,793 41,243





Custodians OFF GUIDE upon satisfactory evaluation will receive an increase of $1,507 for the 2003 – 2004 school year.

Ten–month employees’ salary pro–rated.












CUSTODIAL SALARY GUIDE

2004 – 2005



Lead Lead Lead Head Head Head
Custodian Lincoln Selzer HS Grant Selzer HS Maintenance

1 35,242 35,667 35,785 36,010 36,010 36,160 36,660 41,685
2 35,542 35,967 36,085 36,310 36,310 36,460 37,160 41,810
3 35,842 36,267 36,385 36,610 36,610 36,760 37,460 41,935
4 36,142 36,567 36,685 36,910 36,910 37,060 37,760 42,060
5 36,442 36,867 36,985 37,210 37,210 37,360 38,060 42,185
6 36,742 37,167 37,285 37,510 37,510 37,660 38,360 42,310
7 37,042 37,467 37,585 37,810 37,810 37,960 38,660 42,435
8 37,342 37,767 37,885 38,110 38,110 38,260 38,960 42,560
9 37,642 38,067 38,185 38,410 38,410 38,560 39,260 42,685





Custodians OFF GUIDE upon satisfactory evaluation will receive an increase of $1,567 for the 2004 – 2005 school year.

Ten–month employees’ salary pro–rated.





Dumont BE and Dumont Cust Maint Assn 2002.pdf