Contract Between
Sussex Cty-Sussex
- and -
CWA Loc 1032
* * *
01/01/2005 thru 12/31/2007


CategoryCounty
UnitBlue Collar, Other, White Collar

Contract Text Below
AGREEMENT

BETWEEN THE

BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS
OF THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX

AND

COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO
LOCAL 1032














2005-2007



INDEX

Article Title Page

7 Adherence to N.J. Dept. of Personnel Rules 8
23 Bereavement Leave 22
31 Breaks 27
41 Clothing Allowance 34
40 Committees 33
1 Definitions 1
3 Dues Check Off 3
44 Duration of Agreement 36
9 Economy Layoffs 8
34 Grievances 29
19 Holidays 16
14 Hours of Work 10
24 Jury Duty 22
29 Leaves of Absence 25
11 Legality 9
42 Licenses 35
35 Longevity 31
5 Management 5
26 Meal Allowance 23
17 Medical Benefits 14
27 Mileage 24
13 Negotiation Procedure 10
8 No Strikes 8
6 Non-discrimination and Due Process 7
Article Title Page

15 Overtime 10
32 Part-time Employees 27
16 Pay Periods 13
22 Personal Leave 22
39 Personnel Files 33
Preamble 1
33 Promotions/Out-of-Title Pay 27
12 Quarterly Labor/Management Meetings 10
2 Recognition and Scope of Agreement 2
10 Safety 9
Salary Schedules Schedule A
37 Salary Ranges 32
36 Shift Differential/Special Compensation 31
21 Sick Leave 20
25 Snow Days 23
18 State Temporary Disability Insurance 17
43 Training and Career Development 35
28 Tuition Reimbursement 24
4 Union Rights and Privileges 4
20 Vacations 19
38 Wages 32
30 Workers’ Compensation Leave 26





1



PREAMBLE

THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into this 11th day of May, 2005, by and between the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Sussex, a County Government of the State of New Jersey, (hereinafter referred to as the “County”) and the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO (hereinafter referred to as the “Union”) is the understanding between the County and the Union on all negotiable issues and as such, will serve to promote and maintain a harmonious relationship between the County and those of its employees represented by the Union and subject to this Agreement in order that more efficient and progressive public service be rendered.

The County and the Union agree that the working environment should be characterized by mutual respect for the common dignity to which all individuals are entitled.


ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS

"Appointing Authority"—the County Administrator for all County Departments, except for any other appointee specifically designated by New Jersey Statutes or by Court Order and recognized by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

"Certification"—the list issued by the State Department of Personnel setting forth the people who are eligible for regular appointment effective the date of certification or any reasonable date thereafter.

"Classified Service"—all employees classified by the New Jersey Department of Personnel.

"Competitive Positions"—positions for which State Department of Personnel requires that an exam be taken by an employee to obtain permanent status.

"Department Administrator—the highest level of supervision or coordination within the designated department recognized as the Administrator of that department by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“Division Head”—the highest level of supervision or coordination within the designated division recognized as the Division Head of that division by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

"Interim Employee" - an employee who serves in a position/title where a permanent employee is on a leave of absence or is on indefinite suspension or has been removed or demoted for disciplinary reasons and is awaiting final administrative action by the N.J. Department of Personnel (Civil Service) and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:4-1.6.

"Negotiating Unit"—the organization recognized by the County as the labor representative for that group of employees, i.e., the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO.

"Non-competitive Positions"—positions for which the State Department of Personnel does not require that an exam be taken for an employee to obtain permanent status. Permanent status will be granted in accordance with State Department of Personnel Rules.

“Office of Employee Services”—the central employee services office for the County of Sussex.

"Permanent Employee"—an employee who has been appointed by the appointing authority from a State Department of Personnel certification list or who is appointed permanently in the non-competitive labor division or unclassified employees appointed in accordance with laws, rules and regulations, whether full-time or part-time and completed the Working Test Period.

"Provisional Employee"—an employee in the career service (classified) who has acquired the tenure and rights resulting from regular appointment and successful completion of the Working Test Period in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:1-1.3.

"Temporary Employee"—an employee appointed for a maximum of six (6) months in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:4-1.7 or an emergency appointment not to exceed 30 days in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A-4-1.8 or an interim appointment to replace a permanent employee who is absent in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:4-1.6. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 4:4-1.7, a temporary appointee shall meet the minimum qualifications for the title.

"Unclassified Service”—employees elected or described by New Jersey Statutes. Example: Surrogate, Prosecutor, Secretary to Department Head, etc. Unclassified employees serve a fixed term set by Resolution or by elections of the people or serve in titles not classified by the New Jersey Department of Personnel.

"Working Test Period"—the working test period shall not include any time served by an employee under provisional, temporary, interim or emergency appointment. The working test period shall begin on the date of permanent appointment and extend over a period of three months for non-law enforcement titles and a period of twelve months for law enforcement positions (i.e., Juvenile Detention Officers) in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:45.2.


ARTICLE 2 - RECOGNITION AND SCOPE OF AGREEMENT

Section 1: The County recognizes the Union as the sole and exclusive representative for the collective negotiations with respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of work, and other conditions of employment of the employees in the negotiating unit.







Section 2: The appropriate negotiations unit shall be:

Included: All full-time and regularly employed part-time employees employed by the Sussex County Board of Freeholders.

Excluded: All unclassified employees, managerial executives, confidential employees, police employees, division directors, and employees included in other collective negotiations units.

Section 3: Certain provisions of this Agreement specifically deal with working conditions affecting departments having a 24-hour, 7-day operational work week. It is the intention of the parties that wherever specific provisions affecting these departments are included in this Agreement, said specific provision shall control over a general provision in the Agreement.


ARTICLE 3 - DUES CHECK-OFF

Section 1: The County agrees to deduct Union dues from each employee who has properly authorized such deductions in writing, from the first two paychecks each month. The County further agrees to forward said deductions, along with an alphabetized list of employees for whom a deduction has been made, showing the amount deducted, to the Union within fifteen (15) days after. Dues deduction for any employee in this negotiating unit shall be limited to the Union.

Section 2: If, during the life of this Agreement, there shall be any change in the rate of membership dues, the Union shall notify the County in writing thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such change.

Section 3: A copy of the Board of Freeholders regular public meeting agenda will be available to the Union so that the Union will be able to keep their records up-to-date.

Section 4: Representation Fee

a) Subject to the conditions set forth in the paragraphs below, all eligible nonmember employees in this unit will be required to pay to the majority representative a representation fee in lieu of dues for services rendered by the majority representative during the term of this agreement. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require any employee to become a member of the majority representative.

b) The representation fee in lieu of dues shall be in an amount equivalent to the regular membership dues, initiation fees, and assessment charged by the majority representative to its own members less the cost of benefits financed through the dues, fees, and assessments and available to or benefiting only its members, but in no event shall such fee exceed 85% of the regular membership dues, fees, and assessments.

c) The Union hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the County harmless against any and all claims, actions, proceedings, demands, suits, or other forms of liability that shall arise out of or by reason of action taken or not taken by the County for purpose of complying with any of the provisions of this Article.

d) The parties agree to comply with the provision of the statutes governing this matter as found under N.J.S.A. 34:13A-5.5, et. seq.


ARTICLE 4 - UNION RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

Section 1: The Union shall have the right to designate such members of the Union as it deems reasonably necessary as Union Representatives, who shall not be discriminated against due to their legitimate Union activity.

The Union agrees to furnish the County with the names of Shop Stewards in writing. One Shop Steward per grievance shall be permitted a maximum of 45 minutes, non-cumulative, without loss of pay or benefits to investigate a grievance at the first level in the "Grievance Procedure". This time spent investigating such grievances shall be compensated for at the employee's regular rate of pay. Shop Stewards must obtain permission from their supervisor or foreman before leaving their work station in exercise of their duties. Such permission shall not be unreasonably withheld.

The County recognizes that the Union may designate five (5) "Special" representatives to replace the regular shop stewards from time to time. Of these five (5) "Special" representatives shall be permitted a maximum of 60 minutes per individual representative, per week, non-cumulative, without loss of pay or benefits to investigate a grievance at the first level in the "Grievance Procedure."

Union Representatives, not to exceed seven (7) in number, may participate in mutually scheduled collective negotiations or monthly meetings during their scheduled hours of work, and shall suffer no loss in their regular pay for the time they are so engaged. In the event that the Union President and/or Recording Secretary are County employees and they attend negotiations, they shall be considered part of the designated seven (7).

Section 2: Authorized Union Representatives shall have the right to enter upon the premises of the County during working hours after notice to the County for the purpose of conducting normal duties relative to the enforcement and administration of this Agreement, so long as such visits do not interfere with the work being performed or with the proper service to the public.

Representatives of the Union shall be permitted to transact official Union business on the premises at all reasonable times, provided that this shall not interfere with or interrupt normal operations. Prior permission shall be obtained by the Union from the appropriate division/department head responsible for the building. Said permission shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Section 3: The Union may use County buildings, designated facilities and equipment at reasonable hours when not otherwise in use, when authorized and scheduled by the proper authorities. Said authorization shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Section 4: The Union has twenty-five (25) days available to the Union to be used by duly-authorized representatives to engage in authorized Union activities. Any duly-authorized Union Representative may be granted with pay up to five (5) consecutive days for such activities. The use and distribution of the twenty-five (25) days of Union leave is at the discretion of the Union providing the activities are duly-authorized Union activities.

No more than two (2) individuals per duly-authorized activity per year will be permitted to attend an activity.
The Five (5) days shall include necessary travel time. Written notice from the Union indicating that the employee is a duly-authorized representative shall be submitted to the supervisor at least three (3) weeks prior to the activity. A certificate of attendance shall be submitted to the supervisor after the activity indicating the representative's attendance. Such leave shall be granted providing that it will not interfere with the efficient operation of the County.

In addition upon ratification of the contract, all designated shop stewards shall receive one paid half-day once during each contract term to attend a training session on new provisions of the contract. Scheduling of these training sessions shall not interfere with the efficient operation of the County.

Section 5: An employee may attend other Union activities and may request to use vacation leave, personal leave or unpaid leave. Such leave shall be granted provided that it will not interfere with the efficient operation of the County, is requested timely, and such leave shall be granted solely at the discretion of the Division Head.

Section 6: The Union shall purchase bulletin boards at 16" x 24" for each worksite for the exclusive use of the Union. The County and the Union shall determine locations of said bulletin boards which shall be installed at the County's expense. Materials on such bulletin boards shall be posted and removed by representatives of the Union. Management reserves the right to remove political, slanderous, discriminatory or materials containing personally inflammatory information.


ARTICLE 5 - MANAGEMENT

Section 1: The County hereby retains and reserves unto itself, without limitation except those to which it has agreed all powers, rights, authority, duties and responsibilities conferred upon and vested in it prior to the signing of this Agreement by the Laws and Constitution of the State of New Jersey and of the forgoing, the following rights:

a) To exercise all management functions and responsibilities which the Employer has not expressly modified or restricted by a specific provision of this or other agreements with the Union;

b) To the executive management and administrative control of the County Government and its properties and facilities and to determine the methods of operation to be offered by its employees and to direct the activities of its employees;

c) To establish and administer policies and procedures related to personnel matters, departmental activities, employee training, departmental and work unit operational functions, performance of services and maintenance of the facilities and equipment of the County;

d) To reprimand, suspend, demote, discharge, or otherwise discipline employees for just cause;

e) To determine the standards of selection of employment and to hire, promote, transfer, assign, reassign, layoff and recall employees to work and to determine their qualifications and conditions for continued employment or assignment in accordance with New Jersey Department of Personnel rules and regulations and this agreement;

f) To determine the number of employees and the duties to be performed;

g) To maintain the efficiency of employees in the performance of their duties and to maintain the efficiency of its operations;

h) To determine staffing patterns and areas worked, to control and regulate the use of facilities, supplies, equipment, materials, and other property of the County;

i) To determine the total amount of overtime to be worked;

j) To determine the methods, means, and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted;

k) To determine the content of work assignments in accordance with New Jersey Department of Personnel job descriptions;

l) To exercise complete control and discretion over the organization and the technology of performing its work;

m) To subcontract for any existing or future service as determined necessary by the County as limited by this agreement;

n) To make or change County rules, regulations, policies, and resolutions as the County may from time-to-time deem best the for purposes of maintaining order, safety, and/or the effective and efficient operation of the work of the County subject to the limitations contained in this agreement and in law; and

o) To generally manage the affairs of the County, attain and maintain full operation efficiency and productivity, and to direct the workforce.

Section 2: The exercise of the foregoing powers, rights, authority, duties, and responsibilities of the County, the adoption of policies, rules, regulations, and practices in furtherance thereof, and the use of judgment and discretion in connection herewith shall be limited only by law and by the specific and express terms of this agreement and then only to the extent such specific and express terms hereof are in conformance with the Constitution and Laws of New Jersey and of the United States.
Section 3: Should the County contract or subcontract for work or services performed by negotiating unit employees, the County shall notify the Union of the impact of such contracting or subcontracting upon negotiating unit employees who may be laid off or reassigned. Such notice shall be given prior to the award of the contract or subcontract, except in extraordinary circumstances. The Union must request the opportunity to discuss the impact of a decision to subcontract or contract out work within thirty (30) days after written notification by the County by certified mail, return receipt. Failure of the Union to make such a timely request shall act as a waiver and shall bar the Union from seeking to discuss the impact of this action.

Section 4: The parties agree that the County has the right to make reasonable rules and regulations. All rules and regulations promulgated by the County for the proper and efficient operation of the public service shall be duly and conspicuously placed and shall be observed. A copy of all rules and regulations will be provided to the Union.


ARTICLE 6 - NON-DISCRIMINATION AND DUE PROCESS

Section 1: No employee shall be discharged, or discriminated against because of age, race, creed, sex, color, ethnic background, political affiliation, disability, marital status, or Union activity.

Section 2: Zero Tolerance: The County has ongoing interest in maintaining a policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination and harassment, encouraging the filing of complaints alleging discrimination or hostile work environments in the workplace, and providing appropriate guidance to its employees regarding prohibited activities, employee and supervisor responsibilities, complaint procedures, and related issues of confidentiality, retaliation, discipline and training. To this end the County has adopted “Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment or Hostile Environments in the Workplace” on March 28, 2001.

Section 3: The County reserves the right to discipline or discharge any employee for just cause.

Section 4: All discipline shall be progressive in nature and corrective in intent. Discipline for this purpose means any penalty greater than an oral reprimand.


ARTICLE 7 - ADHERENCE TO NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL RULES

The County agrees to negotiate with the Union over the replacement of any right or benefit provided under the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 4A (Personnel) which may be eliminated or altered by statute or regulation.

The County and the Union understand and agree that all rules promulgated by the New Jersey Department of Personnel or superseded by Public Employment Relations Commission ruling concerning any matter whatever not specifically covered in this Agreement shall be binding upon both parties.


ARTICLE 8 - NO STRIKES

The Union assures and pledges to the County that its goals and purposes are such that it does not condone strikes or threats thereof by public employees, or work stoppage, slowdowns or any other such actions which would interfere with service to the public or violate the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Jersey; and the Union and the employees agree they will not initiate or participate in such activities nor advocate or encourage members of the unit to initiate or participate in the same; and the Union will not support anyone acting contrary to this provision. The County agrees that there shall be no lockout of employees during the term of this Agreement.


ARTICLE 9 - ECONOMY LAYOFFS

Section 1: The County agrees that employee layoffs for purposes of efficiency or economy or other valid reason requiring a reduction of the number of employees in a given class shall be on the basis of seniority, beginning with temporary help, then provisional employees, and last, permanent employees, according to procedures specified in State Department of Personnel (formerly Civil Service) rules. In all cases, the County shall provide proper written notice to employees to be laid off, forty-five (45) days in advance, as required by State Department of Personnel rules.

Section 2: An employee re-appointed from a Civil Service reemployment list shall receive the same rate of pay received on the date of layoff (adjusted by intervening across the board wage increases) if re-appointed to the same title held at the time of layoff. If reappointed to another title, the employee's rate of pay shall be adjusted to that which the employee would have received if the employee had been appointed to the new title on the date of separation (adjusted by intervening across the board wage increases). Salary adjustments in this circumstance are subject to the minimums and maximums of the salary range of the job title to which an affected employee is re-appointed.


ARTICLE 10 - SAFETY

Section 1: The County agrees to provide safe and adequate working areas and equipment. The County will discharge its responsibility for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards to provide a safe and healthful environment. The County will set up necessary job safety and health programs for all employees covered by this Agreement.

Section 2: The parties agree to cooperate in maintaining and improving safe working conditions and health protection for the employees consistent with established safety standards in the promotion of safety, safe working habits, and good housekeeping throughout the work environment. Each employee shall comply with all reasonable safety rules and regulations.

Section 3: Employee or Union complaints of unsafe or unhealthful conditions shall be reported to the Division Head or Department Administrator and shall be promptly investigated.

Section 4: Employees shall not be required to work under conditions of work which are unsafe or unhealthful. The County retains the right to make a determination of the safety or healthiness of the conditions of work and will be responsible for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards to provide a safe and healthful environment in accordance with PEOSHA and any other applicable statutes, regulations, or guidelines.

Any employee whose work is temporarily eliminated as a result of the foregoing may be promptly assigned on an interim basis to other comparable work or work location. As soon as it is possible, management will notify the Union of any interim reassignments due to unsafe working conditions.

If other comparable work or work location is not available, employees shall be allowed to use vacation or personal leave. In no instance shall an employee be forced to take a vacation or personal leave in lieu of a temporary reassignment.

Section 5: A Joint Union-Management Safety Committee shall be established, consisting of five (5) Union appointed representatives and five (5) Management-appointed representatives. This committee shall meet at least four (4) times per year. Additional meetings will take place at the request of either the Union or the County.


ARTICLE 11 - LEGALITY

Any provisions of this Agreement found to be in violation of any existing or future local, state, or national legislation shall be subject to renegotiation by the parties to the end of insuring that such provisions are not in contradiction to any such aforementioned legislation. Only these provisions in dispute shall be affected, all other terms and conditions of this Agreement remaining unaffected.



ARTICLE 12 – QUARTERLY LABOR/MANAGEMENT MEETINGS

On a date mutually agreed upon by the parties quarterly, there will be a meeting of a committee representing the County senior management and a committee representing the Union to discuss mutual problems. These quarterly meetings shall not be for the purpose of hearing grievances or negotiation. These meetings shall be scheduled, whenever possible, to start between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.


ARTICLE 13 - NEGOTIATION PROCEDURE

The parties agree to begin bargaining ninety (90) days prior to termination of this Agreement, sooner if possible, or in accordance with the Public Employment Relations Commission schedule.


ARTICLE 14 - HOURS OF WORK

Section 1: The normal workweek for full-time employees shall consist of either thirty-five (35) or forty (40) hours. Typical work hours, including starting and ending times, in existence during the prior contract shall continue during this contract unless changed by: (a) mutual consent of the parties to this agreement; (b) mutual agreement of one or more employees and their supervisor; or (c) a directive of a state agency. Both parties reserve the right to request a change in the normal working hours, but no change shall be implemented unless mutually agreed. No mutual agreement is needed for flextime, seasonal adjustments and other variations of time, which currently are or have been in use and existence.

Section 2: All employees authorized by their supervisor to work in the field or on the road shall compute their hours of work on a portal-to-portal basis for such time spent in the field or on the road.

Section 3: Employees who are working on rotating shifts that include weekends shall be guaranteed every other weekend off wherever possible unless circumstances or exigent conditions dictate.


ARTICLE 15 - OVERTIME

Section 1: All employees shall be expected to complete their work in the time allotted for the normal working day.

Section 2: Any employee scheduled by the Department Administrator in accordance with the County's policy to work in excess of his/her regular work week shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for all hours the employee works in excess of his/her regular work week. An employee who is scheduled to work a regular Monday-to-Friday work week and works on a Saturday shall receive time and one-half for all hours she/he works on said Saturday, provided that any absence during the regular work week is justified.

An employee who is scheduled to work a regular Monday-to-Friday work week and works on Sunday, shall receive double time for all hours he/she works on said Sunday, provided that any absence during the regular work week is justified.

Section 3: The County reserves the right to offer compensatory time off in lieu of paid overtime. The employee retains the right to refuse compensatory time off in lieu of paid overtime. Compensatory time off in lieu of paid overtime shall be in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the following procedure:

a) Prior approval must be secured from the Division Head or authorized representative before any overtime is worked and compensatory time off is accrued.

b) Accurate records showing when the time is earned and when it is taken must be kept by the Division Head or authorized representative in compliance with Federal Law and County policy. Compensatory time in lieu of paid overtime shall be earned at the same rate as paid overtime. Compensatory time off must be reported on leave requests.

c) Employees are responsible for submitting a leave request to use the compensatory time within 120 calendar days of earning it with first and second choices. Employees in 24-hour facilities involved in direct patient/inmate care may not request to use compensatory time the day before a holiday or on a holiday. Failure of the employee to request to use the compensatory time within time limits shall result in forfeiture. The Division Head or authorized representative will approve either the first or second choice at his/her discretion. The employee's first choice will not be unreasonably denied.

d) Employees shall provide advance notice to use compensatory time off in the same manner as vacation time off and in accordance with Article 20—VACATIONS, Section 4, i.e., requests of five (5) or more consecutive compensatory days off must be submitted in writing to the Department Administrator four (4) weeks in advance of the requested time off and requests of less than five (5) consecutive compensatory days off should be made in writing to the Department Administrator four (4) working- days, where possible, in advance of the requested time off.

e) Under no circumstances will compensatory time off be granted before it is earned.

f). Compensatory time taken off shall not exceed the employee's regular work week of either 35 or 40 hours in any regular work week.

g) An employee leaving County employment will be paid for any unused compensatory time remaining when separation takes place. The estates of deceased employees shall be paid for the compensatory time earned.

Section 4: An employee "called out” on an emergency or standby basis shall be paid time-and-one-half for all hours actually worked. An employee “called out” on an emergency or standby basis shall be guaranteed a minimum of two (2) hours straight time, which includes actual hours worked and paid at the overtime rate.

An employee required to remain after the end of his/her normal workday shall be paid an hour’s wage for any part of the hour worked (i.e., 15 minutes = 1 hour; 30 minutes = 1 hour; 1 hour and 15 minutes = 2 hours; 1 hour 30 minutes = 2 hours).

Section 5: Employees called to work on an observed holiday with less than 48 hours notice shall be paid their regular day's pay plus double time for all hours worked on such observed holiday with the following exceptions: .

a) Employees in 24-hour facilities are governed by Article 19, Section 4 of this Agreement.

b) When a non-24-hour facility employee is called to work on the actual Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day and the actual holiday and observed holiday are the same day, the employee shall be paid their regular day's pay plus triple time for all hours worked on such actual and observed holiday.

c) When a non-24 hour facility employee is called to work on December 25th or January 1st and the actual holiday is on their regular day off, i.e., Saturday or Sunday, the employee shall be paid triple time for all hours worked on such actual holiday.

d) When a non-24-hour facility employee is called to work on the observed Christmas Day or New Year's Day and the observed holiday is not the actual holiday, the employee shall be paid their regular day's pay plus double time for all hours worked on such observed holiday.

Section 6: Employees who work in a department that operates on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day-per-week basis, and who work on a holiday, shall be paid in accordance with Article 19.

Section 7: Part-time employees will receive overtime pay only for those hours they work in excess of the normal work week in their department (35 or 40).

Section 8: All overtime and/or extra hours must be authorized by the Department Administrator or his/her designee. Authorization shall be made in advance and in writing, except in the case of emergency, where said authorization may be made verbally, with a written record of the approval provided to the Department Administrator or his/her designee.

Section 9: Employees in the Transit Division who are directed in writing, by the Division Director to report to work fifteen (15) minutes prior to their shift shall be paid a lump sum of $500.00 annually. Said stipend shall be paid the last pay period in November of each year. Employees who worked less than twelve (12) months in the calendar year shall receive a pro rata share.


ARTICLE 16 - PAY PERIODS

Section 1: Beginning July 1, 2002, all employees shall be paid on a semi-monthly basis. There shall be two payroll periods in each month. The first semi-monthly pay period will be defined as the First (1st) of the month through the Fifteenth (15th) of the month. The second semi-monthly pay period will be the Sixteenth (16th) of the month through the last day of the month. Paydays shall be the 3rd of every month for the first semi-monthly pay period and the 18th of every month for the second semi-monthly pay period.

Section 2: To effect this change, all employees, who on January 1, 2002, had their annual salary “divided by 27” to yield the biweekly payroll, shall receive the equivalent of 1/52nd of their annual salary on or before June 28, 2002. This will assure that all employees will have received one-half of their annual 2002 salary prior to June 30, 2002. In addition, any employee, who may have left the employ of the County between January 2, 2002, and June 30, 2002, shall receive a prorated portion of his/her salary to which he/she is entitled. (See Section 38, Wages, Section 3.)

Section 3: In every year, annual salaries are divided by 1827 hours for 35 hours per week employees and 2088 for 40 hours per week employees to determine the hourly rate. Likewise, annual salaries are divided by 261 workdays to determine the daily rate of pay.

Section 4: In those cases when a payday - the 3rd or the 18th of the month - occurs on a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday, the paycheck shall be issued to the employee on the last workday preceding the aforementioned Saturday, Sunday or Holiday. In the event said last workday occurs in a prior reporting quarter, the paycheck shall be issued on the next workday occurring in the current quarter.

Section 5: Under the former biweekly payroll method, the Union recognized that employees hired after May 1991 were subject to a payroll delay of ten (10) workdays, which shall continue. These employees have previously had and will in the future have ten (10) workdays’ pay held back from them. Under the semi-monthly method as under the former biweekly payroll method, should an employee’s last workday be a payday, the employee would be eligible for a credit of ten (10) workdays’ pay. Should an employee’s last workday not be a payday, then the last pay would be prorated accordingly.

Under the former biweekly payroll method, any employee hired on or before May, 1991 received his/her payroll eight (8) workdays in advance of the completion of the period for which the employee was paid. With the semi-monthly payroll method, these employees continue to be paid eight (8) workdays in advance of the completion of the work period, e.g., the July 3rd paycheck covers the period July 1st through 15th.






ARTICLE 17 - MEDICAL BENEFITS

Section 1 (Health & Medical): Employees are eligible to receive health and medical benefits provided by Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey Program in effect January 1, 2005. Such employees will have the option on the open enrollment dates of selecting one of the following plans: Traditional Indemnity, Point of Service (POS), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and Direct Access (DA). The plan includes coverage for the employee and eligible immediate family members and shall be fully paid for by the County.

For employees hired after the date of execution of this Agreement, the County’s annual premium contribution shall be limited to the premium in effect for the Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey Point of Service (POS) program. Employees hired after the execution date of this Agreement shall be responsible for reimbursing the County of Sussex on a quarterly basis for premium charges for the Traditional Indemnity, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), or Direct Access (DA) in excess of the POS premium.

The minimum number of hours worked for eligibility for health and medical benefits will increase from 20 per week to 25 per week effective March 1, 1996, and those eligible prior to March 1, 1996, will continue to be eligible until or unless their hours decrease to less than 20 per week; current employees ineligible for participation in the Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey Program (i.e., those who work less than 20 hours) will continue to be ineligible for coverage in the program unless or until their hours are increased to at least 25 hours per week.

Section 2 (Prescription Drugs): No sooner than the first day of the second month after the signing of the Agreement, prescription drug co-pays shall be as follows:

· $1.00 for generic drugs (up to 30-day supply)—approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. Generics are chemically and therapeutically equivalent to brand-name drugs.
· $15.00 for preferred brand-name drugs (up to 30-day supply)—brand-name drugs that have been identified as the most therapeutically safe and effective for treatment of medical conditions. These drugs may not have less costly generic equivalents because they are sold under a trade name.
· $30.00 for non-preferred drugs (up to 30-day supply)—drug products that have either a generic equivalent or a preferred brand-name alternative. No employee shall be required to pay the non-preferred rate if there is no doctor-approved generic or preferred brand-name alternative. A doctor who does not approve a generic or preferred brand-name alternative due to a medically documented condition and/or documented adverse medical reaction to said generic or brand-name drug shall provide said documentation to the Sussex County Director of Employee Services (who has been designated by the Board of Chosen Freeholders as the representative to receive HIPPA-sensitive documents). General statements of need shall not satisfy this requirement.
· The co-pay for mail-order supplies (up to 90-day supply) shall be twice the rates specified for the type drugs listed above ($2.00, $30.00, $60.00). Mail-order supply forms shall be available in the Office of Employee Services.

Out-of-pocket expenses for prescription co-payments shall be limited to $1,000 per individual and $2,000 per family for each calendar year. Co-payments incurred prior to the implementation of co-payments modified and established by this Agreement shall not be counted towards the out-of-pocket expense maximum.

The minimum number of hours worked for eligibility for prescription drug program will increase from 20 per week to 25 per week effective March 1, 1996, and those eligible prior to March 1, 1996, will continue to be eligible until or unless their current hours are decreased to less than 20 per week; current employees ineligible for participation in the prescription drug program (i.e. work less than 20 hours) will continue to be ineligible for coverage unless or until their hours are increased to at least 25 hours per week.

Prescription co-payments modified by this Agreement shall be in effect no sooner that the first day of the second month following execution of said Agreement.

Section 3 (Dental Plan): Employees are eligible for a dental program, known as Delta Premier outlined by the Delta Dental Plan. The plan includes coverage for employees and eligible immediate family members and shall be fully paid for by the County.

The minimum number of hours worked for eligibility for the dental program will increase from 20 per week to 25 per week effective March 1, 1996, and those eligible prior to March 1, 1996, will continue to be eligible until or unless their current hours are decreased to less than 20 per week; current employees ineligible for participation in the dental program (i.e. work less than 20 hours) will continue to be ineligible for coverage unless or until their hours are increased to at least 25 hours per week.

Section 4: Coverage shall begin after two (2) months of employment for health and prescription benefits and the first of the month after two (2) months of employment for dental benefits providing that the proper application is completed and filed timely with the Office of Employee Services.

Section 5: The County agrees to continue to pay the premium charges for certain eligible retirees and their eligible dependents (but not including survivors) for the health and medical benefits described in Section 1 provide such persons retire from the County service after twenty-five (25) years or more of service credit to the New Jersey State Pension System or receive a disability retirement regardless of the years of service. To be eligible for this benefit, such retirees shall apply for full coverage under Part B of the Federal Medicare Program, if the retiree meets the requirements. This healthcare program is administered by the Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey.

For employees who retire effective January 1, 1988, through May 11, 2005, the County agrees to pay the premium charges for the prescription program described in Section 2, and for the dental program described in Section 3, provided such persons retire from the County service after twenty-five (25) years or more of service credit to the New Jersey State Pension System or receive a disability retirement regardless of the years of service. The prescription and dental care programs are administered by the County in accordance with the contracts with the respective insurance carriers.

Employees hired after the execution of this Agreement shall be eligible for medical benefits paid by the County after twenty-five (25) years or more of service in the New Jersey State Pension System, including the last ten (10) years of employment with the County of Sussex. Such retirees must apply for full coverage under Part B of the Federal Medicare Program, if the retiree meets the requirements. The prescription and dental programs are administered by the County in accordance with the contract with the respective insurance carriers.

Section 6: The County agrees to reimburse eligible employees for their premium charges under Part B of the Federal Medicare Program for themselves and their eligible immediate family members, provided the County voucher is submitted by the employee to the Treasurer’s Office during July and January for the previous six (6) months.

The County agrees to reimburse retirees with twenty-five (25) years or more of service credit to the New Jersey State Pension System or who receive a disability retirement regardless of the years of service for their premium charges under Part B of the Federal Medicare Program for themselves and their eligible immediate family members, provided a County voucher is submitted to the Treasurer’s Office during July and January for the previous six (6) months.

Section 7: Employees who are granted a leave of absence without pay should refer to Article 29, Section 5.

Section 8: Upon an employee's termination, all insurance coverage will be discontinued the first of the month after one month, or as otherwise specified by the insurance carrier.

Section 9: All rights, benefits, eligibility requirements, etc. shall be governed by the applicable policy of insurance.

Section 10: Effective January 1, 2002, the County agrees to reimburse an employee or dependent up to $35.00 for regular prescription corrective lenses or up to $45.00 for bifocal or more complex prescription corrective lenses. Employees or dependents are eligible for a total of no more than one reimbursement each year. Receipts, indicating amounts paid by health insurance if any, shall be submitted to the County to be eligible for reimbursement but the amount paid by the health insurance and the reimbursement shall not exceed 100% of the costs. Eligibility for this program shall begin after two months of employment for new employees and shall cease when the employee is no longer actively employed which includes, but is not limited to, leaves of absence, suspensions without pay, retirement/resignation, etc..




ARTICLE 18 - STATE TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE

Section 1: The County agrees to provide to all employees the New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance Program. The Union agrees that employees, through payroll deductions, shall be required to contribute to this program as determined by the New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits Law.

Section 2: All rights, benefits, eligibility requirements, etc., shall be in accordance with the New Jersey Disability Benefits Law.


ARTICLE 19 - HOLIDAYS

Section 1: Fourteen (14) legal holidays shall be observed under this Agreement:

New Years Day Labor Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Columbus Day
Lincoln's Birthday Election Day
Washington Birthday Veteran's Day
Good Friday Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day Day after Thanksgiving Day
Independence Day Christmas Day

In addition to the declared holidays, the County of Sussex shall recognize and observe any day in which State government offices are closed.

When a holiday, as above, falls on a Saturday, it shall be observed on the preceding Friday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, it shall be observed on the following day, Monday.

Section 2: A day's holiday pay shall be equal to the employee's pay for his/her regularly scheduled work day.

Section 3: Employees in a 24-hour facility may be required to work on an observed holiday. If said employee is required to work on the observed holiday, or if said employee is scheduled to have his/her regular day off on the observed holiday, she/he shall be granted another day off in lieu of the holiday in accordance with the following procedure.

The compensatory holiday time off shall be requested no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the holiday. An employee may request to use a holiday before it occurs if all of the following conditions are met: (a) the employee is not terminating or planning to request a leave of absence prior to the occurrence of the holiday; (b) the employee has been employed at least one full calendar year; (c) the employee's prior attendance record has been satisfactory; and (d) the employee has not exhausted all other earned benefit leave time.

The employee shall make the request no later than ten (10) days before the requested day off and said request shall be submitted to the employee's supervisor on the proper form.

In the event that no request for holiday time off has been received within said thirty (30) day period after the date of the holiday, the Department Head shall schedule the compensatory holiday time off as the work load permits.

Upon submission of the proper form by the employee, the Department Head shall respond to the leave request not later than five (5) working days from the date of submission. In the event the date requested is not, granted, the employee shall have five (5) working days to submit a new request form and this procedure shall be repeated until a date has been selected by the employee and approved by the Department Head.

The Department Head shall attempt to schedule work, insofar as possible, to honor the requests of the employees for their selected compensatory holiday time off.

In the event there are multiple requests for the same day off which cannot be granted based on the needs of the service, the request shall be honored first in order of its submission, and if submissions have been made on the same day, by seniority of the affected employee.

All compensatory holiday time off, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, shall be taken in the year in which the holiday occurs. Employees whose regularly scheduled day off falls on Thanksgiving Day and/or December 25 may be carried into the next calendar year with the approval of the Department Head and the Office of Treasury.

Section 4: Employees in a 24-hour facility may be required to work on an observed holiday. If said employee is required to work on the observed holiday, except Thanksgiving Day, December 25 or January 1, or if said employee is scheduled to have his/her regular day off on the observed holiday, she/he shall be granted another day in lieu of the Holiday in accordance with the procedure outlined in Section 3.

Employees who work in a 24-hour facility and who are required to work on Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and/or January 1 shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for all hours worked plus their regular holiday pay. Employees who work on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and/or January I and who are paid at the special rate listed above shall not receive another day off in lieu of these holidays.

Employees in a 24-hour facility called to work with less than 48 hours notice on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, or January 1 shall be paid their regular day's pay plus double time for all hours worked. Employees in a 24 hour facility called to work with less than 48 hours notice on any other holiday shall be paid straight time and granted another day off in lieu of that holiday.

Section 5: The County Library is closed on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day and Labor Day. The County Library is closed on Saturday when the actual holiday of New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans' Day, and Christmas Day fall on Saturday. When the County Library is closed on Saturday, Library employees will be scheduled to work their regular work week during the week prior.


ARTICLE 20 - VACATIONS

Section 1: All employees shall be granted vacation leave based upon the following from date of last hire:
First year -- 1 day per month to the end of the calendar year
Upon completion of 1 through 5 years = 12 days per year
Upon completion of 6 through 7 years = 13 days per year
Upon completion of 8 through 11 years = 15 days per year
Upon completion of 12 through 15 years = 17 days per year
Upon completion of 16 through 20 years = 21 days per year
Upon completion of 21 through 26 years = 24 days per year
Upon completion of 27 years or more = 26 days per year

ANNIVERSARY DATE: Should an employee whose anniversary date falls between January 1 and June 30 be eligible to receive increased vacation in accordance with the aforementioned schedule, she/he shall receive one-half of the increased allotment for said year and receive the full allotment January 1 of the following year. Should an employee whose anniversary date falls between July 1 and December 31, she/he shall receive the increased allotment January 1 of the forthcoming year.

Section 2: Employees on the payroll as of January 1 of any calendar year shall on that January 1 be credited in advance with vacation entitlement in accordance with the foregoing schedule, provided however, that if the employee works less than twelve (12) months in the calendar year, she/he is entitled to pro rata share of such vacation entitlement. An employee who has used more vacation time than she/he is entitled to at the time of severance shall have an amount equal to his/her daily rate at the time of severance deducted from his/her final pay for each day of vacation the employee has used in excess of the number of days to which she/he is entitled.

Section 3: No vacation days shall be taken for less than one-half day and providing it is mutually agreed by the employee and the Department Administrator.

Section 4: Employees shall submit requests for vacation times of five (5) consecutive work days or more to the department/agency head in writing no later than four (4) weeks before his/her requested vacation, with first and second choices. The department agency/head shall answer the request in writing within five (5) working days. The requested vacation shall be scheduled where practical on the basis of seniority. Vacations of less than five (5) consecutive work days should be requested in writing four (4) working days, where possible, before the requested vacation leave. The department/agency head should answer the request in writing no later than two (2) working days before the requested vacation leave.

The Department Administrator shall attempt to schedule work, insofar as possible, to preclude changes in the vacation scheduling.

Section 5: Vacation allowance must be taken during the current calendar year at such time as permitted or directed by the department/agency head unless the department/agency head determines that it cannot be taken because of pressure of work. A maximum of one year's allotment may be automatically carried forward into the New Year.

Section 6: Any employee whose service with the County terminates shall have unused vacation time paid to him/her or the employee's legal representative in the event of his/her death.


ARTICLE 21 - SICK LEAVE

Section 1: All employees shall be granted sick leave based upon the following from date of last hire:
· 1-1/4 days per month in the first year of service, then
· 15 days per calendar year.

Section 2: All unused sick leave may be accumulated from year to year.

Section 3: Employees are entitled to use sick leave in accordance with New Jersey Department of Personnel (Civil Service) rules, N.J.A.C. 4A:6-1.3. The parties agree to adhere to the following concerning sick leave usage:

a) Absenteeism: Absenteeism includes paid and unpaid sick leave, excused or unexcused absences whether paid or unpaid, or leaves of absence without pay. Chronic or excessive absenteeism may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment (see N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.2 and 4A:2-2.3).

b) Verification of Sick Leave: An employee shall be required to submit acceptable medical evidence for the following:

1. Absences for five or more consecutive working days.

2. Absences for periods totaling 10 work days in one calendar year consisting of periods of less than five days without acceptable medical evidence.

3. An employee currently suffering a catastrophic health condition or injury which necessitates the employee’s recurring absences from work, may submit acceptable medical evidence for a maximum of six (6) months indicating the anticipated duration of the condition or injury. Extensions of six (6) month increments may be granted with the submission of acceptable medical evidence.
    4. An employee who is needed to provide care to a member of the employee's immediate family who is suffering from a catastrophic health condition or injury, which necessitates the employee’s recurring absences from work, may submit acceptable medical evidence, disclosing the diagnosis and anticipated duration, for a maximum of 90 days. Extensions of a maximum of 30 days will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unlike other medical evidence required, the medical evidence required for recurring absences relating to an immediate family member’s catastrophic health condition or injury, shall indicate the nature, severity, and anticipated duration of the disability.

    5. Upon issuance of a disciplinary notice as described in (d) of this article.

    6. The County and its representatives retain the right to require acceptable medical evidence and/or initiate progressive discipline whenever there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse of sick leave. Supervisors may deny the use of sick leave for any valid reason and must advise employee of the reason for such denial.

    c) New Employees and/or Working Test Period: A new employee who is absent or sick more than three (3) times during his/her first ninety (90) days of employment may be subject to termination if no legitimate reasons for the absences are found. A regular employee serving a ninety (90) day working test period who is sick or absent more than three (3) times during the working test period may be subject to failure of the working test period if no legitimate reasons for the absences are found. Failure of the working test period may result in demotion, if an appropriate vacancy exists, or termination of employment in accordance with N.J. Department of Personnel (Civil Service) rules.

    d) Disciplinary Notice: An employee who has been absent for periods totaling 10 or more work days in one calendar year consisting of periods of less than five consecutive days without acceptable medical evidence, may be given a disciplinary notice.

    An employee who has exhibited a pattern of absences (such as single absences on Monday or Friday, before and after days off in 24 hours facilities, paydays, the day after payday, or some other pattern that appears suspicious) without acceptable medical evidence is subject to progressive discipline such as warning, suspension, termination. After progressive discipline is initiated in these circumstances, employee may be required to supply acceptable medical evidence justifying the absence for the next calendar year.

    Section 4: Medical Evidence: Employees required to supply medical evidence for sick absences must supply a legible note from a doctor's office written in the English language.

    Section 5: An employee upon retiring shall be paid for one-half of the unused sick leave she/he has accumulated up to a maximum of $15,000. The employee shall be compensated for this accumulated time at his/her daily rate of pay at the date of retirement. The employee shall forfeit this payment if the resignation/retirement is not in good standing.

    An employee whose employment within the County is terminated in good standing for reasons other than retirement shall be paid for unused accumulated sick leave based upon the following schedule:
    · Upon completion of 5 through 10 years of service = 1/8 up to $15,000.00
    · Upon completion of 11 through 20 years of service = 1/4 up to $15,000.00
    · Upon completion of 21 years or more = 1/2 up to $15,000.00

    Section 6: Employees who have in excess of thirty (30) sick days on December 31st of any year may convert any or all earned sick days they have in excess of thirty (30) sick days for vacation days at a ratio of two (2) sick days to one (1) vacation day. Those sick days converted to vacation days shall not be reinstated at any future date. However, no employee shall be permitted to convert more than thirty (30) sick days to vacation days in one calendar year.

    Section 7: Employees who use five (5) days or less sick leave per year will be allowed, at their option, to sell back up to five (5) unused sick days, in full day increments, to the County. Employees must submit their request on or before March 1st to receive payment in March.

    This payment will be made in March of the following year at the prior year's rate. To be eligible the employee must be full time, be in a pay status the entire year, and not have any leaves of absence, suspensions, or workers' compensation leave, during the year.


    ARTICLE 22 – PERSONAL LEAVE

    Section 1: Full-time employees shall receive three (3) days leave per year for personal leave, non-cumulative.

    Section 2: No personal leave shall be taken for less than a quarter day and providing it is mutually agreed by the employee and the Department Administrator. The Union recognizes and agrees that personal leave shall not be used for unauthorized: late arrival, leaving work early, or returning from lunch late.

    Section 3: An employee must give his/her department/agency head twenty-four (24) hours notice when possible before taking personal leave. Requests to use personal leave for emergencies, with less than 24 hours notice, shall not be unreasonably withheld. The County shall approve the personal leave unless there is a shortage of staff or peak work load periods.


    ARTICLE 23 - BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

    Section 1: All employees shall receive three (3) days leave in the event of the death of a spouse, child, stepchild, foster child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, parent, stepparents, foster parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, grandparents, grandchild or person residing in an employee's household with whom the employee has a spousal relationship; such leave being separate and distinct from any other leave time. The employee shall be allowed three (3) days per incident.


    ARTICLE 24 - JURY DUTY

    Section-1: Should an employee be obligated to serve as a juror, she/he shall not lose any
    pay for the time spent for jury duty.


    ARTICLE 25 - SNOW DAYS

    Section 1: The County reserves the right to declare a snow day, early closing, or late opening for all departments. The purpose of a declared snow day, early closing, or late opening is to provide non-essential employees with the ability to stay off roads and highways so that emergency personnel can clear snow and ice. Essential employees who work on a declared snow day shall receive compensation in the form of compensatory time equal to the excused time of non-essential employees. Essential employees are defined as Department of Engineering and Planning employees involved in snow and ice control activities and employees in 24 hour facilities directly responsible for patient/inmate care and custody, food preparation, maintenance and security. Essential employees who do not report for regular hours during a declared snow day, early closing, or late opening may request to use a personal day or vacation day.

    Section 2: Should a non-essential employee report for work and subsequently the County decides to close County offices, such employees who report to work shall be credited for the day's work. There shall be no charge against his/her benefit leave time. If the County decides to close County offices after the start of the work day, all offices will remain open until official notification is received.

    Should the County close County offices before the start of a work day or declare a delayed opening, all non-essential employees scheduled to work that day will be credited with a day's work without charge to benefit leave time (There shall be no charge against his/her benefits leave time.) Non-essential employees who were scheduled for benefit leave time or for an "off day" prior to the declared snow day, early closing, or late opening, shall not receive compensatory time off or overtime.

    Notification of snow days or delayed opening will be made by radio announcements on local radio stations at 6:00 a.m. and/or 7:00 a.m. and periodically during the day.

    Section 3: If the County does not declare a snow day or delayed opening, an employee who does not report to work will be charged with either a vacation day or personal leave day.

    Section 4: If an employee is reasonably late reporting to work due to traveling conditions caused by snow and/or ice conditions, that employee shall be credited with a full working day.


    ARTICLE 26 - MEAL ALLOWANCE

    Any employee who works during severe weather conditions (e.g. snow storm, ice storm, flood, hurricane) or other emergency, shall receive the sum of $8.00 as a meal allowance for each six (6) hours of accumulated overtime worked during the emergency other than normal working hours.


    ARTICLE 27 - MILEAGE

    Section 1: Employees required to use personal vehicles in the pursuit of proper and necessary County business will be reimbursed at the rate of $0.34 per mile or the current rate of reimbursement established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), whichever is less.

    Section 2: All such personal car mileage shall be submitted on the proper travel voucher forms. Beginning and ending odometer readings are required on travel vouchers. All payments will be made in accordance with the "Travel Policy.” NOTE: Traffic violations (fines) are the responsibility of the employees.


    ARTICLE 28 - TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

    Section 1: The County agrees to appropriate monies totaling $5,000.00 annually (non-cumulative under State regulations) to provide tuition reimbursement to employees of Sussex County who intend to take a course which is clearly job related.

    Reimbursement shall be based on the following schedule:

    · Grade of A or better: 75% tuition reimbursement
    · Grade of B, B+, B- or satisfactory completion: 50% tuition reimbursement
    · Grade of C, C+, C-: 25% tuition reimbursement

    Section 2: To be eligible for the program, said employees must be full time and permanent. The courses must be taken at an accredited institution approved by the Office of Treasury.

    The interested employee must submit a written request for approval and authorization prior to registration for course work on the proper form. The request must be presented to the
    employee's Department Administrator for initial approval and the Office of Treasury for final approval and authorization. The employee will be notified as to the approval or disapproval of his/her application within two (2) weeks.

    Section 3: Within four (4) weeks after completion of the course work, the employee shall submit to the Office of Treasury, via his/her Department Administrator, certification for successful completion of course work on the proper form. This certification for successful completion contains a statement to be completed by the accredited institution as evidence of successful completion and expenses. Payments will be made to the employee after approval by the Office of Treasury and after the employee has completed and signed the proper voucher form.

    Section 4: The tuition reimbursement program will be administered by the Office of Treasury and subject to any and all regulations as set by that office. .


    Section 5: The County shall provide a fifty percent (50%) reduction in tuition cost for employees taking courses at the Sussex County Technical School who present valid photo identification to the School. This 50% discount shall be applied before the tuition reimbursement described above is processed.


    ARTICLE 29 - LEAVES OF ABSENCE

    Section 1: The types of Leave of Absence are (a) those described by the State and Federal Family and Medical Leave Act in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:6-1.21A and N.J.A.C. 4A:6-1.21B; or (b) personal leave which may include but is not limited to leaves for personal, business or educational reasons. Leaves of Absence under part (b) must be taken for a minimum of three (3) months. Leaves of Absence under part (a) may be taken for less than three (3) months, only when sought for a serious health condition and when an appropriate physician’s certification is supplied to the division director prior to taking leave. To be eligible for a leave of absence, the employee shall be employed by the County at least twelve (12) months prior to the requested leave. The Appointing Authority, with the approval of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, may grant the privilege of a leave of absence, without pay, to an employee for a period not less than three months and not to exceed one year. This may be renewed for an additional period only by formal action of the Appointing Authority with a Resolution of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

    Employees who fail to attend work as required (absent) and do not have leave time to charge for said nonattendance shall be “docked” for the lost time. When an employee has been “docked” for failure to attend work, said employee may be subject to discipline depending upon the cause of the absence.

    Section 2 - Maternity Leave of Absence: An employee shall notify the Department Administrator, appointing authority and the Office of Treasury of her pregnancy as soon as it is medically confirmed. Said employee may request a maternity leave of absence without pay as aforementioned in Section 1.

    A maternity leave of absence shall be for a period of not more than one year. The employee may elect to return at an earlier date, provided the employee shall be deemed medically fit to resume the duties and responsibilities of her position.

    Section 3: Military and all other leaves shall be granted in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:6-1 et seq., "Leaves of Absence.”

    Section 4: An employee on any type of leave of absence shall be responsible for the employee's share of pension and contributory insurance. Such premiums shall be deducted from the employee's paycheck upon certification from the Division of Pensions provided the employee has completed and filed the appropriate purchase of service credit form.

    Section 5: The County shall pay the medical insurance premiums, prescription program premiums and/or dental premiums for an employee on family or medical leave of absence for a maximum of the first three (3) months provided the employee supplies the County with medical evidence justifying the leave request (See Article 21-Sick Leave, Section 4). Thereafter, the employee shall be entitled to continue their coverage in accordance with the Federal C.O.B.R.A. laws.

    An employee granted a personal leave of absence shall be entitled to continue their coverage at their expense in accordance with the Federal C.O.B.R.A. laws provided the leave of absence exceeds one (1) month. (See Article 17 on Medical Benefits.)

    Within five (5) days of return from leave of absence, an employee shall be responsible for completing re-enrollment forms. Eligibility for re-enrollment and the effective date of re-enrollment shall be governed by the applicable policy of insurance.

    Section 6: Employees on any type of leave of absence shall not accumulate or be eligible for vacations, sick leave, personal leave or holidays.


    ARTICLE 30 – WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LEAVE

    Section 1: Notwithstanding the nature or severity, injuries/accidents on the job shall be reported on the appropriate "Accident Report," preferably within 24 hours. The 'Accident Report' acts as a workers 'compensation claim for medical expenses, loss of work, and/or loss or damage to personal appliances such as eye glasses. Exposures to serious disease, for example Lyme, scabies, Hepatitis, HIV, or tuberculosis, are reportable on the same "Accident Report.” If the injury or exposure requires medical attention, employees shall report to their supervisor and seek medical attention from any of the panel physicians approved by the claims administrator as posted on employee bulletin boards unless circumstances require emergency attention.

    Section 2: Employees entitled to receive Workers' Compensation Insurance shall be paid their regular salary for the first five (5) days after injury on the job without charges against their sick
    leave, vacation time, or personal leave. The employee shall be responsible for providing the County with a medical certificate verifying that she/he is unable to return to full duty for those five (5) days.

    Should the employee be unable to return to full duty after those five (5) days, she/he shall provide the County with a medical certificate. Should the Workers' Compensation Insurance carrier determine that she/he is eligible to receive Workers' Compensation Insurance payments retroactively; the employee shall reimburse the County for the five (5) days originally paid by the County.

    Section 3: The time that the employee shall be paid Workers' Compensation Insurance payments shall not be charged against his/her sick leave, vacation leave, or personal leave, but said employee shall be paid for any holiday which may occur during the time that she/he is receiving Workers' Compensation.

    Section 4: During the time that the employee is receiving Workers' Compensation Insurance, the County shall assume both the County's share and the employee's share of pension costs (but not contributory insurance) and the costs for all medical benefits, excepting however, if the employee fails to reimburse the County for contributory insurance.


    ARTICLE 31 - BREAKS

    Section 1: Each employee shall be entitled to one fifteen (15) minute break for each half-day period worked (morning and afternoon, and equivalent periods for shift work). Established time for these breaks will be set by the Department Administrator and shall be strictly observed.

    Section 2: Unused break time shall not be credited or accumulated in any way by the employee. Break time will not be combined with lunch break.


    ARTICLE 32 - PART-TIME EMPLOYEES

    Section 1: All part-time employees shall be paid wages based upon the rates of pay for the appropriate classification as set forth in the approved salary ranges, pro rata.

    Section 2: Part-time employees hired prior to March 1, 1996, and who work a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week are eligible for medical insurance coverage. Part-time employees who currently work less than twenty (20) hours per week and part-time employees hired on or after March 1, 1996, must work a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours per week to be eligible for medical insurance coverage. Part-time, on-call, employees shall not be eligible for medical insurance coverage.

    Section 3: Part-time employees shall be credited with pro rata sick leave, longevity, bereavement, personal leave, vacation time, holidays, and clothing allowance. Employees considered part-time, on call, shall not receive benefit leave time.

    Benefits described above for part-time employees shall be computed by dividing the number of hours worked per week by the regular department hours. This fraction will then be multiplied by the benefit number concerned to obtain a total.


    ARTICLE 33 – PROMOTIONS/OUT OF TITLE PAY

    Section 1: Promotional positions shall be filled in accordance with State Department of Personnel Rules. Notice shall be posted at the earliest possible time that a promotional vacancy is to be filled.

    Section 2: An employee at the maximum pay range for his/her class of employment shall be given the opportunity to advance to the next higher class, where available, provided there is a vacancy and provided the employee has the required qualifications and ability.

    Section 3: The following procedure shall be used to determine the salary increase upon promotion:
    a. 5% increase to the base salary, or
    b. should the 5% increase be less than the minimum of the new range, the employee shall be paid the minimum of the new range, or
    c. should the 5% increase be more than the maximum of the new range, the employee shall be paid the maximum of the new range.

    No employee shall receive a pay cut on promotion.

    Section 4: An employee serving provisionally under promotional procedures shall be paid for the provisional title effective the date of provisional appointment. If the employee fails the promotional exam or is not eligible for appointment, his/her title and salary shall revert to the previous permanent title and previous salary until eligible for appointment in the promotional title.

    Section 5 - Temporary Assignments: The purpose and intent of this section is to ensure an employee is compensated for performing duties in a higher position. It is not intended to provide additional compensation for duties, which fall adequately within an employee's current title.

    An employee required to perform the duties of a position in a higher range shall be granted a salary increase as described in Section three (3) of this article after more than ten (10) work days of such performance, retroactive to the first day. An employee may request written confirmation form his/her supervisor on the appropriate form of the title and salary before she/he performs such duties or continues to perform such duties.

    The County may conduct an internal audit of the duties to determine the appropriate title for the temporary assignment. The Union agrees that such temporary assignments are not considered a provisional or permanent promotion.

    Section 6: The Union may request a re-evaluation of any job title for the purpose of realigning the title into another job group. New titles added in the bargaining unit will be placed in the salary range in accordance with the joint job evaluation study. Should disputes arise between the County’s placement and the Union’s evaluation, the Union reserves the right to use the grievance procedure for resolution.

    The following job titles shall be re-evaluated and, if realigned into another job group, the realignment shall be made effective January 1, 2005: all nursing titles; Secretarial Assistant, Stenographer; Secretarial Assistant, Typing; Supervising Omnibus Operator; Supervising Juvenile Detention Officer; Tree Trimmer; and Senior Tree Trimmer.






    ARTICLE 34 - GRIEVANCES

    A) Definition

    A "grievance" shall mean a complaint by an employee, a group of employees or the Union:

    1. that there has been a violation, misinterpretation or inequitable application of any of the provisions of this agreement, or
    2. that employee(s) has/have been treated unfairly or inequitably by reason of any act or condition which is contrary to established County policy or administrative practice governing or effecting employees. However, any matter for which:
              a) a precise method of review is prescribed by State statute or rule having the force and effect of law; or
              b) the County is without authority to act

    shall not be permitted to go to arbitration.

    B) Procedures

    The importance of having a grievance processed as quickly as possible suggests that the number of days indicated at each level should be considered as a maximum and every effort made to expedite the process. The time limits may, however, be extended by mutual written agreement. A grievance may be filed within fifteen (15) work days of the event. The employee shall have the right to be represented by the Union Representative.

    Level 1: An employee with a grievance shall meet with his/her immediate supervisor, with the objective of resolving the matter informally. The immediate supervisor must respond to the employee’s grievance within five (5) working days. If an impasse occurs, a written grievance shall then be presented to the Division Director within five (5) working days of the immediate supervisor’s response. The employee shall be entitled to a reply, in writing, within ten (10) working days of said written grievance.

    Level 2: If the aggrieved is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Level 1, within ten (10) working days from receipt of the reply to the grievant from the Division Director, the grievant may request in writing a non-public meeting with the Department Administrator. The Department Administrator shall schedule and conduct said non-public meeting within (10) working days from the grievant request. The Department Administrator shall provide a response in writing within five (5) working days of said meeting.

    Level 3: If the grievance or dispute has not been satisfactorily resolved pursuant to Level 1 and Level 2, the Union may present it to the County Administrator within ten (10) working days from receipt of Level 2 response or ten (10) working days from the date the response was due.

    The County Administrator shall arrange a hearing on the grievance at a mutually agreeable time and place not later than ten (10) working days after receipt of the grievance. The grievant and/or the Union representative shall be allowed to present at the hearing.

    The County Administrator shall make every effort to resolve the grievance and shall present a response in writing within five (5) working days of said hearing.

    Level 4: If no settlement of the grievance or dispute has been reached between the parties, the Union may move the grievance or dispute to arbitration within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving the County Administrator’s written response, or within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the response was due.

    Arbitration: If the Union wishes to move a grievance to arbitration, it shall notify the Public Employment Relations Commission and the other party that they are moving a grievance to arbitration and request that a list of arbitrators be furnished to the employer and the Union. The arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with procedures set forth by the Public Employment Relations Commission.

    The arbitrator shall hear the matter on the evidence and within the meaning of the Agreement, and render his/her award, in writing, which shall be final and binding. The cost of the arbitrator's fee shall be borne equally by the parties.

    C. Extensions and Modifications: Time extensions may be mutually agreed to by the County and the Union, in writing.

    D. Group or Policy Grievance: A group or policy grievance or dispute shall be presented, in writing, by the Union, at the lowest step at which a settlement may be obtained.

    E. Time Limits

    1. Failure of an aggrieved party to pursue the grievance to the next step, in accordance with the time limits set forth herein, shall constitute abandonment of the grievance, unless both parties agree to extend the time period(s).
    2. Time limits may be extended by written mutual consent of the parties.
    3. Failure of the County to respond to a grievance within the time limit shall be deemed a denial of the grievance. The County shall make every reasonable effort to respond to a grievance.
    4. Failure of the Union to proceed to the next step within the time limit shall be deemed abandonment of the grievance and the decision of the County shall be deemed the final and binding resolution of the grievance.




    ARTICLE 35 - LONGEVITY

    Section 1: To be eligible for longevity, an employee must be full time and permanent. Part-time, permanent employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week or more shall be granted longevity pro rata based on the formula listed in the Article on Part-time.

    Years of completed service shall be computed on a full calendar year from January 1st to December 31st in accordance with the following schedules (schedules based on full-time employment):

    For the Years: 2005, 2006, and 2007:

    Length of Service
    2005
    2006
    2007
    5 through 9 years $ 550.00 $ 600.00 $ 650.00
    10 through 14 years $ 650.00 $ 700.00 $ 750.00
    15 through 19 years $ 800.00 $ 850.00 $ 900.00
    20 through 24 years $ 1,150.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,250.00
    25 years or more $ 1,350.00 $ 1,400.00 $ 1,450.00

    Section 2: Payment will be made in mid-December on a lump sum basis. The parties recognize that under pension regulations, longevity paid on a lump sum basis is not subject to pension contributions and, therefore, not creditable for pension purposes.

    Section 3: Any employee granted any leave of absence without pay, shall receive pro-rata longevity based upon the actual number of months worked.

    An employee who retirees in accordance with the New Jersey State Division of Pensions Regulations shall receive pro rata longevity based upon the actual number of months worked.

    An employee who terminates for reasons other than retirement shall not be granted longevity.


    ARTICLE 36 - SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL/SPECIAL COMPENSATION

    Section 1: The evening shift shall be defined as a regularly scheduled shift in which the majority of the working hours fall between 3:00 p.m. and midnight.

    The midnight shift shall be defined as a regularly scheduled shift in which the majority of the working hours fall between midnight and 8:00 a.m.

    Section 2: Employees who work the evening or midnight shift as defined above shall receive a shift differential of 4% for the evening and 7% for the midnight shift.

    Section 3: Employees who are required to be available by pager shall receive additional compensation at the per diem rate of twenty ($20.00) dollars, which compensation shall be in addition to the employee's pay for worked time. Employees who are required to be available by pager on a holiday shall receive additional compensation at the per diem rate of forty ($40.00) dollars, which compensation shall be in addition to holiday pay or pay for time worked on a holiday. An employee required to be available by pager shall receive such instruction in writing signed by his/her departmental administrator. Employees who voluntarily make themselves available by pager without written instruction shall not be eligible for additional compensation. When written instruction is not provided, wearing of a pager is not mandatory.

    Section 4: Cell phones shall be provided by the employer to employees required to carry cell phones as part of their job duties. Decision to require use of cell phone shall be at the discretion of the Department Administrator. Cell phone type and plan shall be at the discretion of the Department Administrator with the approval of the County Purchasing Agent.


    ARTICLE 37 - SALARY RANGES

    Section 1: The County agrees to establish new salary ranges in accordance with the following and as per attached Schedule A.

    a. Effective January 1, 2005, the minimum and maximum of each range shall be increased by 2.0%.
    b. Effective January 1, 2006, the minimum and maximum of each range shall be increased by 2.0%.
    c. Effective January 1, 2007, the minimum and maximum of each range shall be increased by 2.0%.


    ARTICLE 38 - WAGES

    Section 1:

    a. Effective January 1, 2005, each employee’s 2005 annual salary shall be increased by 3.75% as set forth in Section 3 below.
    b. Effective January 1, 2006, each employee’s 2006 annual salary shall be increased by 3.75%.
    c. Effective January 1, 2007, each employee’s 2007 annual salary shall be increased by 3.75%.

    A mid-year adjustment to the base salary of all full time employees and, on a pro rata basis, for part time employees as defined in Article 32, Section 2 of this Agreements shall be made as follows:
    · Effective July 1, 2005: $400.00
    · Effective July 1, 2006: $400.00
    · Effective July 1, 2007: $400.00

    Section 2: In no instance shall any employee be paid less than the minimum of the range or more than the maximum of the range. In job groups where existing employees would receive less than the 3.75% contractual increase as a result of reaching the maximum, said maximum will be increased.

    Section 3: To be eligible for the 2005 wage increase, an employee must be in the employ of the County on December 31, 2004, and in the employ of the County on the date of this agreement. This provision shall apply to any employee who terminated for reason other than retirement or death prior to the date of this Agreement. Any employee who retired prior to the date of this Agreement shall be granted pro rata salary increases for the time worked. The estate of a deceased employee who died prior to the date of this Agreement shall receive the employee’s pro rata salary increase for the time worked.


    ARTICLE 39 - PERSONNEL FILES

    Section 1: Employees shall have the right, upon two (2) days advance notice, to review the contents of his/her personnel file during normal office hours, and upon request, may have a Union Representative present. An employee is entitled to a copy of any document in the file except pre-employment documents.

    Section 2: No material derogatory to an employee shall be placed in his/her personnel file unless the employee has been provided with a copy. The employee shall acknowledge that she/he has had the opportunity to review such material by affixing his/her signature to the copy to be filed with the express understanding that such signature in no way indicates agreement with the contents thereof. The employee shall have the right to submit a written response to material and his/her response shall be included in- the file.

    Section 3: The County's Office of Employee Services is designated as the location of the "official" personnel files. Should other files be maintained, the employee shall be advised of their location and allowed an opportunity to review as outlined in Section 1 and 2.

    Section 4: The County agrees to protect the confidentiality of the information contained in each personnel file. The Union agrees that certain job-related information is public knowledge and may be released to the media upon request.


    ARTICLE 40 - COMMITTEES

    Section 1: Child Care Committee: The Union and the County agree to establish a joint labor-management study committee to investigate child care needs among County employees and possible solutions to identified problems. This shall in no way obligate the County to implement any proposed solutions.

    Section 2: A labor-management committee will be established to investigate the allocation of County vehicles to determine whether it might be feasible to assign some existing County vehicles to public health nursing.


    ARTICLE 41 - CLOTHING ALLOWANCE

    Section 1: Employees serving in the areas listed below who are employed in non-clerical positions and who would have a tendency to get their clothes soiled and/or damaged in the normal course of duty or who are required to wear special clothing and/or uniform shall receive an annual clothing allowance of $300.00 per year.

    - All Public Works Department non-clerical titles (including those in the Roads & Bridges, Fleet Management, Engineering, and Transit Divisions);
    - All Facilities & Services non-clerical titles;
    - Health and Human Services Department non-clerical titles (including those in Public Health Nursing, Environmental, and Weights & Measures.
    - All Homestead Division non-clerical titles;
    - All food service workers’ titles;
    - All custodial, maintenance, and building services titles;
    - All investigators in the Medical Examiner’s Division;

    And any other employees or group of employees which the parties hereto may mutually agree are entitled to annual clothing allowances. The parties agree to meet to draw up a specific list of job titles which shall be eligible for the clothing allowance which shall include all job titles which have in the past received the clothing.

    Section 2: Eligibility for the annual clothing allowance shall be contingent upon the following:

    a) Employees who worked twelve (12) months in the prior calendar year shall be paid the full allowance within forty-five (45) days after State approval of the County budget but no later than June 1st of each year.
    b) Employees who worked less than twelve (12) months in the prior calendar year shall receive a pro rata share of the full allowance within forty-five (45) days after State approval of the County budget but no later than June 1st of each year.

    Section 3

    a) Effective January 1, 2003, in lieu of the provisions of Section 1 above, employees serving in the areas listed below in Subsection (c) who are employed in non-clerical positions and who would have a tendency to get their clothes soiled and/or damaged in the normal course of duty shall receive a standard uniform issue and cleaning services from the uniform supplier with whom the County will have contracted.
    b) The standard uniform issue will include eleven shirts, eleven pants, two mid-weight jackets, one cap, and identification patches.

    c) Covered employees shall include:
    · All Division of Public Works non-clerical titles (including titles assigned to Roads and Bridges and Fleet Management).
    · All Division of Facilities Management non-clerical titles.
    · All mechanic-related positions in the Division of Transit.
    · Juvenile Detention Officers (Division of Youth Services) excluding two-mid-weight jackets.
    d) A labor management committee will be assembled immediately following negotiations to choose uniforms. The committee will recommend preferred uniforms to the Department Administrator. The Department Administrator will make the final decision subject to limitations of the Local Public Contracts Law, Purchasing Agent and County Administrator.
    e) The County shall pay for dress uniforms required for Academy training for employees of the Juvenile Detention Center. Cost of uniforms shall be deducted from the final paycheck of any eligible employee who resigns or is terminated from employment with the County prior to the second anniversary of said employee’s date of hire with the County.
      Section 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

      a) Within the Divisions of Public Works and Facilities Management, the County shall supply personal protective equipment that the County requires employees to wear. Examples of PPE might include but are not limited to goggles, safety vests, helmets and gloves.
      b) Effective January 1, 2003, all employees working in field assignments in these divisions shall wear protected toe shoes. These shoes shall be supplied by the County.
        Section 5: During the term of this agreement representatives of the Union and County will meet to examine the current practices and policies regarding clothing allowances and/or provision of uniforms for divisions other than those covered in Section 3 c. above. The committee will codify current practices and policies and will recommend appropriate changes, if any. At least the Division of Transit, Office of Weights and Measures, and other custodial, maintenance, building service and telecommunication titles will be subjects of this study.

          ARTICLE 42 - LICENSES

          The County recognizes that employees who post their individual license for operation of a low pressure boiler have duties specified in N.J.A.C. 12:90-3.10.


          ARTICLE 43 – TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

          All full time and regularly scheduled professional/health personnel shall be allowed, wherever possible, education leave to complete programs approved by appropriate professional boards for continuing education units or continuing certification or re-licensure and professional development and education. Requests for such leave shall be made at least one (1) month in advance and shall not be unreasonably denied.


          ARTICLE 44 - DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT

          The term of this Agreement shall be in full force and effect through December 31, 2007. The benefits in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect after termination of this Agreement and until superseded by a successor Agreement.

          No additional wage and/or increment increases shall be granted in 2008 until and unless negotiated in a successor contract.


          Signed this 11th day of May, 2005, by the duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto.

          FOR THE BOARD OF CHOSEN FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS
          FREEHOLDERS, COUNTY OF SUSSEX: WORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO

          _________________________________ _________________________________
          Glen Vetrano, Bernice L. Krawczyk, Representative
          Freeholder Director CWA Local 1032

          _________________________________ _________________________________
          Elaine A. Morgan Nancy Holleran, President, Branch 10
          Clerk of the Board CWA Local 1032

          __________________________________
          Approved as to Form: Robert Teets
          Branch 10 Vice President

          _________________________________ __________________________________
          John H. Eskilson Lynn Kellner, Chief Steward
          County Administrator
          __________________________________
          James McDonald, Chief Steward

          __________________________________
          Judy Ross, Chief Steward

          __________________________________
          Elaine Rottger, Chief Steward

          __________________________________
          Ruth Barrett, CWA Staff Representative
          CWA Local 1032
          Schedule A - 2005-2007
          Page 3
          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 1

          04651 Agency Aide
          00844 Audio Visual Aids Clerk
          01245 Clerk
          02289 Library Page
          02634 Payroll Clerk
          02976 Receptionist
          02983 Recreation Aide
          03126 Seamstress
          04150 Telephone Operator, Typing


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $9.57 $17.76 Hourly
          17,494 32,438 35 Hours
          19,993 37,062 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $9.77 $18.11 Hourly
          17,844 33,087 35 Hours
          20,393 37,803 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $9.96 $18.47 Hourly
          18,201 33,749 35 Hours
          20,801 38,559 40 Hours



          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 2

          00976 Cashier
          00981 Cashier, typing
          01273 Clinic Attendant
          01673 Docket Clerk
          02219 Laboratory Aide
          02261 Laundry Worker
          02499 Messenger
          04614 Personnel Clerk, typing
          02931 Receptionist, typing
          03777 Stock Clerk
          04237 Vault Clerk


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $10.11 $18.56 Hourly
          $18,471 $33,910 35 Hours
          $21,111 $38,753 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $10.31 $18.93 Hourly
          $18,841 $34,588 35 Hours
          $21,533 $39,528 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $10.52 $19.31 Hourly
          $19,217 $35,280 35 Hours
          $21,964 $40,318 40 Hours




          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 3

          00929 Building Maintenance Worker
          00938 Building Service Worker
          01266 Clerk Transcriber
          01268 Clerk Typist
          01313 Community Service Aide
          01675 Docket Clerk, Typing
          01864 Food Service Worker
          02091 Index Clerk
          07467 Library Assistant
          02320 Mail Clerk
          02469 Medical Records Clerk
          02504 Microfilm Operator
          05718 Receptionist/Telephone Operator
          05674 Receptionist/Telephone Operator, Typing
          03042@ Recreation Therapy Aide
          04713 Ward Clerk, Typing


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $10.68 $19.42 Hourly
          $19,504 $35,474 35 Hours
          $22,291 $40,541 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $10.89 $19.81 Hourly
          $19,895 $36,183 35 Hours
          $22,737 $41,352 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $11.11 $20.20 Hourly
          $20,292 $36,907 35 Hours
          $23,192 $42,179 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 4
          00001 Account Clerk
          00003 Account Clerk, Typing
          00933 Building Maintenance Worker-Low Pressure License
          06756 Building Maintenance Worker/Maintenance Repairer
          01260 Clerk Stenographer
          04649 Data Entry Machine Operator
          01877 Garage Attendant
          02092 Index Clerk, typing
          07468 Library Assistant, typing
          02470@ Medical Records Clerk, typing
          02640 Permit Clerk
          05471 Permit Clerk, typing
          02685 Planning Aide
          02571 Printing Machine Operator
          02958 Radio Dispatcher
          03195 Senior Audio Visual Aids Clerk
          03338 Senior Food Service Worker
          03477 Senior Microfilm Operator
          03728 Social Service Aide
          04167 Timekeeper
          05487 Word Processing Operator

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $11.24 $20.28 Hourly
          $20,543 $37,050 35 Hours
          $23,476 $42,343 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $11.47 $20.69 Hourly
          $20,954 $37,791 35 Hours
          $23,946 $43,190 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $11.70 $21.10 Hourly
          $21,373 $38,547 35 Hours
          $24,425 $44,054 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A
          JOB GROUP 5

          07462 Bridge Repairer/Road Repairer
          01347 Cook
          02111 Institutional Attendant
          02248 Laborer
          02281 Library Clerk Driver
          05472 Library Clerk Driver, Typing
          02328 Maintenance Repairer
          02953 Purchasing Assistant, Typing
          06281 Radio Dispatcher/Security Guard
          05832 Radio Dispatcher/Senior Clerk Typist
          06136 Receptionist / Senior Telephone Operator
          03090 Road Repairer
          03227 Senior Building Maintenance Worker
          03229 Senior Building Service Worker
          03247 Senior Clerk
          03255 Senior Clerk Transcriber
          03256 Senior Clerk Typist
          05180 Senior Data Entry Machine Operator
          03298 Senior Docket Clerk
          00330 Senior Docket Clerk, typing
          03376 Senior Index Clerk, typing
          03416 Senior Library Assistant
          03417 Senior Library Assistant, typing
          03424 Senior Mail Clerk
          03635 Senior Vault Clerk

          Effective JANAURY 1, 2005
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $11.86 $21.19 Hourly
          $21,663 $38,721 35 Hours
          $24,758 $44,255 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $12.09 $21.62 Hourly
          $22,096 $39,496 35 Hours
          $25,254 $45,140 40 Hours

          Effective JANAURY 1, 2007
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $12.34 $22.05 Hourly
          $22,538 $40,286 35 Hours
          $25,759 $46,043 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 6

          00295 Assessing Clerk
          00913 Bridge Repairer
          04866 Data Processing Technician
          06559 Drafting Technician
          01733 Engineering Aide
          02182 Investigator - County Adjuster's Office
          02242 Laboratory Technician
          02279 Legal Stenographer
          02285 Library Exhibit Artist
          02365 Maintenance Repairer - Low Pressure License
          02369 Maintenance Repairer - Painter
          02455 Mechanical Stores Clerk
          02515 Mosquito Identifier Specialist
          02701 Plumbers Helper
          02822 Principal Library Assistant
          02823 Principal Library Assistant, typing
          06950 Program Development Aide - Community Service
          02242 Public Health Investigator
          03228 Senior Building Maintenance - Low Pressure License
          03253 Senior Clerk Stenographer
          03274 Senior Cook
          04730 Senior Employee Benefits Clerk
          03340 Senior Garage Attendant
          03383 Senior Institutional Attendant
          03418 Senior Library Clerk Driver
          03496 Senior Payroll Clerk
          03548 Senior Purchasing Assistant, typing
          03560 Senior Recreation Therapy Aide
          03567 Senior Road Repairer
          05713 Senior Word Processing Operator
          03705 Sign Maker 2
          03779 Storekeeper
          04189 Traffic Maintenance Worker
          04201 Trainee, Weights & Measurer
          04220 Tree Trimmer
          04222 Truck Driver
          04332 Youth Aide



          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 6 (Continued):

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $12.60 $22.34 Hourly
          $23,013 $40,814 35 Hours
          $26,302 $46,646 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $12.85 $22.79 Hourly
          $23,474 $41,631 35 Hours
          $26,828 $47,579 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $13.10 $23.24 Hourly
          $23,943 $42,463 35 Hours
          $27,364 $48,530 40 Hours


          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 7

          00445 Assistant County Superintendent of Weights & Measurers
          00970 Carpenter
          01297 Communications Operator
          06990 Communications Operator / Timekeeper
          05008 Juvenile Detention Officer
          05594 Omnibus Operator
          02593 Paralegal Specialist
          02773 Principal Clerk
          05178 Principal Data Entry Machine Operator
          02791 Principal Docket Clerk
          02792 Principal Docket Clerk, typing
          01296@ Public Safety Telecommunicator
          03165 Senior Account Clerk
          03168 Senior Account Clerk, typing
          03189@ Senior Assessing Clerk
          03222 Senior Bridge Repairer
          03405 Senior Legal Stenographer
          03425 Senior Maintenance Repairer
          03430 Senior Maintenance Repairer - Electrician
          03439 Senior Maintenance Repairer - Low Pressure License
          03512 Senior Planning Aide
          03588 Senior Sign Designer, Letterer & Processor
          04625 Senior Traffic Maintenance Worker
          04624 Senior Traffic Maintenance Worker / Sign Maker 2
          04732 Senior Youth Aide
          03904 Supervising Library Assistant
          03905 Supervising Library Assistant, typing
          04226 Truck Driver, Heavy
          04305 Welder

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $13.55 $23.77 Hourly
          $24,763 $43,435 35 Hours
          $28,299 $49,638 40 Hours





          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 7 (Continued)


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $13.82 $24.25 Hourly
          $25,258 $44,303 35 Hours
          $28,865 $50,631 40 Hours



          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $14.10 $24.73 Hourly
          $25,763 $45,189 35 Hours
          $29,442 $51,644 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A
          JOB GROUP 8

          03065 Agricultural Resource Specialist III
          01706 Electrician
          01746 Equipment Operator
          01842 Fire Instructor
          02105 Inspector, Mosquito Extermination
          04477 Investigator Penal Institution
          07675 Legal Secretary
          02288 Library Intern
          02434 Mechanic
          02762 Principal Assessing Clerk
          02757 Principal Clerk Transcriber
          02755 Principal Account Clerk
          02757 Principal Account Clerk, typing
          02781 Principal Clerk Typist
          04936 Principal Employee Benefits Clerk
          07063 Principal Employee Benefits Clerk, Typing
          02781 Principal Index Clerk
          02757 Principal Index Clerk, typing
          02831 Principal Payroll Clerk
          04737 Principal Payroll Clerk, typing
          02933 Public Work's Inspector
          03101 Sanitary Inspector Trainee
          03631 Senior Tree Trimmer

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $14.58 $25.24 Hourly
          $26,638 $46,108 35 Hours
          $30,445 $52,695 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $14.87 $25.74 Hourly
          $27,171 $47,030 35 Hours
          $31,054 $53,749 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $15.17 $26.26 Hourly
          $27,715 $47,971 35 Hours
          $31,675 $54,824 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 9

          00354 Assistant Chief Clerk
          00438 Assistant Coordinator of Volunteers
          07337 Assistant Supervising Maintenance Repairer
          07347 Assistant Supervising Maintenance Repairer - Low Pressure License
          01952 Head Cook
          02001 Heavy Equipment Operator
          02106 Inspector, Road Openings
          07569 Librarian
          07570 Librarian, Children’s
          07571 Librarian, Reference
          02440 Mechanic - Diesel
          02693 Plumber
          02750 Practical Nurse
          03128 Secretarial Assistant, Stenographer
          04364 Secretarial Assistant, typing
          06560 Senior Drafting Technician
          03322 Senior Engineering Aide
          03336 Senior Fire Instructor
          05109 Senior Juvenile Detention Officer
          03459 Senior Mechanic
          03262@ Senior Public Safety Telecommunicator
          05019 Social Worker, Aging
          03741 Social Worker Juvenile Rehabilitation
          07913 Social Worker Nursing Home
          06466 Supervisor, Building Service
          06468 Supervisor, Building Service - Low Pressure License
          06904 Technical Assistant Land Use
          04180 Traffic Analyst
          04203 Training Officer


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $15.61 $26.86 Hourly $28,514 $49,084 35 Hours
          $32,588 $59,279 40 Hours




          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 9 (Continued)

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $15.92 $27.40 Hourly
          $29,084 $50,066 35 Hours
          $33,240 $60,465 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $16.24 $27.95 Hourly
          $29,666 $51,067 35 Hours
          $33,905 $61,674 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A
          JOB GROUP 10

          00112 Administrative Secretary
          00004 Accountant
          00010 Administrative Analyst
          00020 Administrative Clerk
          06458 Assistant Food Service Manager
          06655 Assistant Supervisor of Roads
          00940 Building Superintendent
          00960 Buyer
          01037 Chief Clerk
          01177 Chief of Survey Party
          03171 Coordinator of Volunteers
              03176 GIS Specialist III
              01387 Counselor Penal institution
              07528 Environment Health Specialist
              03176 GIS Specialist III
              02105 Investigator, County Medical
              06197 Patient Activity Coordinator
              06561 Principal Drafting Technician
              06407 Program Development Specialist - Aging
              06930 Program Development Specialist - Community Service
              03040 Recreation Therapist
              03097 Sanitary Inspector
              03524 Senior Practical Nurse
              03859 Supervising Clerk
              03864@Supervising Clerk Typist
              05110 Supervising Juvenile Detention Officer
          5600 Supervising Omnibus Operator
              03865@ Supervising Public Safety Telecommunicator

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $16.71 $28.46 Hourly
          $30,532 $51,990 35 Hours
          $34,895 $59,417 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $17.05 $29.03 Hourly
          $31,142 $53,030 35 Hours
          $35,593 $60,605 40 Hours
          SCHEDULE A
          JOB GROUP 10 (Continued)


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $17.39 $29.61 Hourly
          $31,765 $54,091 35 Hours
          $36,305 $61,817 40 Hours



          SCHEDULE A
          JOB GROUP 11
          00562 Assistant Head Nurse
          00654 Assistant Planner
          01129 Chief Fire Instructor
          01280 Clinical Psychologist
          04919 County Critical Infrastructure Coordinator
          01474 Data Processing Programmer
          01534 Dietician
          06456 Food Service Manager
          01926 Graduate Nurse
          01930 Graduate Nurse - Public Health
          02804 Principal Engineering Aide
          04698 Principal Engineering Aide / Traffic Enumerator
          02916 Public Health Nutritionist
          03392 Senior Investigator - County Medical Examiners Officer
          03622 Senior Traffic Analyst
          03848 Supervising Account Clerk
          06592 Supervising Bridge Repairer
          07338 Supervising Maintenance Repairer
          07340 Supervising Maintenance Repairer - Low Pressure License
          06482 Supervisor, Trees
          06816 Supervisor, Traffic Maintenance
          03969 Supervisor of Accounts
          06575 Supervisor Asphalt
          04019 Supervisor of Garage Services
          06654 Supervisor of Roads

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $17.84 $30.19 Hourly
          $32,604 $55,159 35 Hours
          $37,250 $63,038 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $18.20 $30.79 Hourly
          $33,256 $56,262 35 Hours
          $37,995 $64,299 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007
          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $18.56 $31.41 Hourly
          $33,922 $57,387 35 Hours
          $38,755 $65,585 40 Hours
          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 12

          00519 Assistant Engineer - Civil
          05292 Bridge Construction/Road Inspector
          07003 Counselor, Victim Witness Program
          02387 Maintenance Supervisor
          02727 Public Information Officer
          03380 Senior Inspector Mosquito Examiner
          03406 Senior Librarian
          03410 Senior Librarian, Children’s
          03413 Senior Librarian, Reference



          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $18.92 $31.86 Hourly
          $34,565 $58,201 35 Hours
          $39,504 $66,517 40 Hours


          Effective January 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $19.30 $32.49 Hourly
          $35,256 $59,365 35 Hours
          $40,294 $67,848 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $19.68 $33.14 Hourly
          $35,961 $60,553 35 Hours
          $41,100 $69,205 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 13

          01142 Chief Inspector Mosquito Extermination
          01338 Construction Inspector
          01857 Fiscal Officer
          01960 Head Nurse
          02390 Management Specialist
          02820 Principal Librarian
          04507 Principal Librarian, Children’s
          02821 Principal Librarian, Reference
          06382 Records Manager
          03510 Senior Planner
          06931 Senior Program Development Specialist - Community
          03569 Senior Sanitary Inspector


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $20.02 $33.50 Hourly
          $36,586 $61,206 35 Hours
          $41,814 $69,949 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $20.43 $34.17 Hourly
          $37,318 $62,430 35 Hours
          $42,650 $71,348 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $20.83 $34.85 Hourly
          $38,064 $63,679 35 Hours
          $43,503 $72,774 40 Hours



          SCHEDULE A

          JOB GROUP 14

          53246 Data Processing Analyst
          04586 Executive Assistant
          07917 Head Nurse / Instructor of In-Service Nursing
          01981 Health Educator
          02753 Instructor In-Service Nursing
          02255 Land Surveyor
          10107 Network Administrator I
          02848 Principal Sanitary Inspector
          53101 Principal Technician, Management Information Systems
          62865D Public Health Consultant I (Health Educator)
          02192 Public Health Nurse
          03295 Senior Data Processing Programmer
          03315 Senior Engineer - Civil
          03604 Senior System Analyst
          07604 Telecommunication System Analyst



          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $21.12 $35.18 Hourly
          $38,594 $64,276 35 Hours
          $44,108 $73,457 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $21.55 $35.88 Hourly
          $39,366 $65,562 35 Hours
          $44,990 $74,926 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $21.98 $36.60 Hourly
          $40,153 $66,873 35 Hours
          $45,890 $76,425 40 Hours


          SCHEDULE A


          JOB GROUP 15

          00769 Assistant Supervisor of Nurses
          01205 Chief Sanitary Inspector
          01599 Director of Food Service
          02837 Principal Planner
          05711 Program Specialist, Special Child Health Services
          03536 Senior Public Health Nurse
          03902 Supervising Librarian
          04595 Supervising Librarian, Reference
          04184 Traffic Engineer


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $22.23 $36.84 Hourly
          $40,624 $67,304 35 Hours
          $46,425 $76,919 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $22.68 $37.58 Hourly
          $41,436 $68,650 35 Hours
          $47,354 $78,458 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $23.13 $38.33 Hourly
          $42,265 $70,023 35 Hours
          $48,301 $80,027 40 Hours



          SCHEDULE A


          JOB GROUP 16

          00667 Assistant Public Health Nurse Supervisor
          03067 Agricultural Resource Specialist I
          06241 Nurse Practitioner - Pediatric
          07493 Senior Program Specialist Special Child Health


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $23.33 $38.50 Hourly
          $42,629 $70,341 35 Hours
          $48,719 $80,388 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $23.80 $39.27 Hourly
          $43,481 $71,748 35 Hours
          $49,694 $81,996 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $24.28 $40.06 Hourly
          $44,351 $73,183 35 Hours
          $50,688 $83,636 40 Hours



          SCHEDULE A


          JOB GROUP 17

          07494 Coordinator, Special Child Health Service Program
          02796 Principal Engineer – Civil
          01745 Public Health Epidemiologist
          02915 Public Health Nurse Supervisor
          05137 Supervising Planner
          04041 Supervisor Nurses



          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $24.44 $40.06 Hourly
          $44,644 $73,194 35 Hours
          $51,024 $83,652 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $24.93 $40.86 Hourly
          $45,537 $74,658 35 Hours
          $52,045 $85,325 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $25.43 $41.68 Hourly
          $46,448 $76,151 35 Hours
          $53,086 $87,032 40 Hours


          SCHEDULE A


          JOB GROUP 18

          07378 Chief Librarian





          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $25.63 $42.00 Hourly
          $46,820 $76,741 35 Hours
          $53,509 $87,706 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $26.14 $42.84 Hourly
          $47,756 $78,276 35 Hours
          $54,579 $89,460 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $26.66 $43.70 Hourly
          $48,712 $79,841 35 Hours
          $55,671 $91,249 40 Hours


          SCHEDULE A


          JOB GROUP 19

          00212 Administrative Supervisor of Nurses
          03177 GIS Specialist 1
          04671 Supervising Engineer - Highway & Bridges



          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $26.86 $45.56 Hourly
          $49,068 $83,238 35 Hours
          $56,078 $94,917 40 Hours

          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $27.39 $46.47 Hourly
          $50,049 $84,903 35 Hours
          $57,199 $96,815 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $27.94 $47.40 Hourly
          $51,050 $86,601 35 Hours
          $58,343 $98,752 40 Hours

          SCHEDULE A



          JOB GROUP 20

          07782 Chief Engineer




          Effective JANUARY 1, 2005

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $28.09 $47.75 Hourly
          $58,661 $99,694 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2006

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $28.66 $48.70 Hourly
          $59,834 $101,688 40 Hours


          Effective JANUARY 1, 2007

          Minimum Maximum Hours
          $29.23 $49.68 Hourly
          $61,031 $103,721 40 Hours


          Sussex Cty and CWA Loc 1032 2005.pdf