ET Seniority – Occupational Group or Installation?

Posted on by 21cpw User Post

Four ETs recently voluntarily transferred into a small plant from four different offices which were being consolidated within 2011-2012. These four ETs brought with them many years of experience, training, and knowledge.
A Custodian/MOS Clerk qualified as an ET a few months ago and was placed in a residual vacancy on Tour-1.

Now here is the question: How is seniority determined in filling future preferred assignments, training, and choice annual leave?  There is a huge disagreement as to how seniority is determined. The new ET is claiming his seniority in the Maintenance Craft (Custodial/MOS Clerk) at this installation allows him to move ahead of several other ETs in seniority at this plant. Some of the other ETs contend when he entered this occupational group (ET) he goes to the bottom in seniority. Management and the Union are checking into the situation and still haven’t determined how to assign seniority.

If anyone has any information or advice please feel free to post it here or email me.
Thanks.

5 thoughts on “ET Seniority – Occupational Group or Installation?”

  1. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    Tri-County Ohio Area Local #7038
    Office held, if any
    Steward

    There are two (2) types of Seniority. Installation Seniority is used for preferred duty assignments (bidding). Installation Seniority starts when you enter an installation. An exception is if you are involuntarily excessed, then you bring your Installation Seniority with you (but not the “grandfathered” seniority).

    Service Seniority is used for everything else. Vacation selection, overtime rotation, training opportunities, etc. Service Seniority is all time in the maintenance craft regardless of the installation.

    You do not have to like the seniority rules. You do not have to agree with the seniority rules. You just have to follow the seniority rules as they are defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If you want to change the rules, then get the majority of the locals to agree at the next convention. Then during the next contract maybe they can be changed. Not much chance of that happening.

  2. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU Grand Junction Local 600

    I do not understand, and have a few questions.
    1) If installation seniority is all that matters, then why even have an ET roster?
    2) How can years spent doing a completely different job (within the maintenance craft even), count as time as an ET?
    3) In what universe does it make sense that a guy start his new occupation / pay level at the top of the list from day one, jumping over 6 guys who have already been ETs for years??

  3. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    NY Metro
    Office held, if any
    Shop Steward

    The custodian is senior. Occupational seniority means absolutely nothing.

  4. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    Southwest Coastal Area Local
    Office held, if any
    Retiree Chapter President

    Bidding is done in accordance with Article 38 Section 2:

    38.2.F. Installation Seniority. This seniority is computed from entry into the maintenance craft in the installation. It continues to accrue so long as service in the maintenance craft and installation is uninterrupted.

    38.2.G. Seniority for Preferred Assignments. This seniority determines relative standing among regular work force
    employees eligible to bid for preferred assignments.

    1. Employees who enter into a regular work force position in a particular occupational group and level prior to June 25, 1992, shall have seniority for preferred assignments computed from entry into regular work force position in a particular occupational group and level. It continues to accrue so long as service in the same occupational group and level, and installation is uninterrupted. See section 5.A.3. of this Article for order of placement on preferred assignment registers.

    2. Employees who enter into a regular work force position in a particular occupational group and level on or after June 25, 1992, shall use installation seniority for preferred assignments. See section 5.A.3. of this Article for order of placement on preferred assignments registers.

    One major point you have involved is ET’s were excessed into your office. When an employee is excessed they bring their seniority with them.

    All Maintenance Union Reps should ensure the seniority is correct.

  5. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    GSAL 28
    Office held, if any
    Maintenance Craft Director

    The transferees start a new round of seniority. Your Custodian/MOS clerk who made ET keeps his/her installation seniority. Installation seniority – We no longer use occupational group seniority and everything is governed by installation seniority.

    Article 38.2.F & G states:

    F. Installation Seniority. This seniority is computed from entry into the maintenance craft in the installation. It continues to accrue so long as service in the maintenance craft and installation is uninterrupted.

    G. Seniority for Preferred Assignments. This seniority determines relative standing among regular work force employees eligible to bid for preferred assignments.

    1. Employees who enter into a regular work force position in a particular occupational group and level prior to June 25, 1992, shall have seniority for preferred assignments computed from entry into regular work force position in a particular occupational group and level. It continues to accrue so long as service in the same occupational group and level, and installation is uninterrupted. See section 5.A.3. of this Article for order of placement on preferred assignment registers.

    2. Employees who enter into a regular work force position in a particular occupational group and level on or after June 25, 1992, shall use installation seniority for preferred assignments. See section 5.A.3. of this Article for order of placement on preferred assignments registers.

    Article 38.3.E states:

    2. Change from one postal installation to another; except as specified under F and I below, will require the start of a new period of seniority for preferred assignment.

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