Local 73 Agreement

ARTICLE 10 - POSTING OF VACANCIES

Section 10.1

The University shall bring to the attention of its employees new positions and vacancies by posting these positions daily in electronic format for a period of at least seven (7) calendar days.

Notices shall identify the vacant job by requisition number, the posting date and the date the job will be taken off positing, the name of the department, location of the job, the title, working hours and the rate of pay.

Whenever a new position is created that is known to be of more than one-hundred twenty (120) calendar days duration, it shall be posted as a regular position. If a temporary position continues to exist for more than one-hundred twenty (120) calendar days, it shall be posted as a regular position, except, when the position provides coverage for a disabled employee on extended sick leave, short-term disability, long-term disability or workers compensation. In that case, the temporary position shall be posted once it is determined that the disabled employee will be unable to return to work.

Section 10.2

Employee resumes should be submitted during the posting period in a format provided by the University. Additional relevant records, recommendations and transcripts may be required or furnished at the time of interview.

Section 10.3

It is the policy of the University to fill job vacancies where possible by promoting qualified employee applicants from within the University. The University will consider employees represented by the Union prior to considering other applicants to fill vacancies in job classifications covered by this Agreement. The University reserves the right, nevertheless, to determine if the employee concerned possesses the relevant skills and the physical fitness, ability and training to fill the position.

Section 10.4

Vacated or new positions shall be filled, to the extent that qualified workers are available, on the basis of seniority as defined in Article 7. The order of consideration in filling a vacated or new position shall be as follows:

First, applicants in a lower classification within the occupational group in which the vacancy occurs, in the order of their seniority in that group;

Second, applicants in a lower classification within the same occupational group within the Department;

Third, applicants from other occupational groups within the bargaining unit;

Fourth, applicants from other Local 73, S.E.I.U. University of Chicago or University of Chicago Hospitals bargaining units;

Fifth, applicants from outside the bargaining unit.

Section 10.5

In considering applicants, corrective actions that have been issued within the previous six (6) months will be evaluated by the department considering the applicant along with performance appraisals and the recommendation of the present department. The corrective action process will not be interrupted by any promotion or transfer. Disagreement as to the skill, training and ability shall be subject to the grievance procedure.

Section 10.6

When a University of Chicago Hospitals Skilled Unit employee applies and accepts a position or accepts a position through the layoff procedure covered by this Agreement, then the University shall recognize that employee’s combined seniority and accumulated leave days for the purposes covered by this Agreement. These employees will immediately become eligible for all rights and benefits available to other members of the University of Chicago Skilled Trades Bargaining Unit, without serving a new qualifying period. To insure coverage the employee must verify his/her benefit plans with the Staff Benefits Office within 30 calendar days of the transfer.

Employees who transfer from the University of Chicago Skilled Trades Bargaining Unit to a University of Chicago Hospitals Bargaining Unit position under the terms of the two (2) Agreements shall retain coverage of their current University benefit plans until they are covered by the Hospitals benefit plans.

Section 10.7

An applicant who applies for and accepts a voluntary lateral transfer under the provisions of this Section shall not be permitted to apply for or accept another such position for a period of one-hundred eighty (180) days from the date of his/her first day of work in the position for which s/he applied and was accepted. This provision shall not be construed so as to prevent advancement.

Section 10.8

When an employee has been selected by the University to fill a vacated or new position, changes shall occur only at the beginning of a pay period and, unless otherwise agreed to by the employee and the supervisor(s), the employee must be released after one (1) full pay period.

The hiring department will issue written notification to each employee interviewed, identifying the reason or reasons the employee was not selected to fill the position.

Section 10.9

An employee who receives a promotion or transfer to another classification will have a probationary period not to exceed one-hundred twenty (120) calendar days in the new position. Should the employee absent him/herself during the probationary period, it shall automatically be extended for the period equal to such absence. The parties agree that the employee should be oriented, trained, and apprised of his/her progress and shortcomings on his/her new job during the period immediately following promotion or transfer. If within the probationary period it is determined by the University that s/he is unable to perform the work of the new position satisfactorily, s/he shall be returned to his/her former position without loss of seniority no later than the end of such period. The probationary period may be extended by mutual agreement, in writing, between the parties -- the University and the Union -- and a copy of said agreement shall be furnished to the employee. The employee may elect to return to his/her former position within sixty (60) calendar days.

Section 10.10

Where job-related tests are required, they will be used to pre-qualify a job seeker for promotion. Such individuals who have not taken such test(s) will not be considered for the position until testing is completed and a passing score is attained. Such tests must have been passed within the previous six (6) months. Tests may be re-taken after thirty (30) days have elapsed from the previously-taken test. Employees who seek positions requiring pre-qualifying tests shall be given the opportunity to take such tests prior to the position being filled. The University agrees to a fourteen- (14) day period after the job’s closing date for the testing and pre-qualification of employee job seekers.