185 Agreement

ARTICLE 8- SENIORITY

Section 8.1 Definition

For the purposes of this Article, “seniority” is defined as a bargaining unit employee’s total length of continuous service with the University dating from the employee’s most recent date of hire as a Police Officer covered by this Agreement.

Section 8.2a Initial Evaluation Period – Non-Certified Police Officers

All new non-certified employees shall be placed in an initial evaluation period (IEP) during the first eighteen (18) months of their employment with the University. During the IEP, all new employees will satisfactorily complete all required training and become a Police Officer certified pursuant to the laws of Illinois. The University may discharge or otherwise discipline, lay off, transfer or assign such employees with or without cause, and such actions shall be at the sole discretion of the University. The University’s exercise of its discretion with respect to IEP employees shall not be subject to review. The seniority date for IEP employees who complete their initial evaluation period will be from their first day of employment with the University.

If an employee hired as a non-certified Police Officer II (P-II) fails to become certified during the IEP, the University may extend the IEP for an additional six (6) months so that the employee may satisfactorily complete all required training and certification requirements. The cost of retaking training offered outside the University will be borne by the employee.

All such IEP Officers will be eligible for Bereavement, Jury Duty, Sick Leave, Vacation and Short Term Disability after the completion of one (1) year of service.

Section 8.2b Initial Evaluation Period – Non-Certified Police Officers

All new certified employees shall be placed in an initial evaluation period (IEP) during the first twelve (12) months of their employment with the University. During the IEP, all new certified employees will successfully complete all required training and remain a Police Officer certified pursuant to the laws of Illinois. The University may discharge or otherwise discipline, lay off, transfer or assign such employees with or without cause, and such actions shall be at the sole discretion of the University. The University’s exercise of its discretion with respect to IEP employees shall not be subject to review. The seniority date for certified IEP employees who complete their initial evaluation period will be from their first day of employment with the University.

If an employee hired as a certified Police Officer II (P-II) fails to complete the requisite training and requirements to remain certified during his/her IEP, then such employee shall be terminated.

Section 8.3 Reduction in Force

In effectuating reductions in force within the bargaining unit, the following factors shall be considered:

1. ability, skill, disciplinary record, performance record, training record and qualifications to satisfactorily perform the work; and
2. seniority.

Where two or more employees have equal ability, skill, disciplinary record, performance record and equal qualifications to satisfactorily perform a particular job, seniority shall be the controlling factor.

Employees must satisfactorily complete all required training and education as set forth by the University’s Police Department. Furthermore, employees will be required to take any and all tests which relate to their ability to perform the duties of their positions.

Section 8.4 P-V Classification and Master Patrolman MP-IV Classification

The University, in its discretion, will determine when there is a need for a Police Officer to fill these positions. Police Officers who desire to be considered for such positions will complete and submit a job position preference form (Appendix E), which will be provided by the University. Such preference form will be maintained by the University for one year. A Police Officer may renew his/her preference request at any time upon the expiration of the preference. When the University determines that it has a need for a P-V Police Officer, it will consider the Police Officers who have filed job position preferences which are active. The University will select the Police Officer in accordance with the factors set forth in Section 8.3, above. Officers will be promoted to the Master Patrolman MP-IV classification at the discretion of the University.

Section 8.5 Termination of Seniority

An employee’s seniority and the employment relationship with the University shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:

1. resignation;
2. retirement;
3. discharge;
4. absence for three (3) consecutive work days without notification to the University of the reason for the absence, or violation of department call-in procedures during such period;
5. failure to return to work from layoff within five (5) days after receiving notice of recall and failure to notify the University within three (3) days after receiving notice of recall of his/her intention to return to work;
6. failure to report for work at the termination of a leave of absence or vacation;
7. laid off or absent because of illness or injury for a period of eighteen (18) months, or the length of his/her seniority, whichever is less; or
8. employed while on an authorized leave of absence.