What is a collective bargaining agreement?

The collective bargaining agreement does not allow the employer to move employees between jobs or departments?

• The collective bargaining agreement does not allow the employer to move employees between jobs or departments except when permanent vacancies occur or new jobs are created and, even then, only after allowing employees to bid on the position. Because of layoffs and lack of work, the employer wants to be able to move employees between jobs, if they are qualified, to fill short term vacancies caused by absences, back-up in work flow and other temporary situations. The union is open to the idea, but is concerned about people being moved several times a day and for extended periods. What language can you suggest in negotiations to address this issue:?

• Answer:

  No person shall be moved from their primary position to another position, or from one position to another, more than once per 4 hour time frame. No person shall be forced to moved from their primary position to another for more than 50% of the hours they work in a single month. Employees may however volunteer to do so if they desire. All hourly employees shall be required to work in other positions that they have been properly trained and oriented for as the need arises in the opinion of the management. All hourly employees shall also be compensated for working in another department or position than their primary position by being pain an additional $2.00 per hour for all hour working in the non-primary position.