Filling of Positions 1. When a position is open in any classification in the Maintenance Department, except for Supervisor, a notice shall be posted on all department bulletin boards for not less than five (5) days before the position is filled, and any employee in the Maintenance Department may make application to their Supervisor in writing before the notice expires. The position will be filledaccording to established seniority in the classification called for, qualifications considered. Employees trying out in a new position shall have a reasonable period to qualify; this to be determined by the Director of Maintenance and/or his/herdesignees, and the Officers of the Union and/or their designees. 2. When the hours of a new position posted and bid on are afterwards changed, all positions below the holder of such position shall be reopened for bid according to seniority as defined in Paragraph 1. It is further agreed that for the purposes of vacation relief, so the maximum number of vacations possible to grant may be had during the period of school vacations and for seasonal hunting periods, this paragraph shall be inoperative. It is further understood and agreed that in arranging vacation relief, regular assigned days off will be maintained. A new sign-up shall take place at the request of the representative of the Union. 3. Employees filling the position of one receiving a higher rate of pay shall receive the higher rate providing they are capable of performing the work of the higher classification, and the change is made for a period of three (3) days or more. They shall then receive the higher rate when filling this position in the future. Seniority in classification shall not begin until the employee has bid for and qualified in a regularly posted position in that classification. However, employees hired directly from the outside into 4. It is understood and agreed that in filling vacancies that are not filled by promotion within the Department, preference will be given to employees or laid off employees of the Facilities Maintenance or Stores Departments. Such vacancies will be posted on all department bulletin boards for five (5) days. If unable to fill the vacancy, it may be filled according to seniority within the District. Following selection, District employees shall receive preference for all bidding purposes over employees hired from the outside.
Abandonment of Position An employee who fails to report for duty for three consecutive working days without informing the Employer of the reason for their absence will be presumed to have abandoned their position. An employee will be afforded the opportunity within 10 days to rebut such presumption and demonstrate that there were reasonable grounds for not informing the Employer.