Agreement Between

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED STEELWORKERS

 

AFL-CIO-CLC

 

On behalf of USW

 

AMALGAMATED LOCAL #4

 

 

and

 

 

ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION

Quarry Division

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 25, 2009 - April 27, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

AGREEMENT .............................................................................................................................. 4

ARTICLE 1Term .......................................................................................................................... 4

            1.1 Term ............................................................................................................................. 4

ARTICLE 2 Hours of Work - Overtime ...................................................................................... 4

            2.1 Hours ........................................................................................................................... 4

            2.2 Overtime and Premium Pay ........................................................................................ 4

            2.3 Call-In Pay ................................................................................................................... 5

            2.4 Subcontract .................................................................................................................. 5

            2.5 Absence from Work .................................................................................................... 5

ARTICLE 3 Interdivisional Job Opportunities ........................................................................... 5

            3.1 Layoff .......................................................................................................................... 5

            3.2 Maintenance Operations ............................................................................................ 6

ARTICLE 4 Wages ....................................................................................................................... 6

            4.1 Wage Increases and Minimum Wages ...................................................................... 6

            4.1(a) Job categories ......................................................................................................... 6

            4.2 Maintenance of Personal Rate ................................................................................... 7

            4.3 Learner and Bid Rate ................................................................................................. 7

            4.4 Wage Adjustment ....................................................................................................... 7

            4.5 Period of Experience ................................................................................................... 8

            4.6 Shift Differential ......................................................................................................... 8

            4.7 Supplemental Provisions ..............................................................................................8

            4.8 Partners in Productivity Program ............................................................................. 10

            4.9 Jury Duty ................................................................................................................... 11

ARTICLE 5 Military Service ..................................................................................................... 11

            5.1 Military Service ......................................................................................................... 11

ARTICLE 6 Holidays ................................................................................................................. 11

            6.1 Paid Holidays ............................................................................................................ 11

ARTICLE 7 Vacation ................................................................................................................. 12

            7.1 General ...................................................................................................................... 12

            7.2 Vacation Payments ................................................................................................... 14

            7.3 Amount of Vacation .................................................................................................. 14

ARTICLE 8 Bereavement/Birth of a Child .............................................................................. 16

            8.1 Bereavement Pay ..................................................................................................... 16

            8.2 Birth of a Child ......................................................................................................... 16

            8.3 Five (5) Days ............................................................................................................. 16

            8.4 One (1) Day ............................................................................................................... 16

ARTICLE 9 Group Insurance ................................................................................................... 16

            9.1 Group Insurance ....................................................................................................... 16

            9.2 Benefits ..................................................................................................................... 16

            9.3 Contributions ............................................................................................................. 18

            9.4 Disability .................................................................................................................... 19

            9.5 Retired Employees .................................................................................................... 19

            9.6 Consultant .................................................................................................................. 19

 

 

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            9.7 Insurance Objectives ................................................................................................ 19

            9.8 Delinquency ............................................................................................................... 19

            9.9 Workers Compensation ............................................................................................ 20

ARTICLE 10 Pension Plan Agreement ...................................................................................... 20

            10.1 Merger of the Pension Plan .....................................................................................20

            10.2 Incorporated Documents .........................................................................................20

            10.3 Contribution Rate ................................................................................................... 20

            10.4 Covered Employees..................................................................................................21

            10.5 Hours Worked...........................................................................................................21

            10.6 Payment of Contributions.........................................................................................21

            10.7 Coverage - Newly Hired Employees Not Previously Covered............................. 21

            10.8 Coverage - Newly Hired Employees Who Were Previously Covered.................. 21

            10.9 Contribution Reports and Data................................................................................ 21

            10.10 Delinquent Employers.............................................................................................21

ARTICLE 11 401(k) Plan ........................................................................................................... 22

            11.1 401 (k) Plan .............................................................................................................. 22

ARTICLE 12 Seniority ............................................................................................................... 22

            12.1 Seniority ................................................................................................................... 22

            12.2 Seniority Rosters ..................................................................................................... 24

            12.3 General Leave of Absence ...................................................................................... 24

            12.4 Transferring out of the Bargaining Unit ................................................................. 24

            12.5 New Employees ....................................................................................................... 24

            12.6 Seasonal Winter Layoff .......................................................................................... 24

            12.7 Quarry Preference.....................................................................................................25

ARTICLE 13 Bonus Plan ........................................................................................................... 26

            13.1 Bonus Plan ............................................................................................................... 26

            13.2 Bonus Plan Payments .............................................................................................. 26

ARTICLE 14 Union Security ...................................................................................................... 27

            14.1 Mandatory Membership ......................................................................................... 27

            14.2 Location of Stewards ............................................................................................... 27

ARTICLE 15 Check-Off ............................................................................................................. 27

            15.1 Check-Off ................................................................................................................. 27

            15.2 Close-Out ................................................................................................................. 27

            15.3 Dues Penalty..............................................................................................................27

ARTICLE 16 Dispute Settlement .............................................................................................. 28

            16.1 Dispute Steps ........................................................................................................... 28

            16.2 Company Grievances .............................................................................................. 28

            16.3 Signed Grievances ................................................................................................... 28

            16.4 Rules ......................................................................................................................... 29

ARTICLE 17 Reserve for Inclement Weather - Power Failure ................................................ 29

            17.1 Reserve Hours ......................................................................................................... 29

            17.2 Power Failure ........................................................................................................... 30

ARTICLE 18 Non-discrimination ............................................................................................... 30

            18.1 Non-discrimination .................................................................................................. 30

 

 

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ARTICLE 19 Union Representatives ........................................................................................ 31

            19.1 Union Representatives ............................................................................................ 31

ARTICLE 20 Suspension of Operations .................................................................................... 31

            20.1 Suspension Notice ....................................................................................................31

ARTICLE 21 LABOR MANAGEMENT TEAM ..................................................................... 31

            21.1 LMT Formation ....................................................................................................... 31

ARTICLE 22 Safety Rules ......................................................................................................... 32

            22.1 Safety Issues ............................................................................................................ 32

            22.2 Safety Glasses .......................................................................................................... 32

            22.3 Safety Shoes and Gloves .......................................................................................... 32

            22.4 Rock Drilling ............................................................................................................. 33

ARTICLE 23 Management's Rights ........................................................................................... 33

            23.1 Management Rights ................................................................................................. 33

ARTICLE 24 Temporary Transfers ............................................................................................ 33

            24.1 Temporary Transfers ............................................................................................... 34

ARTICLE 25 Smoking ................................................................................................................. 34

            25.1 Smoking Policy ......................................................................................................... 34

ARTICLE 26 Discipline/Discharge ............................................................................................ 34

            26.1 Discipline & Discharge ........................................................................................... 34

            26.2 Written Warnings .................................................................................................... 34

ARTICLE 27 Summer Employees ............................................................................................. 35

            27.1 Summer Help ........................................................................................................... 35

ARTICLE 28 Bethel Quarry........................................................................................................35

            28.1 Bethel Quarry Travel Expense.................................................................................35

 

SIGNATORY PAGE ....................................................................................................................36

 

HOLIDAY CALENDAR...............................................................................................................37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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AGREEMENT

 

Agreement entered into as of  April 25, 2009  by and between ROCK OF AGES Corp. - Quarry Division  ("The Company"), its successors and assigns, and the UNITED STEELWORKERS, AFL-CIO‑CLC, on behalf of Amalgamated Local #4  ("The Union"). In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

 

 

ARTICLE 1

Term

 

1.1 Term

 

This Agreement shall be effective April 25, 2009 and shall continue in full force and effect through April 27, 2012 and from year to year thereafter, unless either party gives notice to the other, not less than sixty (60) days prior to April 27, 2012 or prior to April 27 of any year thereafter, that it desires to alter, amend or terminate any or all of the terms hereof.

 

 

ARTICLE 2

Hours of Work - Overtime

 

2.1 Hours

 

The normal work week will be eight (8) hours per day and forty (40) hours per week, Monday through Friday.   Normal work hours are 7:00 am to 12:00 Noon and 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

 

Employees are to be in the riding box or walking into the hole at 7:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  The riding box shall be on top at 12:00 Noon and 3:30 p.m.

 

Hours of work are subject to change by mutual agreement between the Company and a majority vote of Union Members or by mutual agreement by a majority vote of the Union Members in a particular area and the Company, after a vote is taken supervised by the Union President or designee. For purposes of this section, Bethel and Barre shall be considered separate areas. Areas within Barre will be considered when requested by the parties.

 

2.2 Overtime and Premium Pay

 

(a) Employees shall receive time and one‑half pay for all hours worked outside the regular working hours as prescribed in Section 2.1 and for time worked during the normal lunch period. Employees who work on Saturdays shall receive time and one‑half pay.  Work shall be regarded as being performed on Saturday only if an employee's shift begins on Saturday. Employees who work on a Sunday or New Year's Day shall receive double time pay for hours worked.

 

Employees who work on a paid holiday shall receive holiday pay plus double time pay for hours worked.

 

 

 

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(b) Overtime will be distributed as equitably as possible and will be assigned to employees who regularly work in the area requiring the overtime, unless special circumstances prevent such assignments. If unassigned work is to be performed, "area" refers to a specific quarry, such as Rock of Ages, Smith's, etc. The Company will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible when overtime is required, giving tentative notice by Wednesday of the week for which Saturday work is necessary, except in emergency circumstances.

 

2.3 Call‑In Pay

 

If an employee is called back for unscheduled work at the specific request of the Company, he will be guaranteed pay as follows:

 

(a) If called to work on a Sunday or holiday, the equivalent of a minimum of three (3) hours' straight time pay at his regular hourly rate, or

 

(b) If called to work on a Saturday or a scheduled non‑work week day, the equivalent of a minimum of two (2)  hours' straight time pay at his regular hourly rate.

 

2.4 Subcontract

 

The Company may subcontract work, provided the intent is not to deprive employees of their normal employment.

 

2.5 Absence from Work

 

Employees are obligated to give notice to the Company on the day they are not able to report to work.  The employee must make every reasonable effort to notify the company before the start of their regular scheduled work shift and include the reason for absence or lateness.  The phone number listed below will have voice mail capability and time recognition feature so that in the event it is not immediately answered, then a message can be left by the employee.  An absence of three (3) consecutive scheduled workdays without notifying the Company will subject the employee to discipline, up to and including discharge. The quarry phone number is 802‑476‑ 2233.

 

 

ARTICLE 3

Interdivisional Job Opportunities

 

 

3.1 Layoff

 

In the event of a layoff of employees covered by this contract and if the Company has need for additional manpower in any of its other divisions in Barre or Bethel who are covered by contracts with the Union, the Company will offer these positions to the laid‑off employees by seniority subject to ability and physical fitness and a sixty (60) day, probationary period. The employee selected may accept the position offered or elect to take the layoff. During the probationary period, the successful employee may revert to layoff status at his option. If the position available is covered by a different contract, the employee shall not be required to change groups unless he is not returned to his former position within twelve (12) months.

 

 

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The employee shall suffer no loss of seniority for such assignment when he is returned to his former position.  Employees will be returned to their former positions by seniority if and when work becomes available.

 

It is contemplated that the employees choosing to work in a new division will be assigned entry level positions. If the employee is assigned to a classification higher than laborer, grouter, plant sweeper, tool grinder or quarryman, the employee shall not hold the position for more than sixty (60) days without the consent of the Union. Those accepting assignment in another division will be the lowest in seniority in that division.

 

If an employee does not honor a recall notice to his former position, or is employed in the new division for more than twelve (12) months, his seniority in his prior division shall be lost and his seniority date in his new division shall be his start date with that division except if otherwise agreed by the Company and Union.

 

The Company and the Union agree that as a new and untested provision, either the Union or the Company may cancel this provision with thirty (30) days' prior written notice of cancellation.

 

3.2 Maintenance Operations

 

The Company has two (2) maintenance groups, one at the plant division (manufacturing plant, press roll plant and saw plant) and the other at the quarries division. The Union understands that there is a need for flexibility at the Company to assure that all equipment operates efficiently and timely. The Company understands that the seniority of both maintenance groups must be separate and that maintenance employees will normally work in their division.

 

The Company and Union agree that the Company may assign maintenance employees in one (1) division to work temporarily in the other division. The word temporarily is understood and agreed to cover sickness, vacations, injuries, operational emergencies, and/or the scope and duration of a particular project or projects.  It is not the intent of the Company to displace or replace a maintenance person in one (1) division with a person in another.

 

In the event the Union believes the Company has not complied with this provision, the Union may bring the situation in question to the LMT for resolution. If the matter cannot be resolved by the LMT, the Union shall have the right to grieve it.

 

 

ARTICLE 4

Wages

 

 

4.1 Wage Increases and Minimum Wages

Effective, April 26, 2009 the wage rate shall be: $19.45

Effective, May 2, 2010 the wage rate shall be: $19.95

Effective, May 1, 2011 the wage rate shall be: $20.45

 

 

 

4.1(a) Job categories

 

 

 

 

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Quarry- Direct                                                            Quarry -Service & Service Misc.                 

Derrick man*                                                              Bar Mechanic/Hoist Mechanic/Bit Grinder*

Hoist operator*                                                           Machinist*                                                     

Equip. operator*                                                         Welder*                                 

Powderman*                                                               Mechanic*

Expeditor                                                                    Piper*

Quarryman / Drill Operator / Wiresaw Operator          Head Rigger

                                                                                   Electrician*                

                                                                                   Compressor Operator/Utility Truck Driver*  

                                                                                   Rigger/Carpenter*      

 

*Post for openings     

 

 

Definitions: Expeditor

 

An expeditor will not be allowed to hire, fire or discipline other employees. An expeditor can take the place of the foreman on a temporary basis when the foreman is absent. Normally, the expeditor will perform his regular job and assist the foreman as required to direct production and work flow.

 

An expeditor may not take the place of a worker or perform production work during the specific time that he is taking the place of an absent manager.  However he may demonstrate the use of any tool of the trade for instructional purposes.

 

Expeditor wage premium: An expeditor will receive at least $2.00/hr. over the minimum set wage for the quarry when performing this job.      

 

 

4.2 Maintenance of Personal Rate

 

All employees receiving more than the minimum wage rate  (effective May 3, 1997) for their job will retain that difference as a personal rate for the length of this contract unless they move to a different job, quit, terminate or retire from the Company.

 

4.3 Learner and Bid Rate

 

(a) A newly hired employee shall be classified as a learner and be paid a rate of 80% of the applicable journeyman rate for the first (1 ^st ) calendar year and 90% of the applicable journeyman rate for the second (2 ^nd ) calendar year. At the end of two (2) years the employee will receive the minimum set wage for the quarry.

 

(b) Any employee who successfully bids from one (1) job classification to a new job classification (except Learners) will be paid thirty cents ($.30)  per hour less than the minimum wage rate for a period of one (1)  year from the date of assuming the new position and thereafter will be paid the full rate.

 

Any Learner subject to Section 4.3 (a) above shall be paid the lower of the rates determined in accordance with Section 4.3 (a) or the rate under this section.

 

 

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4.4 Wage Adjustment

 

If at any time during the existence of this Agreement a wage increase should be granted, any employee receiving more than the minimum wage as provided in this Agreement shall receive the same wage adjustments but for no reason shall his wages be reduced before making said adjustments.

 

 

4.5 Period of Experience

 

Experience shall be based on time worked in a job position. All time worked in the position as a spare operator will be counted in determining the period of experience.

 

 

4.6 Shift Differential

 

Any employee on a second (2nd) or third (3rd) shift operation shall be paid a shift differential of seventy-five cents ($.75) per hour each hour worked.

 

 

4.7 Supplemental Provisions

 

(a) Only employees qualified under the "Safe Explosives Act of 2002" and all other explosives regula