Article 16 Section 4. Maternity and Paternity Leave
It is understood that maternity leave for female employees shall be granted
with no loss of seniority for such period of time as her doctor shall determine
that she is physically unable to return to her normal duties and maternity
leave must comply with applicable state and federal laws.
A light duty request, certified in writing by a physician, shall be granted in
compliance with state or federal laws, if applicable.
Paternity leave shall be granted in accordance with Section 6 of this Article
with the exception of employees not able to meet the qualifications set out in
Section 6, who shall be granted leave not to exceed one (1) week.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any Supplement, Rider, or
Addenda, an employee shall be allowed to designate in any vacation year
paid time off up to twenty (20) days, to be used in the next vacation year, in
accordance with this paragraph. Any paid time off that is provided on a
weekly basis can only be banked in weekly increments. The accrued paid
time off may be used in the next vacation year to cover any period of time
that (1) the employee is determined to be unable to perform her job due to
pregnancy (for the father, time off is requested due to the birth) and (2) is not
covered by the FMLA, existing disability plans or other paid time off. If the
accrued time off is not used in that year, it will be paid to the employee
within two (2) weeks of the request. If the vacation is not used as part of the
leave, and it would have originally been taken in that vacation year, the
employee shall also have the option of rescheduling the unused vacation as
time off in accordance with local practice.
Section 6. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
All employees who have worked for the Company for a minimum of twelve
(12) months and worked at least 1250 hours during the past twelve (12)
months are eligible for unpaid leave as set forth in the Family and Medical
Leave Act of 1993.
Additionally, any employee not covered above, that has worked for the
Company for a minimum of thirty-six (36) months and accrued at least 625
paid hours during the past twelve (12) months is eligible for unpaid leave as
set forth below, except that the amount of leave allowed will be computed at
one half (1/2) of the time provided by the FMLA.
Eligible employees are entitled up to a total of 12/6 weeks of unpaid leave
during any twelve (12) month period for the following reasons:
1. Birth of a child;
2. Adoption, or placement for foster care;
3. To care for a spouse, child, or parent of the employee due to a serious
health condition;
4. A serious health condition of the employee.
The employee�s seniority rights shall continue as if the employee had not
taken leave under this section, and the Employer will maintain health
insurance coverage during the period of the leave.
The Employer may require the employee to substitute accrued paid vacation
or other paid for leave for part of the 12/6 week leave period.
The employee is required to provide the Employer with at least thirty (30)
days advance notice before FMLA leave begins if the need for leave is
foreseeable. If the leave is not foreseeable, the employee is required to give
notice as soon as practicable. The Employer has the right to require medical
certification of a need for leave under this Act. In addition, the Employer has
the right to require a second (2nd) opinion at the Employer�s expense.
The provisions of this section are in response to the Federal Act and shall not
supersede any state or local law which provides for greater employee rights.