ITEM 114-107-R0102 AGREEMENT

Summary of Tentative Agreement
between
The Montana University System
and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters

Modify the 1999-2001 collective bargaining agreement between the Montana University System and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Nos. 30, 41 and 459 as follows:

1. ARTICLE I Section A. Contract Term

Section B. Negotiations Schedule

Change dates to reflect a July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003 contract term.

2. ARTICLE VIII TYPES OF AVAILABLE EMPLOYMENT

Section A. Classified Positions: Delete

Section C.2. Temporary Employee: Change the second to last sentence as follows: Temporary employment must be at rates established by this agreement unless an alternative wage rate has been agreed upon between the campus unit and the bargaining unit.

3. ARTICLE IX Section B Prior to Change of Position

Delete.

4. ARTICLE X Section A Probationary Period

Change the second sentence to read as follows: The first four (4) calendar months of employment of any employee hired into a permanent position shall be a period of probation.

5. ARTICLE X Section G. Receipt of Gifts of Interest in Contracts

Change to read: Ethical Conduct: Public employees have a special obligation to carry out their duties for the benefit of the people of the state and to avoid taking actions that cause them to violate the publics trust. State law at 2-2-101 through 2-2-304 MCA includes several specific prohibitions and provides for significant penalties including fines and imprisonment for violators.

6. ARTICLE XI Section A.1.b. Charges by Quarter Hour (new title)

Change to read: Vacation charges shall be recorded in quarter-hour (1/4) increments.

ARTICLE XI Section A.2.e. Charges by Quarter Hour (new title)

Change to read: Sick leave charges shall be recorded in quarter-hour (1/4) increments.

ARTICLE XI Section A.2.g. Medical Appointments

Change the first sentence to read: Medical appointments may be charged to sick leave.

7. ARTICLE XI Section H.1. Group Insurance

Change the first sentence to read: The employer contribution to group insurance shall be the amount established in state statute.

8. ARTICLE XIII GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Section B. Time Limit on Presentation

Change twenty (20) days to ten (10) days.

Section C. Informal Procedure

Change five (5) days to ten (10) days.

Section D. Grievance Committee

Change to read: Within ten (10) days from receipt of the Personnel Officers or designated grievance officers response the bargaining agent may submit a written request to have the grievance heard by a grievance committee. Upon receipt of such request, the Commissioner of Higher Education shall appoint a committee comprised of three (3) members selected by management and three (3) members selected by the bargaining agent to hear the grievance. No employee of the unit from which the grievance originated may be selected by management or the bargaining agent to serve on the committee. The grievance committee shall conduct the hearing at the unit from which the grievance originated and shall arrive at a decision within ten (10) working days following the date upon which the grievance is heard by the committee. Any decision concurred in by a majority of the members of the grievance committee is final and binding and may not be applied to arbitration.

9. ARTICLE XIV Section A.3. Disciplinary and Investigatory Suspension (new title)

Change five(5) working days to ten (10) working days in the first sentence.

10. ARTICLE XIV Section A.4. Layoff procedure and Right of Recall

Delete introductory sentence or change it to read as follows: The following provisions shall apply to layoffs.

ARTICLE X Section B.2. Seniority Rights

Change second sentence to read: Both layoffs and recalls to employment shall be in order of seniority within a classification as long as employees are qualified to do the job.

11. ARTICLE XIV Section B.3.c. Right to Warning Letter

Delete.

ARTICLE XIV Section B.3.d. Duration Warning Letter Limited

Change to read: The first warning letter that an employee receives will remain in the personnel file for six (6) months but may be retained for a longer duration not to exceed one (1) year in appropriate circumstances after discussion of the matter with the bargaining agent. If the first warning letter is to remain in the file for longer than six (6) months the employee will be provided an interim written progress report by the supervisor within six (6) months from the issuance of the warning letter. The bargaining agent shall receive a copy of all warning letters. Warning letters are subject to the grievance procedure.

12. ARTICLE XV Section E. Optional Deductions

Delete the word bonds.

13. ADDENDUM A. VI. WAGES

Change to read: All employees in each classification will be compensated at the following wage rates for the two (2) year term of this contract. Wage increases shall be implemented the first day of the first complete pay period during which they become effective.

When a member of the bargaining unit is assigned the duties and responsibilities of Foreman of the bargaining unit in the absence of the regular Foreman for eight (8) or more consecutive hours, the employee will receive the higher hourly rate of pay for the duration of the assignment.