Dear Members,
Recently there has been some discussion with management regarding the “Adverse Conditions” language spelled out in Article 7.J of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The CBA provides for a phone contact number that employees can call to determine the status of their specific work facility during adverse conditions. In the NY Point that number is 1-877-324-6683, Prompt #7, PIN # 12670. From inside EWR, employees can simply dial #12670 (see attached). Every Station should have a contact number for both “Adverse Condition” information and “Absentee Calls (sick, critical illness, weather etc.)”.
The second Note under Article 7.J states “Decisions made by federal and local government officials concerning travel or accessibility to the work place shall be considered in determining individual employee’s ability to report to work. Employees unable to report to work due to above made decisions shall be entitled to the provisions in paragraph 7.J.1 below (Facility Open)”.
This means that the Company is responsible for updating the voice box as to the status of the facility based on decisions made by the Director of Technical Operations or his designee as to whether or not “Adverse Conditions” have been declared and if so, is it “Facility Open” or “Facility Closed”? Employees will then follow their CBA accordingly.
If the Company does not declare “Adverse Conditions” and employees are not able to report to work due to factors defined in the aforementioned second NOTE under Article 7.J. they are still entitled to all of the provisions of Article 7.J.1 (Facility Open). When you call your respective “designated absentee number” as required, pursuant to Article 10.B, make sure you tell management you are calling in for weather and you are not calling in sick. If you call in sick you will be charged a sick day and paid accordingly, you will have no other subsequent options. If you call your respective “designated absentee number” and cite the second not in Article 7.J and inform management you are unable to report due to weather you will be entitled to all the provisions of Article 7.J.1 (Facility Open).
To recap, if you are unable to make it to work due to weather, make sure you stipulate “weather” is the reason when calling the designated absentee number. If you are sick and want to use a sick day then make sure you stipulate “sick” is the reason when calling the designated absentee number. Notify the Union immediately if you call in for weather and any member of management states he or she is going to code you sick.
Thank you for your time and if you have any questions feel free to call anytime.
Download Adverse Conditions Memo 012114
Download NY Point Sick-Adverse Contacts