Section 1:
(a) Basic Work Week
Both parties of this Agreement are committed to maintain the principle of a basic work week of forty (40) hours, but agree that additional time may be worked to permit operation or protection of the mill when paid for as shown in Section 2 below.
(b) Compressed Work Week
The Company and Union recognize the concept of the compressed work week. It is further understood that the compressed work week conditions will apply only to those departments that are on the compressed work week as summarized in Exhibit F.
Section 2: Overtime
Overtime at the rate of time and one-half will be paid on the following basis:
(a) Day Workers
To any day worker paid on an hourly basis:
(i) For all work performed on Sunday and on statutory holidays as specified in Article XVII of this Agreement.
(ii) For all work in excess of eight (8) hours in any one day or in excess of eight (8) consecutive straight time hours.
(iii) For work performed on an employee’s designated day off as provided for in Article VI, Section 3 of this Agreement.
(iv) For work in excess of forty (40) hours average per week. By average is meant the number of weeks mutually agreed upon in advance as the correct schedule.
(v) Converting Department – 3 Shift Employees:
Employees working a 3-shift schedule, made up of three 7-1/2 hour shifts per day, five days a week, if requested to work a sixth shift in any one week, will be paid overtime at the rate of time and one-half for all hours worked on the sixth shift.
(vi) The Company agrees that employees may carry over Sunday Letter and statutory holiday time earned when sufficient straight-time hours are unavailable that week. The hours may be carried over after the week in which they are earned provided a regular work schedule is being followed.
(b) Tour Workers
To any Tour Worker paid on an hourly basis:
(i) For all work performed on Sunday (8:00 a.m. Sunday to 8:00 a.m. Monday) and on statutory holidays as specified in Article XVII of this Agreement.
(ii) For all work in excess of eight (8) hours in any one day or in excess of eight (8) consecutive hours, except:
(1) when such work in excess of eight (8) hours is caused by the change of shifts
(2) overtime work by special arrangements between a Tour Worker and their mate to exchange shifts, with the approval of their supervisor, and when this can be accomplished without additional cost or penalty to the Company
(iii) For work in excess of forty (40) hours average per week. By average is meant the number of weeks mutually agreed upon, in advance, as the correct schedule.
(iv) For work performed on an employee’s designated day off as provided for in Article VI, Section 3 of this Agreement.
(v) The Company agrees that employees may carry over Sunday Letter and statutory holiday time earned when sufficient straight-time hours are unavailable that week. The hours may be carried over after the week in which they are earned provided a regular work schedule is being followed.
(c) Banking of Overtime
All workers who work in excess of eight (8) consecutive hours shall have the following options of:
a) Receiving a double time premium for hours worked in excess of eight (8) hours that will be paid out in the pay period in which the work was performed. If being paid at double time is not requested by the employee during the shift being worked, the time will automatically be banked at straight time.
b) Receiving straight time for hours in excess of eight (8) consecutive hours and taking equivalent time off in units of not less than four (4) hours or not less than two (2) hours for medical or dental reasons at the hourly rate for the job when the work was performed, at a time suitable to the employee and the Company during the contract year.
Any overtime remaining at the end of the contract year in which it is banked may be carried over to the next contract year for purposes of taking equivalent time off. If equivalent time off is not taken by the end of the contract year following the contract year in which it is earned, the Company shall pay the deferred one-half (1/2) premium pay. Tour Workers who choose to bank overtime may later re-elect to receive the deferred one-half (1/2) premium pay.
(d) Computation of Overtime
(i) When a paid statutory holiday falls upon an employee’s scheduled work day, such holiday shall be considered as time worked for purposes of computing overtime within the calendar week in which the holiday is recognized. Otherwise such statutory holiday shall not be considered as time worked.
(ii) Hours worked on Sunday by Day Workers and Tour Workers will be counted in the further calculation of the forty (40) hour work week for the computation of overtime.
(iii) Hours worked on a statutory holiday by Day Workers and Tour Workers to a maximum of eight (8) hours will be counted in the further calculation of the forty (40) hour work week for the computation of overtime if the statutory holiday worked falls on their scheduled day off.
It is understood that Sunday is intended to mean a period of twenty-four (24) hours ending with the start of the Mill day on Monday morning.
In the payment of overtime on the basis provided above, the one basis which results in the payment of the largest amount of overtime shall be used except as provided for in (d) (ii) and (d) (iii) above.
No employee shall work in excess of sixteen (16) consecutive hours or sixteen (16) hours in any one day.
(e) Overtime Work
(i) If an employee is requested to work in excess of eight (8) hours in any one day or in excess of their scheduled work week hours in any one week, the employee has the right to come in or not to come in and no penalty can be imposed by the employer for the failure of the employee to come in. It is understood, however, that the Company is entitled to look for reasonable cooperation from its employees.
(ii) In the event that volunteers cannot be obtained, the Company retains the right to appoint employees to do the required work. This will be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) appointments per contract year with the commitment that any one particular employee will not be appointed more than two (2) times per contract year. The Company will inform the Union President and First Vice-President by email when appointing overtime.
(iii) The Company agrees to the principle of limiting excessive overtime and agrees to take steps which will eliminate or substantially reduce such excessive overtime.
Section 3: Days Off and Schedule of Shifts
(a) 24 Hours Off Duty
At some time during the seven (7) day period commencing at 7:00 a.m. Monday, and terminating at 7:00 a.m. the following Monday, every employee will have twenty-four (24) hours (consecutive hours) off duty.
The employer agrees that in scheduling work, days off shall, wherever practicable, be consecutive.
Relief employees, employed to provide relief of employees who follow regular schedules, will be scheduled when required for coverage. The Company will designate regular, periodic days off for all other employees and will not change such designation without notice except in the case of breakdown. The Company shall use its best efforts:
(i) To schedule days off for relief employees on a consecutive basis; and
(ii) To provide established schedules for relief employees.
(b) Designated Days Off
The employer will designate regular periodic days off for each regular employee and will not change such designation without notice except in the case of breakdown.
In the event the day or days off are changed to follow the original designated day or days off, then forty-eight (48) hours’ notice will be given in advance of the original day or days off. In the event the day or days off are changed to precede the original designated day or days off, then forty (40) hours’ notice must be given in advance of the new day or days off.
The employees may change their day or days off by mutual arrangement with the Supervisor and the Shop Steward of the department concerned without penalty to the employer.
Where a system of days off is now in effect, the same shall remain in effect as long as it is mutually satisfactory to the Signatory Union, and the Signatory Company.
(c) Penalty Payment for Change in Shift
When the Employer changes an employee’s shift schedule after the start of the week without notification being given during the first eight (8) hours of their last shift preceding the new shift, the employee shall receive two (2) hours penalty payment at the straight time day rate for the first shift worked resulting from the change
If the change in shifts during the week is temporary, the penalty payment is not payable for the second change in shifts when the employee returns to their previously established shift schedule.
The penalty payment is not payable for change in shifts for employees scheduled for less than one (1) week.
(d) Overtime Rates on Days Off
When sufficient notice is not given prior to the initial day or days off, then overtime will be paid for work performed on the original day or days off.
Section 4: Starting and Stopping Work
(a) Tour Workers
When a tour begins, each Tour Worker is required to be in their place. At the end of a shift, no Tour Worker shall leave their place to wash up and dress until their mate has changed their clothes and reported to take on responsibility of the position. If a Tour Worker does not report for their regular shift, their mate shall notify the Supervisor. They shall then remain at their post until a substitute is secured, and if necessary, they shall work an extra shift. (Such requirement to remain on the job if their mate does not report in as scheduled shall only apply when their mate fails to give the required four-hour advance notice of inability to report.)
Overtime Meals: When an employee works one extra shift, arrangements shall be made to provide the meals by the Company.
Notice of Absence: It is the duty of a Tour Worker to report for their regular shift, unless they have already arranged with their Supervisor for a leave of absence. If they unavoidably are prevented from reporting, they must give notice to their Supervisor or at the office at least four (4) hours before their tour goes on duty.
(b) Day Workers
Day workers shall be at their respective posts ready to begin work at the time their pay starts and shall not quit work in advance of the time their pay stops. For example, if an employee’s pay time is from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., they shall be at their post ready to work at 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and shall not quit work until 12:00 noon and 4:30 p.m.
Section 5: Meals
(a) Beyond Normal Eight-Hour Shift
A meal shall, if requested, be furnished at usual meal time at the expense of the employer to any employee who is required to work 11 consecutive hours, and similarly, an additional meal shall be furnished for each 4 additional consecutive hours worked beyond 11 hours.
When an employee is entitled to an overtime meal in accordance with the above-stated policy, they will be directed by the supervisor or the supervisor of the department in which they are working, when to go eat. During major shutdowns it is quite possible that small groups of employees will eat at various times as close to the usual meal time as is possible. By doing this, work can continue on the equipment or machinery and employees still are able to eat.
In cases where the job completion is within a reasonable period of the normal meal time, the crews may be instructed to complete the job following which a meal will be provided.
(b) Emergency Jobs or Machine Clothing Changes
When an employee is called in on an emergency job or machine clothing change, the Company will provide the employee a meal allowance, providing:
(i) The employee was called on short notice.
(ii) The employee will work over four hours.
(iii) The employee will work through a normal meal period.
Section 6: Call-In – Hours of Work
The Company will cooperate with any day worker called in after twelve midnight to ensure that this work does not preclude them working their regular eight (8) hour shift the following day. This may be accomplished by altering the hours of work to the mutual satisfaction of the employee and their supervisor. No penalty shall apply to the Company as a result of such an arrangement.