Our Contract

l. Program

It shall be the role of the Human Resources Department to maintain a training and development program. The Employer agrees to notify the Union prior to implementing any new job training, career development and educational programs, and will provide to the Union an annual summary on these programs. The Union may make program recommendations, which if acceptable, the Employer will make every effort to implement.

2. On-the-Job Training

The Employer will provide any instruction and skill development that is necessary in all task areas required in an employee’s job classification, and will also make every effort to assist in the development of minorities and women as outlined in Article II, Section 3B (Affirmative Action).

3. Employee Internships

The Employer will from time to time provide the opportunity for voluntary three-month internships for full-time employees, either within or between departments. The purpose of the internship is to give employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the company and investigate other career possibilities, but must also meet the needs of the newspaper. During an internship, employees will continue to be paid their regular salary or first-year scale for the internship position, whichever is higher. If the Employer decides to have an internship program, it will make every effort to notify the Union at least four (4) weeks in advance of each intern program and will forward to the Union a copy of the list of all employees applying for an internship.

4. Career Investigation

It shall be the role of the Human Resources Department to assist bargaining unit employees in investigating the details and functions of jobs within the bargaining unit for which they may wish to be considered, and shall provide relevant counseling and career guidance regarding how the employee may better qualify for such jobs. The department shall maintain a list of qualifications for all positions, which will be available for examination by any bargaining unit employee upon request.

5. Job Exchanges

To assist employees in career development, the Employer may arrange for voluntary “job swaps��? (in which two or more employees exchange positions) or select employees for voluntary fill-in assignments for up to a six-month period. Employees in such assignments will be paid pursuant to the terms of Article IV, Section 13, “Inter-Classification Fill-In.��? The Union shall be notified of all such arrangements in advance.

January 16, 2001