Step 4 Settlement Agreement: Article 37.3.F.3; Posting, Bidding, and Application (1989)

The issue in these grievances is whether scheme study training hours can be reduced due to absence. After reviewing this matter, we mutually agreed that no national interpretive issue is fairly presented in this case. Handbook 402T, provides a mathematical formula which determines the study time which will be provided for scheme training. Article 37.3.F.3 provides a formula for determining the length of deferment period within which training and qualification must occur. The allotted amount of training hours is not to be reduced due to employee absence. However, employees who are absent from training may make it mathematically impossible to obtain necessary training hours within the deferment period. Accordingly, we agreed to remand these cases to the parties at Step 3 for further processing, including arbitration if necessary.