Article 5, Section 5 ..(5-5) of the ABF NMFA states that you can request transfer, after being laid off thirty days. You will lose your former terminal seniority, be placed on the bottom of the seniority list,......but retain your company seniority for fringe benefits only (vacation).
Now,.....as a steward, I had filed two grievances for guys working as casuals in a terminal 30 miles from ours, where they had seniority....and no work.....
....And that terminal where they were working as casuals, was going to HIRE off the street,....7 guys due to retirements(..All on the same day, no less...)....
Should be a "slam-dunk", right? Well, no.......We filed the grievances AFTER they hired off the street,....and AFTER our two casuals requested , in writing, as per contract,....to transfer in......and ABF refused to transfer our......EXISTING....employees.....who were WORKING AS CASUALS at the hiring terminal.......
I have piles of paperwork on this case,........Pictures, testimony of ABF Terminal managers,seniority lists, pay stubs......All kinds of documentation......
ABF's ....ENTIRE case was: "We don't want those two"........
The Union LOST,......Didn't we, Ernie?......in Executive session......
Decision reached 9 months after throwing those two guys to the wolves,.....One quit in disgust,....and the other hung on after filing bankruptcy to keep his house.....
Good Job, ERJAC!
So,......Yes, there is "transfer" language.......Of Sorts, I guess......
You're NOT SUPPOSED to have to quit,........That just benefits the company,.....And ..WHO CARES about the Laid Off Employee?