Previous Comparable Experience. New employees having previous comparable experience may be paid at a lower scale of wages than their claim of experience calls for, but not less than the minimum rate established by this Contract, for an evaluation period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date of employment. This thirty (30) day evaluation period may be extended by mutual agreement for the purpose of enabling an employee or the Employer to obtain confirmation of claimed previous experience. If the employee's services are retained after the thirty (30) day period, or extended period where granted, they shall receive any difference between the initial rate paid and the rate for which their comparable experience qualifies them, retroactive for all time worked with the exception of the first two (2) calendar weeks of employment and shall receive written notification showing any credit granted for previous experience. A copy of this written notification shall be forwarded to the Union at the time it is presented to the employee. Employees who have been out of the Industry for less than one (1) year will receive credit for half their previous experience, to a maximum of two thousand and eighty (2080) hours. Employees who have been out of the Industry for one (1) year or more will receive credit for one-half their previous experience to a maximum of one thousand and forty (1040) hours. Meat/Deli/Seafood Clerks who have completed a related training program at a recognized British Columbia training institution shall receive credit for five hundred and twenty (520) hours experience for determining rate of pay. Provided the Employer has given the employee concerned a written notification showing credit granted for previous experience not later than five (5) days following completion of the thirty (30) day evaluation period, or other extended period granted by mutual agreement, and forwarded a copy to the Union, no consideration shall be given to any disagreement pertaining to previous experience, if presented later than sixty (60) days from date of employment. There will be a six (6) month time limit on the claiming of credit beyond which no adjustment to previous experience will be granted except at the discretion of the Employer.
