Scheduling - The Employer shall post departmental or unit sign-up sheets for calendar annual, semi-annual or quarterly periods, in its discretion, on which employees will indicate their preferences for vacations during the semi-annual or quarterly vacation period designated on the sheets. The postings will be made at least sixty-five (65) days prior to the beginning of the designated vacation period. Vacation request schedules will be posted and stay up for two (2) weeks so one can exercise seniority. Employees shall indicate their preferences for vacation schedules within two weeks of the posting. The Employer shall have the rights (but shall not exercise such rights arbitrarily or capriciously) to determine (1) how much vacation time will be granted within a particular department or unit during the designated period and (2) whether such preferences will be honored; provided, however, that if there is a conflict in the preferences of employees within a particular department or unit, the preference(s) of the employee(s) with the most RHRI seniority will prevail; and provided, further, however, that conflicts between an employee requesting a full week of vacation and an employee requesting less than a full week during the same week will be resolved in favor of an employee requesting a full week. Employees who fail to indicate their preferences within the two week posting period will have no right to exercise their RHRI seniority. Employees who transfer to a different unit after the schedule of that unit has been established can be required to adapt to the new schedule in the new unit. Subject to the Employer’s right to determine vacation schedules, the Employer will not adopt a policy to categorically deny vacations during major holiday weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years’ weeks). Provided further, however, such preferences during prime time vacation (Memorial Day through Labor Day, inclusive) initially shall not exceed two weeks and provided further that when all employees in a particular department or unit have had their initial preferences honored to the extent that that is possible, then any additional vacation time shall be scheduled with the employee(s)’ RHRI seniority prevailing in the event of conflicting requests. Employees who receive or take single vacation days may also be allowed to work during that week but only at the specific request of the Employer.
