Body § 4.4 CIM v5 2021

Unlike Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, the contract language found in Section 4.4 is enforceable at the local level. Section 4.4 requires management to offer any new jobs created by technological or mechanization changes to present employees capable of being trained to perform the new or changed job. On the job training for any new job created by technological or mechanization changes shall not exceed 60 days, although certain specialized technical jobs may require additional, off-site training. During training, the employees will maintain their pay rate.

In addition, Section 4.4 provides that if an employee’s job is eliminated due to technological or mechanization changes and if the employee cannot be placed in a job of equal grade, the employee shall receive saved grade until such time as employee fails to bid or apply for a position in employee’s former wage level. The saved grade provided for in this section is governed by the provisions of Section 421.53 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM).

See also Article 9 (Section 9.7) which contains a general provision requiring the Postal Service to continue the current salary rate protection program for the duration of this agreement. This includes not only the “saved grade” provisions found in Section 4.4 and described in ELM Section 421.53, but also the “protected rate” provisions found in ELM Section 421.51 and the “saved rate” provisions found in ELM Section 421.52. In addition, employees who qualify for “saved grade” will receive “saved grade” for an indefinite period of time subject to the conditions contained in Section 4.4.