A member of the Bargaining Unit who is temporarily unable to perform the full duties of their classification within the unit due to an industrial (service connected) disability shall accumulate seniority during this period of sickness or disability not to exceed two (2) years duration, unless this time frame is extended by mutual agreement between the Chief of the Department and the Director of the City's Human Resources Department.
A medical evaluation by a physician deemed mutually acceptable to both the City and the member of the Bargaining Unit will determine whether it is feasible for the member to begin participating in the City's transitional work program, as well as the anticipated date the member will be able to return to the full duties of their classification.
A member of the Bargaining Unit recovering from said disability, who is deemed physically and psychologically eligible to participate in the transitional work program administered by the City, shall agree to do so, or shall cease accumulating seniority from the date of their refusal to participate in said program.
A member of the Bargaining Unit, injured as defined above and in compliance with the rules of the transitional work program, shall accumulate seniority from the time of the disability, throughout participation in the transitional work program, and upon return to the full duties of their classification.