49. A leave of absence for justifiable reason not to exceed thirty (30) days shall be granted by a supervisor to an employee who has acquired seniority, provided that such leave will not interrupt production and there are other available employees in the division who are qualified to do the work. 

49.1 Emergency leave shall be granted in cases of serious illness in the employee´s family. 

50. A leave of absence on account of illness, not to exceed thirty-six (36) consecutive months in duration, shall be granted by the Company to an employee who has acquired seniority, providing, however, the employee´s illness and the necessity for such leave is first established by meeting the following eligibility requirements.

  a) The illness must be substantiated by a statement from a doctor which must be presented to the Company benefits department on or before the end of the shift on the fourth working day of the absence.

  b) The employee must return completed disability supplement insurance papers within fifteen (15) calendar days.

  c) The employee must have personally seen a physician during the period of illness in order to qualify for leave.

  d) The Company reserves the right to substantiate the need for leave through the Company doctor or by requiring an independent medical examination.

  e) Sickness and Accident pay begins following a waiting period of seven days.  Therefore the illness must cause the enployee to be totally disabled from work for at least five working days.  See the Summary Plan Description for exceptions to the waiting period.

   50.1  Upon expiration of an illness leave of four days or more, the employee must present a release from his/her doctor statiing the employee is able to return to work.  This statement must be presented before the employee can return to active employment.

   50.2  Upon expiration of an illness leave an employee incapable of returning rto work due to health reasons, such leave will be extended if sufficient medical evidence is presented to justify the extension, however, the total length of the leave shall not exceed five (5) years.

   50.3  Such employee may accept temporary employment elsewhere providing it is consistent with his or her health condition. 

51. Any employee on the payroll on the effective date of this Agreement, who has a year or more seniority, shall upon request to the Company, be granted an educational leave of absence not to exceed one year to attend, as a fulltime student, an accredited school or college. 

51.1 An employee on a 4-year educational program may renew such leave as needed to complete the program. 

51.2 However, sufficient time must be granted the Company to check the employee´s enrollment in the designated school or college before leave can be granted. 

51.3 The terms and conditions, where applicable for such leave, shall be the same as those granted under the other provisions of this Article. 51.4 Any employee returning from an educational leave shall not again qualify for an educational leave for a period of thirty (30) days. 

52. Any employee elected to a public office shall be granted a leave of absence for the term of the elected office and be guaranteed re-employment if there is sufficient work for which he or she is eligible at the then current rate of pay. Any employee elected to a permanent office in, or as a delegate to, any labor activity necessitating a leave of absence, shall be granted such leave not to exceed three years and at the end of the term in the first instance, or at the end of the mission, in the second instance, be guaranteed reemployment if there is sufficient work for which he or she is eligible at the then current rate of pay. 

52.1 Seniority will accumulate during the period of such leave, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 53. 

52.2 The Company will be notified in writing of such requests prior to the date of leaving. Other terms and conditions where applicable for such leaves, shall be the same as those granted under other provisions of this Article. 

53. An employee´s seniority will accumulate during any leave of absence, limited to an equal amount he or she had at the time the leave was started. 

53.1 Employees who have been on leave for six (6) months or less will return to their job assignment seniority permitting. 

53.2 Employees unable to return to their job assignment or employees on leave for more than six (6) months shall be returned in the same manner as outlined in Paragraphs 37, 38, 39 and 40. 

53.3 However, if upon the expiration of a leave of absence there is no work available for the employee in line with his or her seniority, the employee shall be laid off as of the date of lay-off had such employee been working. 

53.4 Employees on leave of absence will not be denied their rights under provisions outlined in Article VIII, Paragraph 34.1. 

54. An employee on a medical leave of absence may terminate a leave upon presentation of a doctor´s statement to the effect he or she is able to return to work; or upon the employee giving three (3) days advance notice of desire to terminate a non-medical leave. 

55. An employee who fails to report for work by the end of their shift on the fourth working day after his or her leave expires shall be considered as voluntarily quit. 

55.1 If there is a satisfactory reason for failure to notify the Company the quit will be voided. 

55.2 If, however, the employee notifies the Company within the four (4) working days that sickness or accident prevents return to work, the leave will be automatically extended if in accordance with Paragraph 50. 

56. Any employee who obtains a leave of absence and accepts employment elsewhere, except as other wise stipulated herein, will be considered as having voluntarily quit.