Permanent and probationary employees in regular established positions shall be considered on their salary anniversary date for advancement to the next step in the salary schedule for their classes as follows. A step shall be defined as 5.74% and all references to a “step” in this agreement are understood to equate to 5.74%. All increases shall be effective at the beginning of the next full pay period.

(1) After completion of 1040 regular hours satisfactory service in Step A of the salary schedule, and upon recommendation of the appointing authority, the employee shall be advanced to the next higher step in the salary schedule for the classification. If an employee is appointed at a step higher than the first step of the salary range for that classification, the first merit increase shall be after completion of 2080 regular hours of satisfactory service.

(2) After the completion of 2080 regular hours of satisfactory service in each of the salary steps above A, and upon recommendation of the appointing authority, the employee shall be advanced to the next higher step in the salary schedule for the classification until the top of the range is reached.

(3) When recommended by the appointing authority and approved by the Human Resources Director, employees may receive special merit increases at intervals other than those specified in this section. The Director’s decision shall be final.

(4) If an employee completes the 1040 or 2080 hours in the middle of a pay period, the employee shall be eligible for an increase as follows:

if the merit increase period is completed during the first week of a pay period the increase will be made effective the start of the then current pay period.

if the merit increase period is completed during the second week of a pay period the increase will be made effective the start of the next pay period.