Article 3. Participation of Employees

Section 3.01 Purpose

This Section contains rules for determining when an Employee becomes a Participant in the Plan and the effect of a Break in Service on his participation in the Plan.  It should be noted that once an Employee has become a Participant, the provisions of this Plan may give him credit in accordance with the rules of the Plan for some or all of his service before he became a Participant. 

Section 3.02 Commencement of Participation

  An Employee who is engaged in Covered Employment with a Contributing Employer shall become a Participant in the Plan on the first January 1 or July 1 immediately following completion of one (1) Year of Service. 

Section 3.03 Years of Service Taken into Account

  Except as provided in Section 3.04 below, with respect to any Employee, all of the Employee’s Years of Service shall be taken into account in computing the period of service required for purposes of Section 3.02 above. 

Section 3.04 Effect of Break in Service on Participation in the Plan

(a)               One-Year Break in Service

(1)               Cessation of Participation

If a Participant incurs a One-Year Break in Service (as defined in Section 4.13(b)), he shall cease to be a Participant as of the last day of the Calendar Year in which his One-Year Break in Service occurred, unless such Participant is a Pensioner or has attained Vested Status under Section 8.07.

(2)               Service Disregarded Before One-Year Break in Service 

If a former Participant who has incurred a One-Year Break in Service returns to Covered Employment, any period of service earned before the Employee incurred a One-Year Break in Service shall not be taken into account until he has again completed a Year in Service following his return to Covered Employment.  However, in determining whether an Employee completes a Year of Service after his return, his Eligibility Computation Period shall be measured by the 12-consecutive month period beginning on such Employee’s Reemployment Commencement Date (as defined in paragraph (4) below) and, if necessary, Calendar Years beginning with the Calendar Year that includes the first anniversary of his Reemployment Commencement Date.

(3)               Effective Date of Participation After Reemployment

Except as provided in subsection (b) below, upon completing a Year of Service in accordance with paragraph (2) above, the Employee shall again participate in the Plan effective as of his Reemployment Commencement Date; provided that the Employee is engaged in Covered Employment on his Reemployment Commencement Date.  If an Employee is not engaged in Covered Employment on his Reemployment Commencement Date, the Employee’s participation in the Plan shall be reinstated effective as of the first day on which he is credited with an Hour of Work in Covered Employment following his Reemployment Commencement Date.

(4)               Reemployment Commencement Date

For purposes of this subsection (a), an Employee’s “Reemployment Commencement Date” is the first day on which he would be credited with an Hour of Work for the performance of duties for an Employer after the first Calendar Year (i.e., first Eligibility Computation Period) in which he incurs the One-Year Break in Service under Section 4.13. 

(b)        Return to Covered Employment after Permanent Break in Service

If a former Participant returns to Covered Employment after incurring a Permanent Break in Service (as defined in Section 4.13(d)), he will be treated as a new Employee upon his return to Covered Employment and all prior Years of Service will be disregarded for purposes of this Article 3.  In that case, the former Participant shall again become a Participant in accordance with Section 3.02.