Often, many elements of working conditions for individuals within a bargaining unit are subject to bargaining agreements that are governed by seniority. Seniority can be defined a few ways including:

• Length of time that an individual has been with the employer.
• Length of time that an individual has been in a specific position with the employer.
• Length of time that an individual has been a member in the specific union.

Seniority typically governs how schedules are determined, PTO or time off is approved, how promotions are assigned, and pay.