What criterion do unions typically advocate for employee transfers?

Unions traditionally advocate for seniority as the primary criterion for employee transfers. This approach is rooted in the belief that employees with longer tenures have demonstrated a commitment to the organization and have accumulated significant experience. By prioritizing seniority, unions aim to protect the rights and positions of long-serving employees, ensuring they are not displaced by newer hires in transfer scenarios. This practice promotes fairness and transparency within the workplace, as it establishes a clear and consistent guideline for how transfers should be managed.

While merit-based criteria, employee performance metrics, and skills and competencies are relevant factors in employee evaluations and promotions, they are often seen as more subjective and can lead to potential biases. Therefore, unions focus on seniority to foster job security and stability for their members.