They are scheduled to start a NLO class in a few weeks.
They posted 6 opening s a few weeks back. AFAIK, they have already done the POSS test (passed mine), and held all the interviews (had mine).
Was surprised to learn that the 6 openings I saw on an external website were open to both internal and external folks.
I would have thought they would have tried to fill the 6 spots internally before looking for outside help, but perhaps it is part of the union agreement.
I am sure they did ... to their own local. Then they went out and tried to fill the remainder of the class with outside non-local union (.. therefore no internal bid privileges) and non-employees.
Think it through again and answer your own question. "Would they violate the contract?" The answer is no.
And, if you got hired you can answer this question later, when you get the inside baseball skinny on what really happened.