The commission shall provide for the classification of all employees except temporary extra help and the appointive and elective officers otherwise mentioned in this Charter; for open, competitive and free examination as to fitness for an eligibility list from which vacancies shall be filled for a period of probation before employment is made permanent and for promotion on the basis of merit, experience and record.

Employees within the scope of this article who are in office at the time of the adoption of this Charter shall retain their positions, unless removed for cause.

The Council may, by ordinance, confer upon the commission such further rights and duties as may be deemed necessary to enforce and carry out the principles of this article.