Your Collective Agreement (CA) protects your rights at Queen’s. Here are some common scenarios and how the CA applies to you.
1. What is “Incumbency?”
An Academic Assistant who completes their probationary period and completed your previous work contract, you are deemed “incumbent” for that work. You will receive a letter from the employer confirming your new status and that you will receive hiring preference if that contract is offered again (Article 13.03).
2. I want to take a semester off from Academic Assistant work before coming back. Can I do that?
Yes. Provided your “break in service” (Article 12.03-12.05) is less than 24 continuous months in length, then you maintain your incumbency and seniority. If you break is pursuant to the Employment Standards Act (e.g., pregnancy or parental leave), your absence will not affect your seniority.
3. Do I receive sick days?
Yes. According to Article 16.10 you receive two paid sick days each academic term. You must notify your designated supervisor when you become ill and need to take sick leave (Article 16.11).
4. Do I have access to the Queen’s Library?
Yes. Following changes you Article 23.01 you now have access to use Queen’s physical and electronic library resources.
5. I’ve been asked to work casually as an Academic Assistant (e.g., by marking or tutoring), am I part of USW 2010-01 and do I have Collective Agreement Rights?
Yes. Casual workers who do support staff work for five or more days during an academic term are full members of USW 2010-01 with the collectively bargained rights that brings (Article 2.01e).
6. I’ve been called into a meeting with my manager. I think I’m in trouble and could get punished or fired. What rights do I have?
You have the right under Article 11.03 to have a union representative accompany you and support you during any investigatory or disciplinary meeting. Once you pass your probationary period (Article 12.07), you cannot punished without just cause (Article 11.01).
7. Do I get vacation days or benefits?
In lieu of benefits and vacation pay, you receive monthly payments equal to 7% of your wages (Article 18.01).
8. How do holidays work?
You will not normally be scheduled to work on holidays (Article 19.01). If you are not scheduled to work on holidays, you will receive holiday pay provided you will work your normally scheduled shift immediately before and after the holiday (Article 19.02).