The Alberta Teachers’ Association

THIS AGREEMENT made this ___ day of __________, 2015 AD, pursuant to the School Act, and the Labour Relations Code.

BETWEEN:

The Golden Hills School Division No. 75 (hereinafter called the “Board”),

OF THE FIRST PART

AND

The Alberta Teachers' Association, a body corporate, incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta, (hereinafter called the “Association”),

OF THE SECOND PART

WHEREAS the Association is the bargaining agent for the teachers employed by the Board; and

WHEREAS terms and conditions of employment and salaries of teachers have been the subject of negotiations between the parties; and

WHEREAS the parties desire that these matters be set forth in an agreement concerning terms of employment of the said teachers;

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH that in consideration of the premises and of the mutual and other covenants herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

1.   SCOPE OF AGREEMENT

1.1   This Agreement applies to all employees of the Board other than Superintendent of Schools, Deputy Superintendent(s) or Associate Superintendent(s) who, as a condition of their employment, must possess a valid teaching certificate issued under the authority of Alberta Education, Province of Alberta, herein collectively called ‘the teachers’ or, where the context requires, ‘the teacher.’

2.   TERM

2.1   This agreement takes effect on September 1, 2012 and terminates on August 31, 2016.  Either party may give to the other not less than sixty (60) days or more than one hundred and eighty (180) days prior to the termination of this Agreement, a notice in writing of its intention to commence collective bargaining.  At the first meeting between the parties there shall be an exchange of the proposals, each containing particulars of all amendments sought.  Negotiations shall be limited to the items contained in the two lists combined, unless agreed to by mutual consent.  The first meeting shall occur not later than thirty (30) days after the first party receives notice of intention to begin collective bargaining.

2.2   The Board shall make available in each school sufficient true copies of the collective agreement for each teacher.  Upon engagement, each new teacher shall be given a copy.

3.   SALARIES

3.1   The Board shall pay to each teacher in its employ the salaries and allowances hereinafter set forth and computed.  All sums mentioned are ‘per annum’ unless specifically stated otherwise.

3.1.1   A one-time lump sum payment of 1% of the annual salary, prorated for FTE, as set out in the Collective Agreement grid in effect as of November 15, 2015 will be paid to all teachers on contract on that date as funded by Government of Alberta and paid no later than the end of December of 2015.

3.2   The years of university education of a teacher and the years of teaching experience computed as hereinafter provided shall together determine the basic salary of each teacher employed by the Board.  The salary schedule as follows:

Effective September 1, 2012

Effective September 1, 2015

A one-time lump sum payment of 1% of the annual salary prorated by FTE as set out in the Collective Agreement grid in effect as of November 15, 2015 will be paid to all teachers on contract on that date, funded by Government and paid no later than the end of December of 2015.

3.3   The monthly salary for each teacher shall be one-twelfth (1/12) part of the salary in effect.

3.3.1   A teacher’s salary, normally paid in July and August, shall be paid by June 30 provided the teacher has submitted such a request to the Board no later than the last school day prior to May 31.

3.3.2   The teacher’s salary shall be paid to teachers on the twenty-fifth day of each month, with the exception of December (Christmas) and sometimes March or April (Easter Break) where teacher’s salary will be paid on the last instructional day of the month.  If the 25^th day falls on a weekend, payroll will be delivered on the preceding Friday.  A payday schedule will be forwarded to each school early in the school year.  It is the employee’s responsibility to provide the required information (Bank, Bank Transit Number and Personal Bank Account Number) in order to receive the electronic deposit.

3.4   A teacher who is employed to teach on a part-time basis for the full school year or a portion thereof shall be paid that fraction of the annual salary schedule entitlement which corresponds to the fraction of time taught.

4.   ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES

4.0   In addition to the foregoing salary, there shall be paid additional allowances in accordance with the following schedule.  A single per student rate will be determined by population for each school, and allowances will be paid based on that rate.

4.1   Principals shall be paid fourteen percent (14%) of his or her position on the grid, plus per student:

4.2   Associate principals shall be paid seven percent (7%) of his or her position on the grid, plus per student:

4.2.1   When in the absence of the principal, the associate principal or other designee acts in the principal’s place for a period of five (5) or more consecutive school days, the associate principal or other designee shall be designated as acting principal and shall receive an allowance computed as per subclause 4.1 effective the fifth (5th) day and every consecutive day thereafter of the period during which he or she is so designated.

4.2.2   In schools where there is no associate principal, a teacher shall be designated acting principal and will be paid in accordance with the administration allowance formula specified in Article 4.1 effective the fifth (5th) consecutive day of the principal’s absence, and prorated in accordance with the service so rendered.  In addition, the teacher so designated shall receive an allowance equal to One Dollar ($1) per pupil as determined by the pupil count of September 30th.  The allowance shall be paid once annually and shall be included on the June cheque.  This article does not apply to one-room schools.

4.3   Teachers designated by the Board as Educational Consultants shall, in addition to their placement on the grid, be paid:

An Educational Consultant who is employed on a part-time basis for the full school year or a portion thereof shall be paid that fraction of the annual entitlement which corresponds to the fraction of time employed.

4.4   Payment of administrative allowances shall commence on the effective date of appointment.

4.5   The pupil count for all allowances to be as of September 30th in each school year and kindergarten students shall be counted in the same fashion as they are counted for grant purposes by Alberta Education.

4.6   In a school having one teacher, that teacher shall not be subject to the provisions of Article 4.1, but shall be paid an additional allowance. 

5.   EXPERIENCE INCREMENTS

5.1   A year of teaching experience shall be earned by teachers performing required duties for at least 130 school days in the school term with the Board.  Teaching experience earned by part-time teachers, or by a teacher under temporary contract, may be accumulated within three (3) consecutive year intervals.  When a year of teaching experience has been accumulated by part-time teachers, or by a teacher under temporary contract, the teacher shall not begin to earn additional teaching experience until an increment has been granted at the beginning of another school year, or February 1st, whichever is applicable.

5.1.1   No teacher shall receive increments for experience gained while not holding a valid teaching certificate.

5.1.2   No teacher shall earn more than one experience increment in any one school year.

5.1.3   The adjustment date for changes in the number of increments allowed for teaching experience shall be at the beginning of the school year or February 1st.

5.1.4   Substitute teaching shall be counted as teaching experience for incremental purposes.

5.2   The Board shall only recognize complete years of previous teaching experience for salary purposes provided such previous teaching experience was earned while employed by a Board of Trustees of a District, Division or County Board of Education as defined in the School Act, or by an Early Childhood Services Board operated under the guidelines of Alberta Learning.

5.2.1   Experience gained in jurisdictions outside the Province of Alberta, but within Canada and United States of America, operated in accordance with the statutes of that jurisdiction will be recognized as if it were earned while in the employ of the Board.

5.3   The onus of substantiating previous teaching experience rests with the teacher.

5.3.1   Proof of previous experience, or proof of having applied for same must be submitted to the Board within forty-five (45) calendar days of commencement of employment or the first (1st) day of school of each school year or February 1st, whichever is applicable.

5.3.2   If such evidence is submitted within forty-five (45) calendar days, salary shall be paid according to this experience effective the date of commencement of the school year, or the date of commencement of employment or February 1st, whichever is applicable.

5.3.3   If such evidence is not submitted within the aforementioned forty-five (45) days, the teacher shall be placed on the salary schedule according to the most recent acceptable statement of experience, and salary shall be adjusted effective the beginning of the month following submission of such evidence.

5.3.4   Until the teacher submits satisfactory evidence of previous teaching experience, the teacher shall be placed on the salary schedule according to the most recent acceptable statement of teaching experience or the minimum salary level applicable to the teacher’s years of university training.

5.4   Vocational Teachers

The initial placement of vocational teachers shall be in accordance with the grid placement, plus the following special payments:

5.4.1   Teachers trained under the Teacher and Vocational Trades Act will receive additional placement of one increment for each year of industrial experience (as decided by the Board) in the teacher’s vocational area.

5.4.2   Teachers trained outside or prior to the Teacher and Vocational Trades Act and employed to teach at least 50 percent (50%) of their time in vocational trades (as recognized by the Foundation Program Plan) or business education will receive half increments for each year of industrial experience, where such experience is pertinent to their teaching field, as decided by the Board up to a maximum of five (5) increments.

5.4.3   All increments combined shall be subject to the maximum for their categories of teacher training.

5.4.4   Teachers presently on staff may apply for re-evaluation under subsections 5.4.1, 5.4.2, and 5.4.3 above.

5.4.5   Vocational teachers who transfer to the academic teaching field shall not retain their additional placement on the salary schedule as permitted under subsections 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3 , and 5.4.4 above, unless the transfer is made at the request of the Board or its agent.

6.   UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

6.1   The Alberta Teachers’ Association Teacher Qualifications Service shall evaluate a teacher’s university education for salary purposes in accordance with the policies and principles approved by the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board established by Memorandum of Agreement amongst the Department of Education, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and the Alberta School Trustees’ Association, dated March 23, 1967.

6.2   Each teacher claiming additional teacher education, and each teacher commencing employment with the Board, shall submit to the Board proof of having applied to the TQS of the Association for a statement of qualifications for salary purposes within forty-five (45) calendar days from commencement of the school year, February 1st, or from the date of commencement of employment,  If satisfactory proof is submitted within the forty-five (45) calendar days, salary shall be adjusted retroactively to the applicable commencement of the school year, or employment, or February 1st, on receipt of the statement of qualifications from TQS.

6.2.1   If satisfactory proof of having applied to TQS is not submitted within the forty-five (45) calendar days, salary shall be adjusted effective the month following the submission of satisfactory proof of qualifications provided such month is not July or August.

6.2.2   In the event of an appeal or re-evaluation by a teacher of an aforementioned TQS evaluation, salary will be adjusted retroactively to the date of the evaluation being appealed or re-evaluated provided such action is initiated by the teacher within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the said TQS evaluation.  Written proof of such an action by the teacher is required by the Board to substantiate a claim under these provisions.

6.2.3   If an appeal or re-evaluation is not launched by a teacher within the said thirty (30) days, salary shall be adjusted effective the beginning of the month following submission of the result of the action by the teacher provided such month is not July or August.

6.3   Until the teacher submits satisfactory evidence of qualifications, the teacher shall be placed on the salary schedule according to the most acceptable statement of qualifications or according to the minimum education requirements for the teacher’s teaching certificate.

7.   SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

7.1   Substitute teachers shall be paid a per diem rate as follows including vacation pay.

7.2   A substitute teacher who teaches five (5) or more consecutive days in the same teaching position shall be paid effective the sixth (6) day and every consecutive day thereafter a daily rate equivalent to 1/200th of his/her placement on the salary schedule.

8.   SICK LEAVE

8.1   Sick leave benefits are sponsored by the Board and will be granted with pay for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment or on account of injury, illness or disability to the extent hereinafter provided.

8.2 (a) In the first year of employment with the Board, the teacher shall be entitled to statutory sick leave.  Should sick leave exceed the number of days of sick leave entitlement, any salary adjustment required shall be made on the last cheque issued to the teacher for the current school year.

(b) During the second and subsequent years under contract, annual sick leave with full salary will be granted for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment, or because of accident, sickness or disability for ninety (90) calendar days.

(c) A teacher who has more than one (1) year of service and has been absent due to medical disability shall, upon return to full-time duty, be entitled to an additional sick leave benefit of ninety (90) calendar days.

(d) For the purpose of this Agreement, an interrupted illness for the same illness shall be counted as one illness.

8.3   Before any payment is made under the foregoing provisions, the teacher shall provide:

(a) A statement, in a form approved by the Board, signed by the teacher substantiating the illness.

(b) At the request of the Board, a certificate from the teacher’s attending medical or dental practitioner where the absence is for a period of more than three (3) days.

(c) At the request of the Board or its designate, a certificate from a physician or dentist designated by the Board attesting to the illness or disability claimed provided there is no cost to the teacher.

8.4 (a) Teachers shall be eligible for sick leave from the onset of illness or disability to the extent of sick leave credited to them but not beyond the date of eligibility for benefit under the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan.

(b) After ninety (90) continuous calendar days of illness or medical disability, no further salary shall be paid.

8.5   Provisions of this Article shall not be applicable when a teacher is on another leave (other than sick leave) without pay, or while on strike.

8.6   In the event that a teacher wrongfully claims sick leave benefits or abuses the privileges, he/she shall be considered absent without leave and subject to disciplinary action.

8.7   When a teacher leaves the employ of the Board, all benefits contained under these provisions are cancelled.

9.   SABBATICAL LEAVE

9.1   Sabbatical leave shall mean any long term leave of absence granted to a teacher for professional development through study.

9.2   Sabbatical leave may be granted at the discretion of the Board.

9.3   The remuneration of a teacher granted sabbatical leave shall be determined by the difference between category 4 minimum and 4 maximum salary rates in effect at the time the leave commences.

9.3.1   Sabbatical leave for the duration of a semester or trimester may be granted by the Board.  Remuneration shall be calculated on a prorata basis in accordance with Article 9.3.

9.4   A teacher who is granted sabbatical leave shall give an undertaking in writing to return to his/her duties following the expiry of his/her leave and shall not resign or retire from teaching service other than by mutual agreement between the Board and the teacher, for a period of at least two (2) years after resuming duties.

9.5   Should a teacher, by mutual consent, resign or retire from the service of the Board before completing his/her two (2) years service following such leave, repayment of sabbatical leave salary shall be made to the Board on a prorata basis.  Teachers on Extended Disability Benefits shall not have this counted as a repayment period.

9.6   Experience increments will not be granted to teachers for the period of leave.

9.7   A teacher granted sabbatical leave shall enter into an individual written agreement with the Board as to the conditions under which he/she may return to the school system at the conclusion of the leave provided the individual contract does not contravene the Collective Agreement.

9.8   For leaves commencing on or after September 1st, applications must be made on or before the first (1st) of March.

9.9   The Board shall consider all applications before the fifteenth (15th) of March each year.  All applicants shall be informed of the Board’s decision on or before March 31st in each year.

10.   MATERNITY LEAVE

10.1   Teachers are entitled to maternity leave without pay for a period not exceeding eighteen (18) weeks.

10.2   When possible, a teacher will notify the Board of her leave requirements three (3) months in advance of the first day of leave.  The commencement of and return from maternity leave shall be determined by the teacher.  Notification of leave requirements shall be in writing.  A medical certificate certifying pregnancy and expected date of delivery shall accompany such notification.

10.3   A teacher returning from maternity leave is entitled to a teaching position with the Board.  Any teacher returning from maternity leave who was employed on a probationary contract immediately prior to the leave may, at the discretion of the Board, be offered a second probationary contract of employment.

10.4   The Board shall continue to contribute the Board’s share of health plan premiums during the entire maternity leave where the teacher chooses to continue coverage.

10.5   A teacher who is absent from teaching duties for a health related reason due to pregnancy that is substantiated by a medical certificate from a physician indicating the expected duration of the medical condition and the expected date of next assessment, shall, in lieu of salary provided in this agreement, accept supplementary unemployment benefits for the actual period of such medical condition pursuant to the medical evidence and a 95% Supplementary Unemployment Benefits (SUB) plan registered by the Board.  Effective September 1, 2014, the SUB plan will be increased to 100%.  Upon ratification of a collective agreement by the parties following August 31, 2016, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the SUB plan will return to 95%.

10.6   Maternity leave (other than the health related portion due to pregnancy defined in article 10.5) shall not be considered teaching experience for the purpose of granting salary increments.

Parental Leave

10.7   Teachers are entitled to parental leave without pay for a period not exceeding thirty-seven (37) weeks.

10.8   Teachers entitled to parental leave shall notify the Board, in writing, of leave requirements three (3) months in advance of the leave, if possible, and at the first opportunity to do so afterwards if the three (3) month requirement cannot be met.

10.9   Only one parent of an adopted child or a newborn shall be entitled to parental leave at a time.  When both parents are employed by the Board parental leave may be split between the parents.

10.10   A teacher returning from parental leave is entitled to a teaching position with the Board.  Any teacher returning from parental leave who was employed on a probationary contract immediately prior to such leave may, at the discretion of the Board, be offered a second probationary contract of employment.

10.11   One (1) day leave with pay shall be provided to a teacher to attend the adoption of his/her child.

10.12   The Board shall continue to contribute the Board’s share of health plan premiums during the first eight weeks of parental leave for the purpose of adoption where the teacher chooses to continue coverage.

10.13   Parental leave shall not be considered teaching experience for the purposes of granting salary increments.

10.14   Within the first year, return from parental leave shall occur when the teacher provides four weeks notice of intent to return.  Return from parental leave after the first year shall occur at the beginning of a school year or the beginning of a reporting period or at such other time as mutually agreed to by the teacher and Superintendent.

Extended Child Care Leave

10.15   Extended Child Care leave may be granted to a teacher without pay, allowances and other benefits of this agreement for a period up to one school year, following the period covered by maternity leave and/or parental leave:

(a) to provide care to the teacher’s child less than two (2) years of age; or

(b) to care for the teacher’s adopted child less than three (3) years of age or the teacher’s adopted child who is identified as a special needs child.

10.16   The teacher shall, in consultation with the Superintendent, determine the commencement date of the leave.  This consultation and notice of leave requirements shall occur three (3) months in advance of the leave where possible, and in any event, at least one (1) month prior to the commencement of the leave.

10.17   A teacher requesting return prior to the expiry of the extended child care leave will be considered for appropriate vacancies.

10.18   Leave taken for the purpose of extended child care shall not be considered teaching experience for the purpose of granting a salary increment.

10.19   Only one parent shall be granted extended child care leave under these provisions.

11.   LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR OTHER PURPOSES

11.1   Leave of absence shall be granted with pay under the following conditions:

(a) Up to three (3) school days for the critical illness and five (5) school days for the death, of a teacher’s spouse, son or daughter, parent, brother, sister, parent of spouse, grandparent, grandchild, or grandparent of spouse;

(b) Up to three (3) school days for critical illness and three (3) school days for death of brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or other relative who is a member of the teacher’s household.

(c) (i) Up to one (1) school day to attend to the medical needs of the teacher’s child or spouse, or for bereavement leave not covered by Clause 11.1 (a) or (b) above.  The teacher shall reimburse the Board an amount equivalent to the cost of a substitute teacher.

(ii) Effective September 1, 2014, clause 11.1(c)(i) shall be replaced by up to one (1) school day to attend to the medical needs of the teacher’s child or spouse.  Upon ratification of a collective agreement by the parties following August 31, 2016, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, this clause shall terminate and clause 11.1(c)(i) shall apply.

(iii) Effective September 1, 2014, up to one (1) school day for bereavement leave not covered by 11.1(c)(ii).  For such leave the teacher shall reimburse the Board an amount equivalent to the cost of a substitute teacher.   Upon ratification of a collective agreement by the parties following August 31, 2016, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, this clause shall terminate and clause 11.1(c)(i) shall apply.

(d) One (1) day of paternal leave with pay shall be provided to a teacher occasioned by the birth of his child.

11.1.1   Those days referred to in Article 11.1 may be extended at the discretion of the Board should additional time be required for travel.

11.1.2   Before payment is made under Article 11.1, the Board may require a medical certificate stating that critical illness was the reason for the absence.

11.2   A teacher is entitled to leave of absence with pay for one (1) day per calendar year to attend the teacher’s own convocation or for the writing of an examination related to the teacher’s academic studies.

11.3   A teacher who, despite reasonable effort, is unable to travel to his/her school from his/her usual place of residence because of (a) inclement weather, (b) impassable road conditions, or (c) failure of transportation facilities other than his/her own, is entitled to his/her salary for the periods of absence so occasioned.

11.4   Leave of absence for salary negotiations shall be granted to any three (3) teachers in the Golden Hills School Division No. 75 without loss of salary, provided, however, that the Board shall be reimbursed by the Alberta Teachers’ Association for 1/200th of the teacher’s salary for each day of such leave, if the Alberta Teachers’ Association initiates the negotiations meeting during the school day.

11.5   Additional leave of absence may be granted by the Board with or without pay.

11.6   The following conditions shall not be deemed to be an extension of a teacher’s individual contract which has been terminated:

(a) Compassionate Leave

(b) Maternity Leave

(c) Sabbatical or other special leaves of absence

11.7   Upon request to the principal, with two weeks notice where possible, a teacher shall be granted one day personal leave per school year except where circumstances put such a leave in conflict with the interests of the school.  Upon request to the Superintendent, with two weeks notice where possible, a principal shall be granted one day personal leave per school year except where circumstances put such leave in conflict with the interests of the school.  In either case, this day shall not be used to extend a holiday period or long weekend, except at the discretion of the Superintendent.

11.7.1   For any teacher under contract for 60 days or less in a school year, the provisions of clause 11.7 do not apply.

11.7.2   Any teacher under contract for 61 to 100 days in a school year shall be granted 1/2 day personal leave per school year.

11.7.3   Each teacher shall be entitled to accumulate unused personal leave to a maximum of five (5) days, in addition to the current school year entitlement.  Under no circumstances shall a teacher be approved for personal leave of more than five (5) days of personal leave in any one school year.  The personal leave shall not conflict with the interests of the school.

11.8   Leave with pay shall be granted:

(a) for jury duty or any summons related thereto;

(b) to answer a subpoena or summons to attend any court proceedings as a witness in a cause other than the teacher’s own.

11.8.1   The teacher shall reimburse the Board an amount equivalent to any witness or jury fee set by the court.

11.9   The Board shall be reimbursed 1/200th of the teacher’s salary for each day a teacher is absent to participate in the grievance procedure in any way.  The teacher shall inform the Secretary-treasurer of the Board regarding the appropriate billing procedure.  If payment is not received within 90 days of the date of billing, then the amount due shall be deducted from the teacher’s salary.

12.   CONDITIONS OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

12.1   No teacher shall be required to render service for more than 200 days in a school year, exclusive of designated and statutory holidays.

12.1.1   A teacher regularly assigned to classroom duties who agrees to render service in excess of 200 days shall be paid at the rate of 1/200th of the rate of the teacher’s total salary for each day the teacher is so employed in excess of 200 days.

12.1.2   Notwithstanding 12.1.1, it is recognized that teachers who are in receipt of an administrative or supervisory allowance shall accept the professional responsibility of having their units operational on the opening day of school each school term, semester or other division of the school year.  In a like manner, all teachers shall accept the professional responsibility of completing all activities connected with school opening and closing.

12.2   Programs operating outside of the school year will operate under separate contracts, and will not be considered part of the provisions of clauses 12.1, 12.1.1 and 12.1.2.

12.2.1   A teacher who is employed in accordance with clause 12.2 to provide such programs as instruction in credit courses for the Employer’s summer school, shall be paid for instructional hours effective the date of ratification as per the grid below, inclusive of general holiday and vacation pay.

13.   TRANSFERS

13.1   The Board may transfer teachers subject to the following conditions:

(a) A teacher shall not be transferred to another school within three calendar years of a previous involuntary transfer, unless the teacher agrees to said transfer.

(b) Teachers who are involuntarily transferred to another school shall be entitled to meet with the Superintendent of Schools prior to said transfer and receive, in writing, the reasons for the transfer.

(c) When a teacher is involuntarily transferred to another school subsequent to the commencement of the school year, the teacher will be provided three days of unassigned preparation time to prepare for the new assignment.

(d) The Board shall pay to a teacher who has been involuntarily transferred to another school, the reasonable moving expenses necessarily incurred by the teacher and the teacher’s family as a result of said involuntary transfer.

(e) If the teacher is involuntarily transferred to another school due to downsizing or school closure, clause 13.1 (a) above shall not apply.

13.2   The Board shall pay to a teacher who has been transferred to another school, the reasonable moving expenses necessarily incurred by him/her and his/her family as a result of transfer when the transfer is made at the request of the Board.

14.   GROUP INSURANCE

14.1   Participation in the plans is a condition of employment for all teachers who meet the requirements of the plan.

14.2   When enrollment and other requirements for group participation in various plans have been met, the Board will sponsor such plans to the portion agreed upon, and such sponsorship shall not exceed that which is authorized or accepted by the benefit agency.

14.3   The Board shall contribute toward the costs of the various premiums as follows:

(a) ASEBP Extended Disability Benefit, Plan D, Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Plan 2 – Ninety (90) percent  of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2008, Ninety-one (91) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2009, Nine-two (92) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2010, Ninety-three (93) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium.  Effective September 1, 2014, Ninety-six (96) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium.  Upon ratification of a collective agreement by the parties following August 31, 2016, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, ninety-three (93) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium.

(b) ASEBP Extended Health Care Plan 1 – Ninety (90) percent  of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2008, Ninety-one (91) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2009, Nine-two (92) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2010, Ninety-three (93) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium.

(c) ASEBP Dental Care Plan 3 – Ninety (90) percent  of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2008, Ninety-one (91) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2009, Nine-two (92) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2010, Ninety-three (93) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium.

(d) Alberta Health Care – Ninety (90) percent  of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2008, Ninety-one (91) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2009, Nine-two (92) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2010, Ninety-three (93) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium.

(e) ASEBP Vision Plan 3 – Ninety (90) percent  of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2008, Ninety-one (91) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2009, Nine-two (92) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium; Effective September 1, 2010, Ninety-three (93) percent of each teacher’s monthly premium.

Provided that it is consistent with the provisions of the Federal Income Tax Act, the Board contributions under this article will be applied in the most tax advantageous manner for each teacher enrolled.

Board contributions will be applied in the following order:

ASEBP EHC

ASEBP Dental Care

ASEBP EDB

ASEBP Life and AD&D

ASEBP Vision Care

AHC

14.4   Subject to the provisions of the master policies, all teachers appointed to the staff of the Board after the signing of this collective agreement shall be required to enroll in these ASEBP Plans and AHC.  All teachers enrolled in the plans on the signing date of this agreement shall continue to be enrolled in the plans.  A teacher may be exempted from participation in the Extended Health Care Plan, the Dental Plan and The Alberta Health Care Plan upon submitting proof of participation in these or similar plans through the teacher’s spouse.

14.5   Payments towards benefit plans by the Board shall permit it to retain and not pass on to teachers, any rebates of premiums otherwise required under Canada Employment and Immigration Commission (previously Unemployment Insurance Commission) regulations.

14.6   From the date teachers become eligible for disability benefits under the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan, no further sick leave benefits shall be paid by the Board for the period of that disability.

14.7   Teachers receiving disability benefits from the plan shall not receive sick leave benefits during the period of disability.

14.8   The Board shall deduct from the monthly salary of each teacher enrolled in said insurance plans, the teacher’s share of the monthly premiums and shall remit payment for premiums to the appropriate companies.

14.9   Effective March 1, 2003, and notwithstanding clause 14.6, when a teacher participating in the ASEBP Early Retiree package is employed on a temporary/interim contract by the Board, the teacher shall elect either the package of group insurance plans under article 14 or elect to remain on his/her Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) Early Retiree package of group insurance plans.

14.10   Where an eligible teacher elects to remain on his/her ASEBP Early Retiree package of group insurance plans, the Board agrees to share the premium contributions associated with the Teacher's Early Retiree package on the same percentage contribution as provided in article 14.3, and using the same pro-ration method as provided in article 14.3.

14.11   Subject to the Master Plan, as amended from time to time, any teacher previously exempted under the 1993/95 collective agreement shall retain that exemption if desired.

14.12   The Board will establish, exclusive to teachers on contract with the Board and their dependents only, a Health Spending Account based on full-time equivalency that adheres to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements.

Effective September 1, 2011, in the case of a teacher with a full-time equivalency of 0.5 or greater, the Board will contribute a monthly amount to a maximum of $650 per annum.

Effective September 1, 2011, in the case of a teacher with a full-time equivalency between 0.49 and 0.2, the Board will contribute a monthly amount to a maximum of $455 per annum. 

Any unused balance from the plan year will be carried forward to the next plan year as allowed by CRA requirements. The carried forward amount must be used by the end of the next plan year, or it will be lost.

Teachers leaving the employ of the Employer for any reason will automatically forfeit any unused balance in the teacher’s Health Spending Account.

This account will be administered by the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP).

Where two teachers on a continuing contract wish to share one full-time teaching position, they may apply to the Superintendent of human resources or delegated authority for a shared job assignment.  Such application must be made no later than March 15 of the school year immediately preceding the year in which the job sharing is to take place.

Teachers, who after April 1, 2007, request to share a single position will share the Board’s Health Spending Account in accordance with the full-time equivalency of the position based on each teacher’s full-time equivalency.

15.   GENERAL

15.1   Newly appointed teachers may be required to present a medical certificate of good health, and evidence of teaching experience.

15.2   This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their successors.

15.3   The Board retains all those residual rights of management not specifically limited by the terms of this Agreement.

15.4   A teacher on a probationary contract shall be notified in writing by the Superintendent or designate on or before June 5 as to whether or not the teacher will be offered a continuing contract.

16.   GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

16.1   A ‘grievance’ is defined as any difference between any employee covered by this agreement and the Board, or in a proper case, between the Local of the ATA and the Board, concerning the interpretation, application, operation, or alleged violation of this agreement, and further including any dispute as to whether the difference is arbitrable, shall be dealt with as follows, without stoppage of work or refusal to perform work.

16.1.1   The purpose of the grievance procedure provisions is to ensure that any grievance is processed in an expeditious manner, therefore, compliance with the provisions is mandatory.  If the respondent fails to comply with provisions of this procedure, the grievance is processed to the next step.  If the grievant fails to comply with all procedures, the grievance is at an end.

16.2   Step A

The grievance shall be in writing and must include a statement of the following:

(a) the name(s) of the aggrieved;

(b) the nature of the grievance and the circumstances which gave rise to the grievance;

(c) the remedy or correction the Board is requested to make;

(d) the section(s) where the Agreement is claimed to be violated.

Such written grievance shall be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Board and to the Secretary of the ATA Local within twenty (20) teaching days following the date of the occurrence giving rise to the grievance or when the grievant first became aware of the occurrence giving rise to the grievance.

The Board or a committee of the Board and the grievant(s) with or without an ATA representative, shall meet within fifteen (15) teaching days in an attempt to resolve the dispute.  The Board shall have fifteen (15) teaching days in which to render its decision in writing.

16.3   Step B

In the event the grievance is not settled after the date of submission of the grievance in accordance with Step A, then on or before a further ten (10) teaching days have elapsed from the time the written decision is received, the grievance shall be referred in writing by the grievant to the Secretary-Treasurer of The Golden Hills School Division No. 75, and the Chairman of the Teachers’ Negotiating Subcommittee.  The grievance committee shall be composed of two (2) representatives of The Golden Hills School Division No. 75 and two (2) representatives of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.  A quorum of this committee shall consist of all members.  The grievance committee shall meet and endeavour to resolve the grievance and shall render its decision in respect of the grievance within twenty-one (21) teaching days following the receipt of the submission.  If at least three (3) of four (4) of the grievance committee members reach a concurring decision as to the disposition of the grievance, that decision shall be final and binding.

16.4   Step C

In the event the grievance committee does not meet within twenty-one (21) teaching days following receipt of the submission or in the event the grievance committee does not reach a decision within the said time, then either party may, by written notice, require the establishment of an arbitration board as hereinafter provided.  Such notice must be given within ten (10) teaching days after the aforesaid twenty-one (21) teaching day time limit expires or if the grievance committee fails to render a decision.

16.5   Each party shall appoint one (1) member as its representative on the arbitration board within seven (7) days of such notice, and the two (2) members shall endeavour to select an independent chairman.

16.6   If the two (2) members fail to select a chairman within five (5) days after the day on which the latter of the two (2) members is appointed, they shall request the Director of Mediation Services to select a chairman.

16.7   The arbitration board shall determine its own procedure, but shall give full opportunity to all parties to present evidence and to be heard.

16.8   The arbitration board shall not change, modify, or alter any of the terms of this agreement.  All grievances or differences submitted shall present an arbitrable issue under this agreement, and shall not depend on or involve an issue or contention by either party that is contrary to any provisions of this agreement or that involves the determination of a subject matter not covered by, or arising from, the terms of this agreement.

16.9   The arbitration board shall give its decision not later than fourteen (14) days after the appointment of the chairman except with the consent of the Board and the Association by whose joint consent only shall such limitations of time be extended.  The findings and decisions of a majority of an arbitration board shall be the findings and decisions of the arbitration board and shall be binding on both parties.

16.10   Each party to a grievance shall bear the expenses of its respective nominee and the two (2) parties shall bear equally the expenses of the chairman.

16.11   Where any references in Articles 16 to 16.9, inclusive, are to a period of days, such period shall be exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, statutory and Board declared holidays.

16.12   Any of the aforesaid time limits may be extended at any stage upon the written consent of the parties.

17.   JOB SHARING

17.1   Where the Employer approves a job sharing arrangement involving two teachers sharing a single full-time position, the parties agree that the teachers involved will share, on a prorated basis, the cost of the provisions of this collective agreement so that no additional cost to the Employer will occur as a result of an approved job sharing agreement.