The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Collective agreement between the Grande Yellowhead Regional Division No 35 (hereinafter called "the Board"), of the first part and the Alberta Teachers' Association (hereinafter called "the Association") acting on behalf of the teachers employed by the Board, of the second part.

Whereas, the Association is the duly certified bargaining agent for the teachers employed by the Board, and

Whereas, such teachers' terms and conditions of employment and their salaries have been the subject of negotiations between the parties, and

Whereas, the parties desire that these matters be set forth in an agreement to govern these terms of employment of the teachers.

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH:

Article I – Term of Agreement

1.1 This collective agreement shall, except where otherwise specified, be binding on the parties and shall remain in effect from September 1, 1998 until August 31, 2000.

1.2 Either party to this agreement may serve notice on the other party in writing not more than 180 days and not less than 60 days prior to the termination date that changes or amendments are desired.

1.3 Notwithstanding the termination of this agreement, if notice has been served pursuant to clause 1.2 above, the terms and conditions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise altered through collective bargaining or until a strike or lockout commences, whichever comes first.

Article II – Scope

2.1 This collective agreement shall apply to teachers employed by the Board except teachers designated as:

(a) superintendent;

(b) director of education;

(c) director of business operations;

(d) coordinator of student services;

(e) director of technology and communications;

(f) coordinator of home education;

(g) divisional psychologist;

(h) coordinator of off-campus education;

(i) early literacy coordinator.

Article III – Salary and Payment of Salary

3.1 The amount of university education and length of teaching experience, computed as hereinafter provided shall together determine the basic salary rate for each teacher contracted by the Board. The minimum salary, maximum salary and increments for each year of teaching experience are calculated as below:

Effective September 1, 1998 to April 30, 1999

	One	Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
0			29,984	32,777	34,678	36,568
1			29,984	34,780	36,688	38,610
2			29,984	36,783	38,703	40,650
3			31,417	38,785	40,712	42,689
4			32,851	40,787	42,722	44,731
5			34,286	42,788	44,734	46,772
6			35,723	44,788	46,745	48,813
7			37,160	46,791	48,757	50,854
8			38,593	48,791	50,768	52,895
9			40,031	50,796	52,780	54,934
10	33,187	37,081	41,464	52,797	54,793	56,975
11	33,187	37,081	41,464	54,799	56,803	59,018

Effective May 1, 1999 to August 31, 1999

	One	Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
0			30,194	33,006	34,921	36,824
1			30,194	35,023	36,945	38,880
2			30,194	37,040	38,974	40,935
3			31,637	39,057	40,997	42,988
4			33,081	41,073	43,021	45,044
5			34,526	43,088	45,047	47,099
6			35,973	45,102	47,072	49,155
7			37,420	47,119	49,098	51,210
8			38,863	49,133	51,123	53,265
9			40,311	51,152	53,149	55,319
10	33,419	37,341	41,754	53,167	55,177	57,374
11	33,419	37,341	41,754	55,183	57,201	59,431

Effective September 1, 1999 to August 31, 2000

	One	Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
0			31,100	33,996	35,969	37,929
1			31,100	36,074	38,053	40,046
2			31,100	38,151	40,143	42,163
3			32,586	40,229	42,227	44,278
4			34,073	42,305	44,312	46,395
5			35,562	44,381	46,398	48,512
6			37,052	46,455	48,484	50,630
7			38,543	48,533	50,571	52,746
8			40,029	50,607	52,657	54,863
9			41,520	52,687	54,743	56,979
10	34,422	38,461	43,007	54,762	56,832	59,095
11	34,422	38,461	43,007	56,838	58,917	61,214

3.2 The Board shall pay every teacher 1/12 part of their annual salary, at the rate in effect during the month, on or before the last day of each calendar month.

3.3 The Board agrees to make available to a first-year teacher during their first month of employment a salary advance of up to $1,000 provided the teacher agrees to repay the advance within four months of their date of hire, upon termination or at the end of June, whichever occurs first.

3.4 Nothing herein shall reduce the salary of a teacher below the amount payable immediately prior to the effective date of this agreement.

3.5 It is agreed that Employment Insurance Commission rebates under the wage loss replacement plan are included in the salaries paid under this agreement.

Article IV – Teaching Experience

4.1 Teaching experience shall be recognized for increment purposes providing such service was gained while holding a valid teaching certificate. Such experience shall be calculated as though it had been gained with the Board.

4.1.1 A year of teaching experience shall be earned by performing required duties with a Board for at least 130 school days. When a year of teaching experience has been earned, the teacher shall not begin to earn additional teaching experience until the beginning of another school year. Substitute teaching shall not be considered as teaching experience.

4.1.2 On September 1 or on February 1 of each school year, a teacher who is eligible for an increment shall be placed on the next higher step on the grid.

4.1.3 Teachers who were being paid a half increment as at August 31, 1996 will be grandfathered until they reach an even step, at which time no further half increments will be awarded.

4.2 It shall be the responsibility of the teacher to obtain and supply the secretary-treasurer with proof of experience no later than 30 calendar days from the date of commencement of employment. Proof of years of experience may be by way of statutory declaration by the teacher before a Commissioner of Oaths. Until proof of teacher experience for salary entitlement is received, the teacher shall be paid at four years' training and zero years' experience. If proof of experience is provided within 30 calendar days, full pay is retroactive to the commencement of employment. But if the teacher fails to submit proof of teaching experience within the 30 calendar days, salary adjustment shall be effective at the beginning of the month during which proof is submitted.

4.3.1 A vocational teacher shall be designated as one who qualifies in one of the following categories:

(a) any teacher accepted by the University of Alberta in Vocational Plan H,

(b) any teacher accepted by the University of Alberta in Vocational Plan I,

(c) any teacher who has an Alberta journeyman's certificate or its equivalent and a valid Alberta teaching certificate.

Vocational experience to be recognized in the above clause shall be that experience gained following the date a candidate attains journeyman status or equivalent and further, such experience must be in the vocational area that the candidate is registered in while pursuing the university vocational education program.

Once placed on a salary schedule, vocational teachers shall be treated in the same manner as other teachers and may move down the grid as their experience increases and horizontally across as the years of teacher training increases.

4.3.2 The Board shall pay above the salary determined by clause 3.1, a vocational allowance of one increment, in the applicable category, for each year of such experience up to five years and 1/2 that increment, in the applicable category, for each additional year of such experience. Experience must be applicable to the subjects taught with proof of experience supplied as in clause 4.2. Application of this clause is subject to clause 4.1.3.

4.3.3 The vocational allowance, together with the minimum, shall not exceed the maximum salary in the applicable category.

4.3.4 Teaching experience following appointment shall be recognized by regular increments until the maximum salary in the applicable category is reached.

4.3.5 Advancement from one salary category to another shall be made as for any teacher with the vocational allowance as in the former category.

4.4 Save as aforesaid, no teacher shall receive increments for experience gained while he/she was not holding a valid teacher's certificate.

Article V – Teacher Education

5.1 The evaluation of teacher education for salary purposes shall be determined by a statement of qualifications issued by the Alberta Teacher Qualifications Service in accordance with the policies and principles approved by the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board, established by the memorandum of agreement among the Department of Education, the Alberta Teachers' Association and the Alberta School Trustees' Association dated March 23, 1967.

5.2 The adjustment dates for changes in salary based on teacher education shall be the first day of school in a school year and February 1. Proof of teacher education or evidence of having applied for same must be submitted to the Board within 45 calendar days of the above mentioned adjustment dates or commencement of employment. Failure to submit proof or evidence of application shall result in salary adjustment commencing the month following receipt by the Board. New teachers on staff will be paid at the level of the Alberta teaching certificate held until proof is supplied.

5.3 For the purpose of clause 5.2 written proof of application for a statement of qualifications issued by the Alberta Teacher Qualifications Service shall be written confirmation of such application as supplied to the applicant by the Alberta Teacher Qualifications Service.

Article VI – Administrators' Allowance

6.1 Administrators' allowances shall be added to the salary payable under clause 3.1.

6.2 Administrators' allowances shall be calculated as follows:

Principals' allowances shall be calculated according to the following schedule and shall be based on the student population in the school as at September 30 and, in the event that early childhood services programs commence after September 30, on the projected opening enrolment in those programs. Early childhood services students are counted as full-time students. If the actual early childhood services enrolment varies from the projected enrolment by more than 10 percent, the administrator's allowance shall be adjusted accordingly for the entire term of this agreement.

A basic allowance of 7.4 percent of the fourth year maximum of the salary grid, plus

An allowance of .07 percent of the fourth year maximum of the salary grid for each of the first 50 students in the school, plus

An allowance of .045 percent of the fourth year maximum of the salary grid for each of the next 100 students in the school, plus

An allowance of .042 percent of the fourth year maximum of the salary grid for each additional student in the school.

6.3 Assistant principals' allowances shall be 50 percent of the principal's allowance. Where there is more than one assistant principal in a school, the assistant principals shall share equally the allowance for one assistant principal.

6.4 An assistant principal shall be appointed in schools where the number of teachers is equal to or greater than eight.

6.5 Where a principal designate of a school is appointed, the principal designate shall be paid an administration allowance based on the projected opening student population of the school.

6.6 Designation of Acting Administrators

6.6.1 If a principal is absent from school for a period of one or more school days, the following shall apply:

(a) An allowance of 1/200 of the principal's allowance for each day of the principal's absence will be made available for disposition by the remaining members of the administrative team. The team shall decide the designation of acting principal and the allocation of said allowance.

(b) If, at the principal's absence, there are no other members of the administrative team, a teacher shall be designated acting principal, shall be granted the same amount of administrative release time as the principal and paid 1/200 per diem of the principal's allowance, effective the first day.

(c) Any of the above mentioned acting designations shall terminate upon the principal's return or at the date defined in the offer of designation.

6.6.2 If a member of the administrative team, other than the principal, is absent from school for a period of five or more school days, a teacher may be designated as an acting member of the team and shall be paid the same rate as the absent member, for the duration of the absence.

Article VII – Substitute Teachers

7.1 Certificated substitute teachers shall be paid .22 percent of the fourth year maximum of the salary grid for each day of substitute teaching.

After 10 continuous days of substitute teaching in the same teaching position, the substitute teacher shall be paid 1/200 of his/her grid position per day of substitute teaching. This shall be retroactive to the beginning of the continuous teaching period.

It is agreed that the above rates shall be deemed to include holiday pay.

7.2 Substitute teachers providing service:

(a) for a day will receive the daily rate;

(b) only in the morning or only in the afternoon shall be paid at the daily rate multiplied by the percentage of instructional time offered to students during that part of the day.

Article VIII – Group Insurance

8.1 The parties agree that a fringe benefit committee consisting of one representative of the Board, one representative of the Alberta Teachers' Association and one representative of the Canadian Union of Public Employees be formed and empowered to make decisions regarding the carrier to be used for the various insurance and benefit plans made available pursuant to this agreement. A quorum of this committee shall consist of all members and all motions shall require 100 percent unanimity to carry.

8.2 As a condition of employment, employees shall be enrolled in a group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance program. The Board agrees to pay 100 percent of the premiums for this program.

8.3 As a condition of employment employees shall be enrolled in an extended disability insurance program. The Board shall be responsible for the premiums of this program up to a limit of 1.5 percent of the insured salary. In the event that premium rates rise above 1.5 percent of the insured salary, the employee shall be responsible for that portion of the premium in excess of 1.5 percent of the insured salary.

8.4 The Board shall make available an extended health care insurance program. The Board agrees to pay that portion of the premium for this program which corresponds to the full-time equivalency of the employee.

8.5 The Board shall make available a program of dental insurance. The Board agrees to pay that portion of the premium for this program which corresponds to the full-time equivalency of the employee.

8.6 The Board shall enrol all eligible employees in the group Alberta Health Care Insurance Program. The Board agrees to pay that portion of the premium for this program which corresponds to the full-time equivalency of the employee.

8.7 Effective the first day of the month following ratification of this agreement, the Board shall make available a vision and hearing aid care insurance program. The program will be or equivalent to, Plan 3 - Vision 250/Hearing 500 (Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan). The Board agrees to pay that portion of the premium for this program, which corresponds to the full-time equivalency of the employee.

8.8 The Board shall make an employee assistance plan available to employees and their dependents who may be suffering from problems such as stress, psychological or physical illness, marital/family difficulties, drug/alcohol abuse, bereavement, etc which may affect the performance of the employee. Leave from duties to access employee assistance plan services shall be defined as sick leave. The first six sessions are at no cost to the employee or dependents. A fee of $20 per session will be assessed to the employee or dependent for any further sessions required. Employees subject to this agreement shall appoint two representatives to the employee assistance plan steering committee.

Article IX – Sick Leave

9.1 Upon the recommendation of a qualified medical practitioner, sick leave for planned treatment outside the province of Alberta shall be approved by the Board. The Board may require that the recommendation come from a Board approved medical practitioner.

9.2 For the purpose of this section, a teacher who is granted leave of absence by the Board shall be advised at the time the leave is granted whether or not he or she shall be considered to be continuously employed during such leave of absence.

9.3 Teachers participating in the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plans shall be allowed sick leave as follows.

9.3.1 Annual sick leave, with pay, shall be granted to a teacher for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment or because of accident, sickness or disability, in accordance with the following schedule:

In the first year of service with the Board, a teacher shall be granted 20 days of sick leave availability on commencement of employment, with no additional earning of sick leave entitlement during the first year of employment.

After one year of service with the Board, a teacher shall have an entitlement of 90 calendar days sick leave available continuously.

In the event of recurring absences related to an illness, disability or injury, only 90 days sick leave shall be available for that particular illness, disability or injury. The Board will accept the insurer's definition of a recurring illness, disability or injury.

9.4 Sick leave credits shall not accumulate during periods of sickness, disability or injury during the first year of employment.

9.5 Application for extended disability benefits shall be made as soon as there is medical evidence that the absence is of a long term nature.

The Board may require that a teacher receiving benefits under the extended disability plan shall participate in a treatment program through the employee assistance plan.

9.6 A certificate from an attending qualified medical or dental practitioner detailing the general nature of the affliction and providing an estimate of the date of return to work may be required by the Board to support claims for sick leave of three or more days.

9.7 For purposes of clause 9.6, the duration of a sick leave shall be deemed to be from the last day worked to the day of return to work.

9.8 Rather than adhere to clauses 9.6 and 9.7 on a universal basis, the Board agrees to rely on its administrators to identify those staff members who may be using sick leave privileges in an unprofessional manner.

9.9 When a teacher leaves the employ of his/her Board, all accumulated sick leave credits shall be canceled.

Article X – Maternity and Adoption Leave

10.1 Teachers shall be granted maternity leave in accordance with the Employment Standards Code, Part 2, Division 10, excepting that during the currency of the statutory maternity leave the Board will maintain the teacher's participation in the various fringe benefit and insurance plans in accordance with the provisions of the plan.

10.2 Prior to commencement of a maternity leave as specified in clause 10.1 of this agreement, a teacher employed under a continuing contract shall choose either option (1) or option (2) below. This choice shall become irrevocable on the first day of absence.

(1) The teacher may access the supplementary unemployment benefits plan which shall provide the maximum salary allowable under the SUB plan during 18 weeks of maternity leave.

(2) The teacher may access sick leave entitlement with pay as specified in clause 9.3.1 of the collective agreement for a period of sickness or disability arising from the pregnancy.

10.3 At the conclusion of the maternity leave and on application to the superintendent of schools at least 30 days prior to the conclusion of the maternity leave, a teacher may be granted a leave of absence without pay for such a period as may be mutually agreed to by the teacher and the superintendent of schools. The teacher shall have the option of maintaining, at her own expense, her participation in the various fringe benefit and insurance plans in accordance with the provisions of the plan.

10.4 Teachers are entitled to adoption leave without salary and benefits for a period not exceeding eight weeks. When possible, a teacher will notify the Board of the leave requirement three months in advance of the first day of the leave.

10.5 A leave of absence granted pursuant to clause 10.3 or 10.4 shall be from the general staff of the division. On its conclusion, while the Board undertakes to try to ensure placement in the same position, such placement is not guaranteed.

Article XI – Professional Growth Fund

11.1 The Board shall establish an annual fund equal to 3.5 times the fourth year maximum of the salary grid for a professional growth fund. Funds not expended in a given year shall be added to the total the following year. Any deficit in one year shall be taken from the total of the following year.

11.2 The fund shall be administered by a committee consisting of:

(a) the ATA Evergreen Local No 11 professional development chairperson or designate;

(b) one teacher representative from each of the five zones, selected according to the constitution of the ATA Evergreen Local No 11;

(c) two Grande Yellowhead Regional Division Board members; and,

(d) one education services centre administrative representative.

Each person in sections (a) and (b) shall have one vote. Each person in sections (c) and (d) shall have two votes.

11.3 Board policy 4060 "Professional Growth of Teachers" shall only be amended if agreed to by at least seven of the above-named votes.

11.4 All committee decisions shall be final and Board ratification will follow.

Article XII – Other Leaves

12.1 Compassionate Leave of Absence

12.1.1 Compassionate leaves of absence shall be specifically defined as permission for an employee to be absent from duty because of critical illness, critical accident or illness or accident requiring emergency medical treatment or death of an immediate member of his/her family or because of a request to serve as a pallbearer.

12.1.2 For the purpose of this section an employee's immediate family shall be interpreted as consisting of the following memberships:

Group "A" Relationships

Group "B" Relationships

12.1.3 The employee shall apply through his/her supervisor to the superintendent for compassionate leave of absence. The application must identify the relationship of the family member, the nature of the affliction and the location to which the employee is required to travel.

12.1.4 Compassionate leave of absence with full pay will be granted according to the following schedule:

Group "A" relationships - up to five days

Group "B" relationships - up to two days

In addition, up to two days leave of absence with full pay may be granted for the purpose of travel.

At the discretion of the superintendent, an additional leave of up to five days may be granted with partial loss of pay.

12.2 Jury/Witness Leave of Absence

12.2.1 Leave of absence without loss of salary shall be granted:

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

(b) to answer a subpoena or summons to attend as a witness in any proceeding authorized by law to compel the attendance of witnesses

provided that the teacher remits to the Board any witness fee or jury stipend (excluding allowances and/or expenses set by the court or other body).

Notwithstanding the above, such leaves shall not apply in cases where the teacher is appearing as the defendant.

12.3 Personal Leave

12.3.1 Subject to the school principal being able to arrange for coverage of a teacher's assignment, each teacher is eligible for two days leave of absence during each school year. The first such day shall be with full pay and the second shall be with partial loss of pay.

12.3.2 Personal leave days not used in a year may be carried forward to the next year. Unused personal days may accumulate to a maximum of five days with full pay and five days with partial loss of pay. The pay status of personal days carried forward will be the same as if the leave had been taken in the year earned.

12.3.3 Teachers who have greater than five unused personal days in either category, at the time of the signing of this collective agreement, will maintain such days until they are used by the teacher and until reduced to five in each category.

12.4 Family Medical Leave

12.4.1 On application to the superintendent of schools, a teacher shall be granted up to two days leave of absence with pay per year for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment not available locally for members of the teacher's immediate family where the assistance of the teacher is required. Immediate family shall be defined as the teacher's spouse and sons and daughters.

Article XIII – Deferred Salary Leave Plan

13.1 A maximum of eight teachers shall be granted a deferred salary plan leave of absence for a given year.

13.2 The memorandum of agreement shall be concluded by June 30 in the year of application to participate in the deferred salary leave plan.

13.3 Upon the conclusion of the leave of absence under the deferred salary plan, the teacher shall resume employment with the Board.

13.4 The deferred salary plan committee shall consist of two representatives of the Evergreen Local of the Alberta Teachers' Association and one representative of the Board. The secretary-treasurer of the Board or designate, shall act as recording secretary for the committee. Following each meeting, minutes shall be forwarded to the Board and to the Evergreen Local of the Alberta Teachers' Association.

13.5 "Eligible Teacher" shall be defined as any teacher on continuous contract and covered by the collective agreement while on leave.

13.6 Participants in the deferred salary plan shall pay the cost of fringe benefits covered by the collective agreement while on leave.

Article XIV – Job Sharing

14.1 Where two teachers wish to share one full-time teaching position, they may apply to the Board for a shared job assignment. Such application must be made no later than April 30 of the school year immediately preceding the year in which the job sharing is to take place.

14.2 A shared job assignment may be granted by the Board in accordance with the following terms.

14.2.1 The proportion of a full-time position taught by each teacher shall be mutually decided by the two teachers and must be agreeable to the Board.

14.2.2 On approval of the application of the teachers, the Board shall grant the shared job assignment for a guaranteed period of one school year. By April 30 in the school year of the shared job assignment, the teachers involved must advise the Board that they wish to return to their former status or they must apply for a continuation of the shared job assignment.

14.3 In the event that one of the teachers involved in the shared teaching position ceases to perform his/her teaching duties for any reason whatsoever, the Board may, upon 14 days' notice in writing, require the other teacher involved to assume the full-time duties of the formerly shared position.

Article XV – Part-Time Teachers

15.1 Teachers employed on a basis other than full time for the full school year, shall be paid an annual salary as determined above multiplied by the ratio that their employment bears to full-time employment.

15.2 Attendance of part-time teachers, who are not job sharing pursuant to article 14 of this agreement, at the Alberta Teachers' Association North Central Convention shall be recognized as full days of employment and the teacher shall be compensated accordingly.

15.3.1 Full-time teachers who hold a continuing contract with the Board may apply to the Board for a part-time assignment. Such application must be made no later than April 30 of the school year immediately preceding the year in which the part-time assignment is to take effect.

15.3.2 The Board may provide a part-time assignment to a full-time teacher under the following terms:

15.3.2.1 The part-time assignment shall continue from year to year at the same level full-time equivalency unless:

(a) the teacher provides notice of his/her intention to resume full-time duties;

(b) the Board provides notice to the teacher that he/she shall resume full-time duties; or

(c) the Board and the teacher mutually agree to a change in the level of full-time equivalency.

For both (a) and (b) above, notice shall be provided no later than April 30 of the school year immediately preceding the year in which the resumption of full-time duties is to take place.

15.3.3 Notwithstanding 15.3.2.1 above, the Board and a teacher may agree to a change in full-time equivalency at any mutually acceptable time.

Article XVI – Teacher/Board Advisory Committee

16.1 The teachers recognize the right and responsibility of the Board to formulate policy. Changes in working conditions not covered by this agreement shall first be proposed in a notice of motion at Board meetings.

16.2 The Board agrees to participate with members of the Alberta Teachers' Association in a teacher/board advisory committee. The following principles governing the committee are agreed.

(a) The committee shall consist of four Alberta Teachers' Association Local members, two trustees and two central office administrators.

(b) The main direction of the discussion shall be to examine aspects of the quality of worklife in the Grande Yellowhead Regional Division.

(c) Each group (Alberta Teachers' Association, trustees and central office) will look after personal expenses. The Board agrees to budget $1,000 to look after non-personal expenses.

(d) Discussion will be aimed at policy making rather than negotiations. Actions could include such things as recommending additions or changes to policy, representation to the government or contacting the public.

(e) If the teacher members of the teacher/board advisory committee unanimously petition to the superintendent of schools about changes in working conditions proposed in a notice of motion (under clause 16.1) within two weeks of that notice of motion, then the teacher/board advisory committee must be allowed to consider the proposed changes before they are implemented. A teacher/board advisory committee meeting to deal with the issue must be held within 10 teaching days of the petition.

Article XVII – Grievance Procedure

17.1 The Board shall establish an appeals committee consisting of three members of the board of trustees. An interpretation committee composed of two representatives of the Board and two representatives of the Association shall also be established. The Board's representatives on the interpretation committee shall not include more than one member of the appeals committee.

17.1.1 Any difference between any employee covered by this agreement and the Board or in a proper case between the Local of the Association and the Board concerning the interpretation, application, operation or alleged violation of this agreement, shall be dealt with as follows.

17.1.2 A quorum of these committees shall consist of all members.

17.2 Any teacher who considers that he/she has a grievance arising out of this agreement shall, within 20 school days from the date of the action giving rise to the grievance, lodge in writing a statement of the nature of this grievance to the secretary of the Local Association and a copy of the statement to the director of business operations.

17.3 If the grievance has not been settled within 15 days after the date of submission of the grievance, the secretary of the Local Association shall within 15 days thereafter give written notice to the director of business operations of the Board and to the members of the board of trustees - appeals committee requesting consideration of the grievance.

17.3.1 When the board of trustees - appeals committee receives notice of the submission of a grievance, it shall be required to give its decision within 15 days following the receipt of such notice and shall dispose of each grievance before proceeding to another, except whereby unanimous consent of the appeals committee the hearing of such grievance is adjourned for the purpose of obtaining further information.

17.4 If the grievance has not been settled within 15 days after the board of trustees - appeals committee hearing and/or the teacher disagrees with the decision of the appeals committee, the secretary of the Local Association shall within 15 days thereafter give written notice to the director of business operations of the Board and to the members of the interpretation committee requesting consideration of the grievance.

17.4.1 When the interpretation committee receives notice of the submission of a grievance, it shall be required to give its decision within 15 days following the receipt of such notice and shall dispose of each grievance before proceeding to another, except whereby unanimous consent of the interpretation committee the hearing of such grievance is adjourned for the purpose of obtaining further information.

17.4.2 If the committee reaches a majority decision as to the disposition of any grievance, that decision shall be final and binding.

17.5 If the committee does not reach a majority or any decision either party may, by written notice, serve on the other party within 10 days after the date on which the committee voted on the disposition of the grievance or within 10 days, whichever is the shorter, require the establishment of an arbitration board as hereinafter provided and if such notice is not served within the time limit, the grievance shall be deemed to be at an end. The parties may by mutual agreement consent to postpone the hearings of the arbitration board. Such notice shall contain a statement of the nature of the grievance.

17.6 Each party shall appoint one member as its representative on the arbitration board within five days of such notice and two members so appointed shall endeavor to select an independent chair.

17.6.1 If the two members fail to select a chair within five days after the date on which the last of the two members is appointed, they shall request the director of mediation services to select a chair.

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

17.7 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 during the term of this agreement.

17.8 The arbitration board shall give its decision no later than 14 days after the appointment of the chair except that with the consent of the Board and the Local of the Association such limitation of time may be extended. The findings and decision of a majority of the members of an arbitration board shall be the findings and decision of the arbitration board and shall be binding on the parties.

17.9 Each party to the grievance shall bear the expenses of its respective nominee and the two parties shall bear equally the expenses of the chair.

17.10 Where any reference in clauses 17.1 to 17.9 inclusive are to a period of days, such period shall be exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays.

17.11 If at any stage of the grievance procedure the grieving party fails to comply with stipulated procedure, the grievance shall be deemed to be at an end.

Article XVIII – General

18.1 All sums mentioned in this collective agreement are "per annum" unless specifically stated otherwise.

18.2 The Board shall make available a group registered retirement savings plan through a payroll deduction system.

18.3 The Board shall pay all reasonable moving expenses incurred by a teacher who is transferred from one school district to another at the request of the Board. Reasonable shall be defined as the average of two appraisals submitted by professional household movers.

18.4 The Board shall pay a travelling allowance as per Board policy to teachers who are required by the Board to teach in two or more schools. Teachers who apply for two or more positions are not eligible for travelling allowance.

18.5 All teachers are covered under a liability policy giving them protection against liability imposed by law for negligence resulting in bodily injury or property damage to students and any other person or persons in limits of $1,000,000 inclusive.

18.6 Staff deployment within a school shall be the responsibility of the superintendent of schools or designate and the principal in prior consultation with each individual staff member concerned. In the event of lack of agreement, the matter shall be referred to the superintendent of schools.

18.7 Notice of Vacancy

In the event of:

(a) the creation of a new position,

(b) a vacancy of a current position expected to exceed 90 days.

the Board shall advise each school of the above at leave five working days prior to the position being filled. This provision may be waived by the Board during the nonoperational periods of July and August.

18.8 Any teacher on approved division business shall be reimbursed at division rates for expenses incurred. Only activities authorized by the superintendent of schools or designate shall be reimbursed.

18.9 The parties to this agreement recognize that education delivery systems are in a state of flux and that staffing levels may be impacted by changes in education finance and technology. The parties agree that necessary reductions in the professional teaching staff will be effected by attrition and that professional teaching staff who hold continuing contracts with the Board will not be subject to involuntary lay-off until June 30, 1995.

Letter of Understanding

Management rights and responsibilities are issues which merit clarification and discussion.

The parties agree to the following:

(a) A special committee of teachers and Board representatives be established to review and research management rights and make recommendations to be presented to the Alberta Teachers' Association - Evergreen Local No 11 economic policy committee and the board of trustees of Grande Yellowhead Regional Division No 35 regarding a clause that could be enclosed in the collective agreement.

(b) A report shall be prepared by May 1, 2000.