The Alberta Teachers’ Association

This agreement is made in duplicate this 22 day of October 2007, pursuant to the School Act, 2002 and the Labour Relations Code.

Between the Grande Prairie Roman Catholic Separate School District No 28 (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 the terms of employment and the salaries of the teachers have been the subject of negotiation between the parties; and

Whereas the parties have agreed to set forth these matters in an agreement to govern the terms of employment of the said teachers.

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH that the parties agree as follows:

1.0   This agreement applies to employees of the Board who as a condition of their employment must possess a valid teaching certificate issued under the authority of the Department of Education, the Province of Alberta, hereinafter collectively called the teachers, or, where the context requires, teacher. The superintendent of schools of the Grande Prairie RCSSD No 28 and any other designations which include the term superintendent are excluded from this agreement.

2.0   The salaries and the terms of the teachers' employment with the Board are governed by the provisions of this agreement and any statutory provision relating thereto.

3.0   This agreement takes effect on September 1, 2006 and shall remain in effect until August 31, 2007 or until varied by collective bargaining. Either party to this collective agreement may give notice to terminate or amend this agreement not less than 60 days and not more than 150 days immediately preceding the date of expiry of this agreement. Notice shall be in writing.

At the first meeting between the parties following such notice, the parties shall exchange particulars of the amendments the parties seek.

4.0   Salary Schedule

The Board shall pay all teachers the salaries and allowances as herein set forth and computed. All sums mentioned herein are per annum unless specifically stated otherwise.

Save and except substitute teachers, each teacher shall be paid 1/12 his annual rate of salary on the last Friday of each month, except December which shall be on the last teaching Friday.

4.01   The amount of teacher education of a teacher and the length of teaching experience computed as hereinafter provided shall together determine the annual rate of salary to be paid to each teacher employed by the Board, except those teachers under clause 8.

Tabulated below are the minimum and the maximum salary rate and the experience increments for each year of university education.

4.02   Salary Grid

September 1, 2006 – August 31, 2007

4.03   Alberta School Employee Benefit Plans - Life and AD&D Schedule 2, EDB Plan D -- Membership in the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plans shall be a condition of employment. The Board's contribution to the ASEBP covering teachers employed by the Board shall be 100 percent of the premium payable according to the salary entitlement under clauses 4.02 and 5.0 to 5.07 inclusive.

4.04   Alberta Health Care Premium Plan – The Board shall contribute 100 percent of the monthly premium per teacher registered in the plan.

4.05   Extended Health Care Premium Plan 1 – The Board shall contribute 100 percent of the monthly premium per teacher registered in the plan.

4.06   Dental Care Benefits, Plan 3C – The Board shall contribute 100 percent of the premium costs for each teacher who participates in the plan.

Membership in the plan for new eligible employees shall be a condition of employment. A teacher may be exempt from the condition of employment should he/she have spousal coverage.

4.07   Vision Care Plan, Plan 3 – The Board shall contribute 100 percent of the premium costs for each teacher who participates in the plan.

4.08   Canada Employment and Immigration Commission Rebate – It is understood that payments made toward the aforementioned benefit plans shall permit the Board to retain and not pass on to teachers any rebates of premiums otherwise required under the Canada Employment and Immigration Commission regulations.

4.09   Pension Benefits – For a retired teacher who is hired by the Board on a contract of employment other than substitute teaching and who is receiving a teacher pension, the Board will, each month that the teacher is employed, reimburse the monthly premiums for an amount equivalent to the ASEBP Early Retirement Plan Option One and Alberta Health Care premiums.

The cost to the Board of such premiums will be the lesser of the ASEBP retirement package premiums that the teacher may already be paying or the premium for another similar package selected by the teacher upon retirement. The premium reimbursement will be paid according to the number of calendar days that the contract is in effect divided by 365, times the annual premium.

The teacher upon employment under a contract must provide the Board with documentation from Alberta Health Care, ASEBP or similar plan regarding their benefit premium costs.

5.0   Additional Allowances

In addition to the foregoing salary there shall be paid an administrative allowance in accordance with the following schedule:

5.01   Principals' Administration Allowance

The administrative allowance shall be determined by:

5.01.1   Table I

 5.01.2   Number of pupils shall be calculated at September 30 of the current school year.

5.01.3   The administrative allowance for each child enrolled in the early childhood services program will be calculated at the same rate as for regular pupils.

5.02   Vice-Principal Allowance

A vice-principal shall be paid ½ of the principal's allowance for that school as calculated under clause 5.01, except as may be provided under clause 5.04.

5.02.1   In a school where the vice-principal designation exists, in the absence of the principal, the Board shall appoint an acting principal. In such an instance where he/she acts as principal for six or more consecutive school days, he/she shall receive 1/200 of the principal's allowance effective the sixth and subsequent consecutive school days.

5.03   Temporary Principal

5.03.1   In each school the Board shall appoint a temporary principal who will carry out administrative duties in the event that the principal and vice-principal(s) are absent from the school. Each appointment shall be made on an annual basis.

5.03.2   In a school where a vice-principal's designation does not exist, the temporary principal shall be paid an allowance:

Effective September 1, 2006 - $1,026 per annum

5.03.3   In a school where a vice-principal’s designation exists, the temporary principal shall be paid 50 percent of the allowance paid in 5.03.2.

5.04   Board Initiated Transfer of Principal/Vice-Principal

Notwithstanding any other provision of this collective agreement where a principal or vice-principal:

(a) Is required by the Board to transfer to another school or to another principal’s position;

(b) Has a designation of principal or vice-principal maintained by the Board;

(c) Such transfer results in a lower annual salary and allowance calculation under this collective agreement;

the Board agrees to maintain the annual salary and allowance being received at the time of the transfer until such time as the provisions of this collective agreement entitle the principal or vice-principal to an annual salary and allowance which is more than that being received at the time of the Board initiated transfer.

5.04.1   Board Initiated Transfers of Students

Notwithstanding any other provision of this collective agreement where student transfers by the Board result in a school's enrolment being lowered, the Board agrees to maintain the annual salary and allowance being received at the time of the student transfers until such time as the provisions of this collective agreement entitle the principal or vice-principal to an annual salary and allowance which is more than that being received at the time of the Board initiated student transfer.

5.05   Director's Allowance

A teacher designated by the Board as a director shall be paid an annual allowance of:

$10,557.23 effective September 1, 2006

5.06   Supervisor/Consultant

A teacher designated as a Supervisor or Consultant shall be paid an allowance that is 50 per cent of a Director’s allowance.

5.07   District Religious Education Consultant

Where the Board appoints a district religious education consultant he/she shall receive an allowance in accordance with Table II below plus 10 per cent.

5.08   District Principal

A teacher designated as District Principal shall be paid an annual allowance equal to the Base Administration Allowance as per clause 5.01.1. In the case where the teacher designated as District Principal is in receipt of an allowance under Article 5 – Additional Allowances, the teacher shall be paid the higher of the applicable allowance in effect at the time of the appointment as District Principal or an allowance equal to the Base administration Allowance.

5.09   Department Head

If a department head is employed, he/she shall receive an allowance in accordance with Table II below.

Table II

6.0   Application of Salary Schedule

6.01.1   New appointees to the staff shall be required to provide proof of having applied for same, to the Associate Superintendent of Business Operations within 30 of commencement of the duties, satisfactory evidence of age, teacher training, social insurance number and statement of teaching experience.

6.01.2   If the required documents are not received within the 30 days, the teacher shall be reverted to the most recent evaluated documents or the minimum teaching certificate held.

6.01.3   Each teacher shall provide such documents to the Board immediately upon receipt. All such transactions must be dealt with and completed within 10 months of the submission being made in 6.01.1 or 6.01.2. Once such documents are received they shall be applied effective the first of the school year or date of commencement of duties whichever is applicable.

6.02   Experience Increments

6.02.1   A teacher who has been under contract and has received salary for 110 equivalent full days in any given school year shall be credited with one year of experience for the purpose of increments.

6.02.2   Effective September 1, 2000 any teacher under contract with the Board who teaches less than 110 equivalent full days in a school year shall accumulate experience increments by combining teacher days to a total of 130 equivalent full days with this Board.

6.02.3   The requirement of 130 equivalent full days having been met, the teacher shall not begin to earn credit toward another experience increment until the commencement of another school year or February 1, whichever occurs first.

6.02.4   Any kindergarten teacher who has been under contract and has received salary for at least 80 equivalent full days of a school year will be credited with one half year of experience for purpose of increments. Payment for such credit is subject to clause 6.02.5 of this agreement.

6.02.5   The adjustment dates for experience increments shall be at the commencement of the school year, on commencement of employment and on February 1.

6.02.6   Teaching experience obtained by the teacher prior to engagement by the Board is counted as if it had been teaching experience in schools under the Board's jurisdiction. Teaching experience obtained in the college and/or university level will not be counted.

6.02.7   Effective September 1, 2000 substitute teaching with this Board shall be counted as teaching experience for incremental purposes.

6.02.8   No teacher shall be entitled to receive more than one experience increment for any one school year.

6.03   University Education

6.03.1   The Alberta Teachers’ Association Teacher Qualification 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 among the Department of Education, the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Alberta School Trustees' Association, dated March 23, 1967.

6.03.2   The adjustment dates for changes in the allowance for university education shall be on the first teaching day of the school year or upon commencement of duties.

6.03.3   Each teacher who completed additional courses toward further university education shall submit a statement from the Teacher Qualification Service Board or provide proof of having applied for same, to the secretary-treasurer of the school board within 30 days of commencement of duties.

7.01   Tuition Fees

7.01.1   The Board supports the professional development of the teachers in its employ and specifically requests that teachers continuously seek to improve their professional qualifications and abilities by taking courses for that purpose. Any teacher who successfully completes an accredited university course shall receive compensation from the Board according to Table III.

Table III (University Course)

Upon receipt of university fee statement – 100 per cent of University of Alberta tuition cost for a 6 credit course.

Upon receipt of university fee statement – 100 per cent of University of Alberta tuition cost for a 3 credit course.

7.01.2   The teacher who intends to take an accredited university course shall submit a resume of the course to the Board at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the course. The Board may waive the 30 day requirement in special circumstances.

7.01.3   The compensation set out above shall be limited to one full course per calendar year.

7.01.4   In order for a teacher to receive compensation from the Board an official transcript of the course may be submitted to the Board at any time during the calendar year, but must be submitted no later than January 31 of the following year. Compensation shall be paid by the Board to the teacher no later than one month following receipt of the transcript.

8.0   Substitute Teachers

8.01   A substitute teacher shall receive a flat rate for employment in accordance with the following schedule for each full and half day worked:

Effective September 1, 2006

$183.93 per full day inclusive of holiday pay

$91.96 per half day inclusive of holiday pay

8.02   Rate of pay for a substitute teacher who fills the same teaching position for more than five consecutive teaching days shall be paid 1/200 of their grid salary beginning on the sixth day.

9.0   Cumulative Sick Leave

9.01   During the first year of employment the statutory sick leave of 20 days shall accumulate at the beginning of each school year of service with the Board to the credit of each teacher to a maximum of 20 working days.

9.02   If a teacher is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment or because of accident, disability or sickness for a period or periods exceeding the statutory sick leave entitlement, he shall be paid his salary to the extent of the accumulated sick leave which then shall be reduced accordingly.

9.03   A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment or because of accident, disability or sickness for a period of more than three consecutive teaching days shall be required to present a medical certificate within seven calendar days of the commencement of the absence.

9.04   A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment or because of accident, disability or sickness shall be required to present a signed statement giving the reasons for such absence.

9.05   The Board shall be entitled to require a medical examination by a doctor selected and paid for by the Board if the sickness or disability extends for more than one month.

9.06   Sick leave granted under clause 9.0 shall be granted for the teacher's personal medical or dental treatment, accident, disability or sickness.

9.07   At the beginning of the second year of continuous employment with the Board and provided continuity of employment is not broken, a teacher shall be granted 90 calendar days of sick leave credits. All accumulated but unused sick leave shall be cancelled.

9.08   Subject to 9.01, a teacher who has been absent on sick leave and returns to regular duties shall have the 90 calendar day sick leave entitlement reinstated. However, in instances where the teacher has been continuously absent for a period of 60 or more calendar days, reinstatement of the sick leave entitlement shall be made contingent on the teacher providing a medical certificate, signed by a medical practitioner prior to the date of return, verifying that the teacher is able to return to work on a continuing basis. In addition the 90 days shall not be reinstated until the teacher has been actively at work for 10 consecutive teaching days, unless the absence is a result of a new medical condition supported by a certificate signed by a medical practitioner.

10.0   Sabbatical Leave

10.01   Sabbatical leave shall mean leave of absence approved by the Board on application by the teacher for the following reasons:

10.01.1   Study approved by the Board for improving the teacher's academic or professional education.

10.01.2   Travel or experience which is approved by the Board as being useful in improving the teacher's service.

10.02   To be eligible for sabbatical leave under clause 10.01.1, the teacher shall have served the Board for five years.

10.03   To be eligible for sabbatical leave under clause 10.01.2, the teacher shall have served the Board for five years.

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

10.05   All applications for sabbatical leave shall be submitted to the Board by February 28 preceding the school year in which the sabbatical leave is to commence.

10.06   A teacher who is granted sabbatical leave for the year shall receive as salary 55 percent of the grid salary in effect during the year of his sabbatical leave payable in equal monthly instalments; excluding any additional allowances.

10.07   A period of sabbatical leave shall not be considered as an equal period of classroom service for salary purposes.

10.08   Upon resumption of duties the teacher shall be returned to a position no less favorable than the one in which he was employed before the leave was taken.

10.09   Should a teacher by mutual consent, resign or retire from the service of the Board before completing the required two year service following such leave, the sabbatical leave salary shall be repaid to the Board on a prorated basis.

11.0   Leave of Absence With Pay at No Cost of Sub

11.01   A teacher is entitled to a temporary leave of absence with pay and such leave is deemed to be an authorized absence approved by the Board pursuant to the School Act where such a teacher is absent:

11.01.1   Compassionate Leave for Critical Illness

For not more than five teaching days because of critical illness of a spouse, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and the following relatives of either the teacher or teacher's spouse: grandparent, parent, brother, sister, grandchild, nephew, niece, brother-in-law, sister-in-law. Additional time may also be allowed at the discretion of the Board for travel.

11.01.2   Compassionate Leave for Death

For not more than five teaching days because of death of a spouse, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and the following relatives of either the teacher or teacher's spouse: grandparent, parent, brother, sister, grandchild, nephew, niece, brother-in-law, sister-in-law. If death occurs during leave for critical illness, the critical illness leave ceases upon death and leave for death commences. Additional time may also be allowed at the discretion of the Board for travel.

11.01.3   To Write an Examination

For not more than one day in order to write an examination in an academic or professional course.

11.01.4   Teacher's Convocation

For the period necessary to attend convocation of a university at which the teacher is receiving a degree, subject to the approval of the Board.

11.01.5   Meetings

To attend meetings of committees, Board or Alberta Learning or meetings of municipal bodies of which he/she is a member, subject to Board approval. The teacher must remit to the Board any remuneration (excluding expenses) paid for meetings held during the school day.

11.02   Paternity and Adoption Leave

Every teacher shall be entitled to one day leave with pay at the time of the birth or adoption of the teacher's child.

11.03   Personal Leave

In additional to the foregoing, every teacher shall be entitled to four days personal leave with pay, per year based on the following conditions:

(a) the first and second days shall be at full salary and be subject to the satisfactory operation of the teacher’s school as may be determined by the superintendent of schools. These days shall not be used to extend Christmas, Easter or summer holidays.

(b) the third and fourth days shall be at full salary less the cost of a substitute.

(c) if the third and fourth day of personal leave occur on a professional development day, other than teacher’s convention, then the leave shall be subject to the approval of the superintendent of schools.

(d) Notwithstanding the above, if a teacher is required to use personal leave day(s) to extend Christmas, Easter or the summer holidays, the day(s) must be at cost of sub providing the teacher has not already used those days.

11.04   Jury/Witness Duty

A teacher shall be granted by the Board such time as required for jury duty or for appearance as a subpoenaed third party witness. The teacher will return to the Board such fees as are paid by the court for such appearances.

11.05   Family Medical Leave

Each teacher is entitled to two days with pay in each school year to care for husband, wife, children under the age of 18 or older dependents who are ill or require medical or dental treatment.

12.0   Leave of Absence With Pay at Cost of Sub if Sub is Required

12.01   Temporary leave of absence with pay, providing the Board is reimbursed for the cost of a substitute teacher, shall be granted to a teacher who:

12.01.1   Attends any public event of educational value, subject to the approval of the Board.

12.01.2   Is required to leave before the end of the school term or to return after school opening in September because of enrolment in an educational institution for a program of summer study.

12.01.3   Is elected President of ATA Local 42 to a maximum accumulation of 20 operational days per year.

13.0   Leave of Absence Without Pay

13.01   In addition to the foregoing, a teacher may apply for a leave of absence without pay for other personal reasons. The Board, in its discretion, may grant a leave of absence for such a period as it deems adequate with the teacher making arrangements to pay 50 per cent of the applicable benefit premiums as per clauses 4.03 – 4.07, in advance. The portion of the benefits paid by the Board on behalf of the teacher during the leave of absence (50 per cent) must be remitted to the Board if the teacher does not return following the leave as mutually agreed.

14.0   Maternity, Adoption and Parental Leave

14.01   Maternity Leave

Maternity leave shall be for a maximum period of 15 weeks and shall be without pay.

14.01.1 (a) The teacher shall endeavor to notify the Superintendent of her leave requirements three months in advance, however, she shall give the Superintendent at least four weeks notice of the day on which she intends to commence maternity leave.

(b) Prior to the leave commencing, each teacher shall endeavor to provide the Superintendent with the date she plans on returning to work, however, she shall give the Superintendent at least four weeks notice of the day on which she intends to return to work.

(c) Any such notices shall be in writing.

14.01.2   The Board shall pay the insurance plan premiums under clauses 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06 and 4.07 during the 15 week period the teacher is on maternity leave.

14.01.3   The teacher shall access the Board's 100 per cent supplementary unemployment benefit plan for any health related period effective the date the birth of her child. However, it is understood that a teacher who is not eligible for employment insurance benefits may access sick leave in accordance with Article 9 for the health related portion of maternity leave. Medical documentation for the health related period shall be provided as specified in clause 9.03.

14.01.4   The teacher shall not receive more than 90 continuous calendar days of salary from any combination of pre-delivery sick leave and post-delivery supplementary unemployment benefit plan.

14.01.5   A teacher returning from such 15 weeks leave shall be returned to the position held at the commencement of the leave. In the event the position no longer exists, the teacher shall be returned to a comparable teaching position.

14.01.6   The health-related portion of the 15 weeks maternity leave shall be counted for increment purposes.

14.02   Adoption Leave

Adoption leave shall be for a maximum of 37 weeks and shall be without pay.

14.02.1   A teacher returning from such 37 weeks leave shall be returned to a comparable teaching position held at the commencement of the leave.

14.02.2   The teacher shall endeavor to provide the Board with at least three months notice of intent to adopt, however, the teacher shall give the Board at least two weeks notice of the date the teacher can reasonably expect to obtain custody of the child.

14.02.3   The Board shall pay insurance plan premiums under clauses 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06 and 4.07 during the 37 week period the teacher is on adoption leave.

14.02.4   Where both parents of a child are employed by the Board, the teachers may share the adoption leave. The Board is not required to provide leave to both parents at the same time. Where the leave is to be shared, the terms of the shared leave shall be arranged by the teachers and the Board.

14.03   Parental Leave

In addition to maternity leave, the teacher shall be eligible for a further leave without pay for up to 37 weeks provided such is continuous and complete within 12 months of the date the teacher first went on leave. The teacher shall give the Board at least four weeks of notice of the day on which she intends to return to her duties.

In addition to adoption leave, the teacher shall be eligible for a further leave without pay for up to 15 weeks provided such is continuous and complete within 12 months of the date the teacher first went on leave. The teacher shall give the Board at least four weeks of notice of the day on which s/he intends to commence parental leave and four weeks notice of the day on which s/he intends return to her/his duties.

A teacher that has not accessed either maternity or adoption leave is entitled to 37 weeks of parental leave provided the leave is taken within a year of the birth of the teacher’s child. The teacher shall give the Board at least four weeks of notice of the day on which s/he intends to commence parental leave and four weeks notice of the day on which s/he intends to return to her/his duties.

Where both parents of a child are employed by the Board, the teachers may share the parental leave. The Board is not required to provide leave to both parents at the same time. Where the leave is to be shared, the terms of the shared leave shall be arranged by the teachers and the Board.

14.03.1   During the leave in 14.03 the Board shall pay the insurance plan premiums under clauses 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06 and 4.07.

14.03.1.1   Any benefits received by a teacher following the first 15 weeks of the 37 week period, must be remitted to the Board if the teacher does not return as mutually agreed.

14.03.2   This leave shall be without pay and will not be counted for the granting of increments.

14.03.3   A teacher returning from such a leave shall be entitled to a comparable teaching position with the Board.

15.0   Work Outside of School Year for Designated School Counsellors

A counselor who agrees to render professional service during any vacation period at the request of the Board, shall be paid:

(a) 1/200 of his/her total annual salary for each day of service or

(b) for each day worked, in lieu of 1/200 of his/her salary, a counsellor may, at his/her discretion, take a day during the school year free from all assigned duties.

16.0   Lunch Time and Noon-Hour Supervision

A school staff may implement a noon-hour supervision program on a non-profit or cost recovery basis.

17.0   Monthly Staff Meetings

Where a part-time teacher attends regularly scheduled monthly staff meetings at times not consistent with the teacher’s instructional assignment, the teacher shall be paid 2/200 of grid placement annually. This payment adjustment shall be made on the teacher’s last pay cheque of the school year.

18.0   Professional and/or Faith Development Days

Part time teachers are required to attend that portion of a professional and/or Faith Development Day that is consistent with the teacher’s instructional assignment for that day.

19.0   Grievance Procedure

19.1   Any difference between the parties, any employee covered by this agreement and the Board or in a proper case between the Alberta Teachers’ Association 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.

19.1.1   Step “A” – Such difference (hereinafter called “a grievance”) shall be submitted in writing to the Associate Superintendent of Business Operations, the Chairperson of the Economic Policy Committee of the teachers of Grande Prairie Roman Catholic Separate School District No 28 and the Coordinator of Teacher Welfare of the Association. Such written submission shall be made promptly from the date of the incident giving rise to the grievance or from the date the grievor first had knowledge of the incident, whichever is later. Such grievance shall set out the nature of the grievance, the articles of this agreement which it is alleged have been violated and the remedy sought. It shall be responsibility of the respondent of the grievance to arrange a meeting with the grievor and/or his/her representative, within 10 days of receiving notice of the grievance, if a meeting is requested. The respondent shall review the grievance and within 15 days of receipt of the grievance shall render a decision in writing to the grievor, the chairperson of the Economic Policy Committee and the Coordinator of Teacher Welfare.

19.1.2   Step “B” – In the event the decision of the respondent fails to resolve the grievance, then either party may by written notice require the establishment of an arbitration board as hereinafter provided. Such notice must be given within 20 days after the date of receipt of the respondent’s written decision.

19.2   Each party shall appoint one member as its representative on the arbitration board within seven days of such notice and the two members shall endeavour to select an independent chairperson.

19.3   If the two members fail to select a chairperson within 10 days after the day on which the latter of the two members is appointed, they shall request the Director of Mediation Services – Alberta Human Resources and Employment, to select a chairperson.

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

19.5   The arbitration board shall not change, modify or alter any of the terms of this agreement.

19.6   The findings and decisions of the arbitration board shall be binding on the parties.

19.7   Each part to a grievance shall bear the expenses of its respective nominee and the two parties shall bear equally the expenses of the chairperson.

19.8   Reference to days in this clause shall be exclusive to instructional days.

19.9   The purpose of the grievance procedure is to ensure that all grievances are processed properly and expeditiously. If the respondent fails to comply with the provisions of the grievance procedure, the grievance may be processed to the next step. If the grievor fails to comply with the provisions of the grievance procedure, the grievance shall be considered abandoned. Time limits may be extended by the written agreement of both parties.

20.0   Northern Travel Benefit

Provided that all requirements of the Canada Revenue Agency have been met, for the purpose of this agreement, $4,000 (or such a maximum allowed by Canada Revenue) of the annual salary shall be set out as travel assistance benefit paid in a designated area as defined by Canada Revenue Agency and shall be indicated as such in the appropriate box on the annual T4 slip. The provision of this benefit shall in no fashion add to the cost of salary or benefits to the employer.

21.0   Extracurricular Activities

The parties recognize the value of extracurricular activities including the participation of teachers. However, teacher participation in extracurricular activities is voluntary. Should a teacher decide to participate in such activities the teacher will not be paid for such service.

22.0   Health Spending Account (HSA)

Effective September 1, 2007, the Board will establish for each eligible teacher a Health Spending Account for the use of the eligible teacher, his/her spouse and dependents, and administered by the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP), which adheres to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Income Tax Act requirements. The Board will contribute $300 per eligible teacher per year to such account, contributions to be made monthly. The unused balance will be carried forward to the extent permitted by CRA. Teachers leaving the employ of the Board for any reason will forfeit any remaining balance. In this article “eligible teacher” means any teacher on a continuing, probationary, or temporary contract of at least five months duration.

23.0   Nothing herein contained shall reduce the salary of a teacher below minimum payable immediately prior to the effective date of this agreement.

24.0   All previous agreements and schedules contained herein between or affecting the parties are hereby cancelled.

25.0   This agreement shall ensure to the benefits of and be binding on the parties and their successors.

Letter of Understanding – Re: Health Spending Account (HSA) Administration Contract

Whereas the Board and the Association have agreed to establish a HSA in accordance with Article 22 and given that the Health Care Spending Account Administration Contract exists between the Board and the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) as third party administrator, the parties agree that it is in the best interests of both parties to ensure that the HSA Administration Contract between the ASEBP and the Board accurately reflects the provisions and entitlements of Article 22. As such the parties agree that both the Board and the Association will work together with the ASEBP to ensure that the third party administration agreement fulfills the requirements of and in no way contravenes the collective agreement, prior to the ASEBP HSA Administration Contract being signed by the ASEBP and the Board. The signed HSA Administration Contract shall be made available to the ATA.