Strike Pay:
During the strike or lockout, the terms in the Collective Agreement regarding compensation do not apply. For those employees deemed essential, terms and conditions of employment including compensation, are contained in the Essential Services Agreement (ESA). Everybody else is considered on strike or locked out, and as such receives no compensation from the employer. The employer is legally obligated to continue benefits coverage for medical dental, disability, life or other insurance during a strike or lockout so long as the union pays the "premiums" for these costs.
The AASUA has its own Strike/Lockout fund and is also a member of the CAUT Defence Fund, which provides financial benefits during a strike. Because of this, we are able to provide “strike pay” to members in exchange for working “the picket line,” which includes all types of work in support of the strike, from walking the picket line, to calling members, making picket line signs, carrying out administrative tasks at the campaign headquarters. Those members who meet the minimum work requirements for the strike will be paid from the strike funds. The final number has not been determined, but we anticipate it will be in the neighbourhood of $110 - $120 per day, five days a week. Strike pay is not taxable, and no premiums are taken off, so members are able to keep 100% of what they receive. This level of net income is approximately equivalent to what someone earning an annual gross salary of $60,000 would bring home in a day. In addition to the strike pay, the AASUA would also pay directly to the employer the premium costs for your benefits coverage.
Pension Benefits:
The employer will also stop all pension contributions for the duration of any strike or lockout. This will impact an employee’s total pension contributions for the year in question and result in the time period of the strike being deducted from the total service calculation. Given that Canadian post-secondary strikes tend not to last more than 2-4 weeks, these amounts will not be terribly significant in light of people’s overall pensionable service and contributions. As per the rules of the UAPP, the member may be eligible to pay out-of-pocket for the missed contributions if they qualify. It is recommended that members contact UAPP for information directly.