Bargaining Update #6
We have a Tentative Agreement!
Bargaining update for NAIT, Local 038 – Non-Academic staff
Here are some key highlights of the tentative agreement:
Article 15 – Hours of Work
September 30 will be a paid, non-operational day for all employees.
Article 17 – Overtime and Time Off in Lieu (TOIL)
Employees may now bank up to double the previous TOIL limit (72.5 hours or 80 hours, as applicable).
Article 25 – Disability and Wellness
General illness entitlement will now be based on completed years of service, allowing employees to reach 100% paid general illness entitlement sooner.
Medical proof of illness or injury can now be provided by a medical practitioner (including nurse practitioners, physicians, or surgeons).
Article 27 – Health and Dental Benefits
Effective January 1 each year, $1,000 will be allocated to each eligible regular full-time employee’s Flexible Health Benefit Spending Account ($200 increase from prior). Please note, the $200 increase will be allocated to Health Spending Accounts for the 2026/27 year period due to the allocation period occurring before the ratification of the tentative agreement.
Health professionals holding a master’s degree in social work are now eligible for reimbursement for psychological services under our Blue Cross benefits plan.
Article 31 – Special and Bereavement Leave
Special leave increased from 6 to 7 days per calendar year.
Employees may use up to 2 special leave days for personal matters with 2 weeks’ notice.
Special leave now may be used by employees to take immediate family members to medical appointments
Bereavement leave increased by 1 day, for a total of up to 5 workdays.
Article 42 – Tools, Uniforms, and Protective Apparel
$200 is provided for every twelve (12) month period instead of per calendar year for work-related clothing or protective equipment.
Article 49 – Temporary Employees in Applied Research
Expanded to include grant-funded or externally funded temporary employees.
Increased notice periods for temporary employees whose appointments are not extended.
Salary Increases
3% increase to salary grids effective July 1 of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Retroactive pay for eligible employees will be paid within 90 days after ratification.
Harmonizing of salary grid steps to be 3.5% for 6 classifications (Admin Support I & II, Customer Service Rep I, Maintenance Service Worker I, Service Worker, and Student Research Assistant)
Letter of Understanding RE: Workload
Establishes a process with timelines, for employees to raise workload concerns with leaders with the goal being to address underlying factors related to workload concerns and develop an action plan on how to address them.
The employee has the ability to bring AUPE representation to any formal meetings where workload will be discussed.
Next Steps
The tentative agreement is now moving forward for ratification, with votes to be held by both AUPE members and NAIT’s Board of Governors. The bargaining committees from both NAIT and AUPE are recommending approval of the agreement. For the agreement to take effect, it must be endorsed by both parties. The full draft agreement will be sent out on Monday, November 24 with in person and drop-in information sessions and electronic voting occurring on Friday, November 28.
More information will be posted as available.
Please contact a member of your negotiating team if you have questions.
AUPE NEGOTIATING TEAM – NAIT
Michael Johnson
michaelbruce_johnson@hotmail.com
Ray Walmsley
ray_walmsley@hotmail.com
Roxanna Sidorchuk
roxysidorchuk@gmail.com
Aline Robertson
aline.e.robertson@gmail.com
Andrea Klymchuk (Alternate)
aklymchuk@hotmail.com
Oleksandr Sukhoruko
olekvs@yahoo.com
Emily Devereux (Alternate)
emilyannedevereux@gmail.com
Lindsey Van Sloten
lindseylegreeley79@hotmail.com
Shahveer Ratnagar (Alternate
shahveer.edu@gmail.com
AUPE RESOURCE STAFF
Scott Drake Negotiations
s.drake@aupe.org