Joint #31 Article 26

November 12, 2000
Joint #31
Article 26

MISCELLANEOUS WORKING CONDITIONS

TRAVEL FUNDS

26.01 ASMs are expected to seek travel funds through grants or other external sources of funding to support travel to conferences and other proposed travel.

26.02 The University shall provide supplementary funds for the purpose of subsidizing travel of ASMs associated with their teaching, professional or research interests. The fund shall be $600 times the number of ASMs as of April 1 of each fiscal year. The funds shall be disbursed in accordance with Clauses 26.03 and 26.04.

26.03 The travel fund shall be distributed to each Faculty, School, College or Library on the basis of $600 times the number of ASMs in the unit.

26.04 Any ASM may apply for funds to subsidize the reasonable and necessary costs of travel referred to in Clause 26.02. The amount of the grant shall not be less than $600, or the total cost if less than $600, and may not unreasonably be denied.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY

26.05 The University shall maintain conditions on all University premises in accordance with an acceptable standard of safety and health in conformity with all pertinent regulations and codes. The University shall take reasonable measures to maintain the security of the buildings and grounds. In so doing, the University shall consult the affected Departments, Faculties, Schools, or Libraries.

26.06 The Occupational Health and Safety Committee shall be composed of six (6) members, three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the Association and three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the University.

26.07 The Committee shall hold meetings as the need arises on the request of the representatives of either Party, but in any event, at least every two (2) months.

26.08 A quorum for the conduct of business by the Committee requires at least two (2) members present from each of the Parties.

26.08#1u The University shall give advance notice to ASMs whose offices, laboratories, or teaching area(s) are in the vicinity before building renovations or alterations begin, including those that are likely to involve hazardous materials or noxious fumes.

26.08#2u When air quality tests have been performed concerning areas where ASMs work, the resulting reports shall be immediately provided to the Association. Once per calendar year, the University shall perform air quality tests of the air in each air supply system in buildings known to contain asbestos.

26.08#3u In circumstances where there is evidence that an ASM’s work space or immediate surroundings might reasonably pose a danger to his or her health, the University shall mitigate any danger or provide alternative work space.

INSURANCE

26.09 The University agrees to maintain the current level of general liability coverage for ASMs as provided for under its General Liability Policy. The University shall provide the Association with a copy of the General Liability Policy upon request.

OFFICE, TEACHING AND RESEARCH SPACE

26.10 The University shall use its best efforts to provide each ASM with adequate office, research, teaching and studio facilities. In normal circumstances, all such University facilities, existing and new, shall be maintained, cleaned, ventilated, and heated at levels not less than those in effect during the year preceding the date of signing of this Collective Agreement. Normally, Faculty Members shall be provided with fully enclosed, private and individual offices.

26.11 When constructing new office facilities, the University shall construct offices for ASMs consisting of approximately eleven (11) square metres of floor space.

26.12 The number of offices provided for Librarians in the 1998-99 Academic Year shall not be reduced.

26.12 #1u Upon completion of renovations to the QEII Library, Librarians shall be provided with fully enclosed, private and individual offices consisting of approximately eleven (11) square metres of floor space situated next to their usual work areas in the Library. In the interim, at the option of each Librarian, partitions shall be used to enclose a minimum working space for the Librarian of eleven (11) square meters.

26.13 ASMs shall have access to the offices and research facilities assigned by the University at all times, except:

(a) in emergency situations such as toxic chemical leakage, fire or bomb threats;

(b) a MUNFA strike or lockout of MUNFA, unless explicit permission is given under Clause 26.27;

(c) as a result of disciplinary action as specified in this Collective Agreement.

26.13#1u The University shall provide ASMs with facilities and space for the secure storage of research data for at least five (5) years following publication of findings based on the data. ASMs shall have timely access to their data and research materials in storage. Such access shall be restricted to the ASM or his or her authorized delegate.

SUPPORT SERVICES

26.14 The University recognizes the importance of support services to the work of ASMs. Thus, save and except changes brought about by technological change and the introduction of new work methods, the University agrees to use its best efforts to maintain secretarial services, Library services, duplicating services, mail services, telephone services, computing and electronic communication facilities, office material, postage, and supplies for their University work at levels generally consistent with those in existence during the year preceding 1 September 1999.

26.14#1u ASMs have a right to privacy in their personal and professional communications and files, whether in paper or electronic form. The University shall only have access to ASMs’ electronic communications and files to ensure the security of the computer facilities or information stored therein, and to ensure against degradation of computer system performance.

26.14#2u The University shall use its best efforts to provide ASMs the opportunity to access, through the library and computing facilities, all expressions of knowledge, intellectual activity, information and ideas, subject only to their accessibility/availability, financial constraints and to any restrictions imposed by law or University regulations in effect as of January 1, 2000 or any policies negotiated between the Parties.

PARKING

26.15 Upon application, each ASM shall be provided with one outdoor parking space. Normally, the space shall be within reasonable distance of his or her office. If, because of major construction, the University is unable to meet these requirements, the Parties shall meet to agree upon a fair allocation of parking spaces for ASMs.

26.16 During the life of this Collective Agreement, parking fees shall increase no more than ten (10%) percent from those in place April 1, 1999. Fees for new parking areas shall be equal to those charged in comparable parking lots.

26.17 The University shall provide sufficient racks in convenient locations for the secure on-campus daily storage of bicycles by ASMs.

RECORDING OF LECTURES

26.18 No lectures or classes shall be recorded without the written permission of the ASM in charge of the class.

26.19 The above notwithstanding, a student with a handicap or disability, recognized as such by the Dean of Student Affairs and Services, may request permission through the Dean of Student Affairs and Services to make an audio recording of class materials for his or her individual use only. If the Dean of Student Affairs and Services and the ASM concerned approve the request, the Dean shall notify the student concerned. The ASM’s approval of such requests shall not be unreasonably withheld.

26.20 Students with handicaps or disabilities, recognized as such by the Dean of Student Affairs and Services, may request through the Dean of Student Affairs and Services that an ASM employ non-recording technological aids to assist in the delivery of classroom or other materials. If the Dean of Student Affairs and Services and the ASM concerned approve the request, the Dean shall notify the student concerned. The ASM’s approval of such requests shall not be unreasonably withheld.

26.21 Where such technological aids require additional effort on the part of the ASM, it shall be considered in determining the ASM’s workload. The ASM shall consult with the Administrative Head before undertaking this additional task.

CHILDCARE

26.22 The University shall use its best efforts to provide personnel and facilities for the day care of at least twenty (20) children and after school care of thirty (30) children of ASMs aged from two (2) to eight (8) years at rates that shall not exceed 1.35 times the rates for full-time undergraduate students prevailing at the existing MUN Student’s Union Pre-school Centre. The University shall use its best efforts to ensure that such facilities are available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays when the University is normally open.

PAYMENT OF PORTION OF SALARY AS RESEARCH GRANT

26.23 Subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act and rulings of Revenue Canada, the University shall assist ASMs in designating a portion of salary as a research grant whether or not the ASM is on sabbatical leave.

STORMS

26.24 In the event of a serious storm, a Faculty Member and the Administrative Head, in consultation, shall decide whether to cancel classes or laboratories. The Faculty Member and the Administrative Head, in consultation, shall make suitable arrangements for making up class or laboratory sessions, should such a make-up be deemed necessary. Similar arrangements shall be made by a Librarian with the University Librarian; and, if necessary, any lost time shall be made up.

26.25 Provided that the provisions of Clause 26.24 are adhered to, an ASM shall not be subject to discipline for failure to perform duties during such a storm.

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

26.26 In the event of a strike or lockout of employees not in the MUNFA bargaining unit, ASMs shall not be required to perform the duties of those employees.

26.27 During strikes or lockouts involving the University, the University shall allow controlled access by ASMs to those of their research projects which would be irreparably harmed should such access be denied. The University shall consult with the Association regarding criteria and conditions for designating individuals to be permitted access, and shall notify the Association of the approved persons and conditions.
W. E. Schrank

J. E. Strawbridge