::!: [t:: (!) ..J..J BETWEEN: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE GRANDE PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT #2357 AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF

Transcription

1 1- z w ::!: w w [t:: (!) <C w > 1- u w..j..j 0 u "Inspiring Excellence" SEPTEMB~R 1, 2013 TO AUGUST 31, 2017 BETWEEN: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE GRANDE PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT #2357 AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. COMPOSITION EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS Hours of Work Work Year Insurance Plans Pension Plan Travel Expenses Professional Organization Membership Fees General Policies Jury Duty Parking/Plug-ins SALARY ADMINISTRATION Salary Ranges Initial Placement Salary Increases Payment of Salaries Coordinator's Allowance Course Fee Reimbursement Health Spending Account STATUTORY HOLIDAYS SICK LEAVE OTHER LEAVES OF ABSENCE Personal Leave With Pay Personal Leave Without Pay Compassionate Leave Family Illness Maternity Leave Paternity Leave Special Leave

3 7. LONG SERVICE ALLOWANCE SEVERANCE MISCELLANEOUS TRAVEL ASSISTANCE BENEFIT APPENDIX A APPENDIX B APPENDIX C Government of Alberta Employee Information Sheet Summary of Common Subsistence and Travel Allowances..... Letter of Agreement- Provisional Psychologists Lieu Time for Professional Support Staff Under Individual Contract

4 1 1. COMPOSITION The Professional Support Staff of the Grande Prairie Public School District #2357 include those who occupy any of the following positions and are not required to hold an Alberta Teachers Certificate: Occupational Therapist Physiotherapist Psychologist Speech Language Pathologist Therapy Assistants (including those with post-secondary education as a Therapy Assistant) Together with such other positions approved by the Board, which may be added subsequent to the date of issuing this document. 2. EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS 2.1 Hours of Work Full-Time Employees: Provision of service will normally occur between 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (35 hour work week). However, it is recognized that there is a need for flexibility in professional hours. Arrangement for variation in regular scheduling, where necessary, should be made in consultation with the appropriate administrator. If in order to meet job expectations and requirements an excessive number of hours are required, then a review will be made of the job expectations and staffing needs. Part-Time Employees: A part time employees' salary will reflect the percentage of time worked, compared to the appropriate full time equivalent salary. All leave benefits referred to in this Agreement will be pro-rated to reflect the percentage of time worked compared to one full time equivalency. 2.2 Work Year Professional Support Staff shall return to work in August at a date on or before the return date for teachers employed by the Grande Prairie Public School District. The Director of Inclusive Supports will establish the return to work date and communicate the start date for each school year to all team members prior to June 15th of the previous school year. Consideration for establishing the start date shall be given to the start dates and any start-up training needs of all school districts supported by the Professional Support Staff.

5 2 There is a professional expectation that every staff member will return each school year prepared to begin operations immediately upon their return and when schools open. Professional Support Staff shall be entitled to the Christmas and Spring Break off with pay as provided for in the Board approved school calendar. 2.3 Insurance Plans In the event that the Board is convinced that benefit coverage through an alternative carrier can be had for significant savings, and the breadth and depth of the services provided by such carrier is identical to, or better than, those provided by the current benefit carrier, the Professional Support Staff will allow the carrier coverage to be immediately replaced with that of the alternate carrier. Membership in group insurance plans operated by the benefit carrier shall be a condition of employment of all eligible employees. Extended healthcare plan, vision care plan, and dental care plan: The Board shall contribute 1 00% of the monthly premiums payable per employee. 2.4 Pension Plan The employee shall participate in the Local Authorities Pension Plan unless conditions allow exemption. In the event that participation is undertaken the Board will make appropriate deductions from the employee's remuneration and remit these deductions on the employee's behalf to the appropriate officers of the pension plan. The employee hereby authorizes the employer to make such deductions. 2.5 Travel Expenses Travel Rates Professional Support Staff shall be paid the rates set from time to time by the Government of Alberta for expenses associated with travel on Board business with the exception of Personal Phone Calls provided in Clause and Meal Allowances, which shall be: Effective October 1, 2012 Breakfast Lunch Dinner $9.20 $11.60 $20.75 Meal reimbursement will only be provided for out-of-town trips where the employee stays overnight, or travels in excess of 200 km daily.

6 3 Adjustments during the contract term to the Board approved Meal Allowance rates shall apply to the Professional Support Staff. For round trips that accumulate over 200 kilometers, a rental car may be used, at the total expense of the District, with no allowance paid to the staff member. Use of personal vehicles may be implemented at the discretion of the employee when faced with inclement weather forecasts Personal Phone Calls The employee may claim one $ cell phone allowance, on a school year prorate basis Travel Allowance A per diem travel allowance consistent with the current Government of Alberta rates plus $15.00 may be claimed for travel where overnight stay is required. This allowance applies for each 24-hour period on travel status. This will be claimed on a personal expense account. 2.6 Professional Organization Membership Fees The Board shall pay 100% of one ( 1) membership in a Professional Organization that is a requirement of the profession and where the School District requires this qualification as a condition of employment. Payment shall be made upon presentation of a paid receipt General Policies and Administrative Procedures Professional Support Staff shall adhere to the approved Board Policies and Administrative Procedures of the Grande Prairie Public School District # Jury Duty Leave of absence shall be granted to a Professional Support Staff member to attend/answer jury duty, subpoena or summons in a cause other than the employees own. 2.9 Parking/Plug-ins Parking, including plug-ins, shall be at no cost to the Professional Support Staff Member.

7 4 3. SALARY ADMINISTRATION The following rate increases shall be applied to the salary grids for years 1 to 4 of the contract: Effective September 1, 2013: 0% on grid Effective September 1, 2014: 0% increase on grid. 1% lump sum included with June 2015 pay (for Therapy Assistants only) Effective September 1, 2015: 2% increase on grid Effective September 1, 2016: 2% increase on grid (for Therapy Assistants only) 3.1 Salary Ranges Professional Support Staff (Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Psychologist and Speech/Language Pathologists) covered by the terms and conditions of the contract shall be compensated based on the following salary schedule: 2013/ / /2016 Step 0 65,382 65,382 66,690 Step 1 67,915 67,915 69,273 Step 2 70,446 70,446 71,855 Step 3 72,976 72,976 74,436 Step 4 75,507 75,507 77,017 Step 5 78,039 78,039 79,600 Step 6 80,571 80,571 82,182 Step 7 83,101 83,101 84,763 Step 8 85,632 85,632 87,345 Step 9 88,165 88,165 89,928 Effective upon the completion of this Collective Agreement, all future salary increases for Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Language Pathologists, and Psychologists, shall be exactly the same percentage, and shall be applicable in the same calendar year, as those broadly granted members of the Alberta Teachers' Association Collective Agreement. Effective September 1, 2016, Professional Support Staff covered by the terms and conditions of the contract shall be given an initial salary placement that corresponds to their applicable step on the grid and five (5) years of education as identified by the Alberta Teachers' Association Collective Agreement in effect at that time. From this point forward, the initial 5-year placement shall be in effect. Effective September 1, 2017, Professional Support Staff covered by the terms and conditions of the contract may submit evidence of successful completion of 12 credit hours, beginning September 1, 2015, and that are

8 5 directly relevant to their role with the Association for consideration of salary placement that corresponds to their applicable step on the grid and six (6) years of education as identified by the Alberta Teachers' Association. Submission of graduate course completion for the purpose of salary grid adjustment shall be in writing to the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Inclusive Supports no later than September 30 of each school year. Adjudication of the request shall be completed by the Directors and will be communicated to the staff member by October 15 1 h of each school year Therapy Assistants covered by the terms and conditions of this agreement shall be compensated based on the following salary schedule: 3.2 Initial Placement 2013/ / / /2017 Step 0 44,250 44,250 45,135 46,038 Step 1 46,620 46,620 47,552 48,503 Step 2 48,992 48,992 49,972 50,971 Step 3 51,362 51,362 52,389 53,437 Step 4 53,733 53,733 54,808 55,904 Step 5 56,103 56,103 57,225 58,370 Step 6 58,472 58,472 59,641 60,834 Step 7 60,843 60,843 62,060 63,301 Step 8 63,215 63,215 64,479 65,769 Effective upon the completion of this Collective Agreement, all future Therapy Assistant salary increases shall be exactly the same percentage, and shall be applicable in the same calendar year, as those broadly granted members of the Grande Prairie Public School District Employees' Association. Employees shall be regarded as probationary during the first 130 working days of employment. A salary adjustment will not occur at the end of the probationary period. New employees normally start at the minimum range, however, past relevant experience will be considered in establishing the employee's starting salary. Relevant experience will be considered where the experience is in a very similar type of work. Initial placement will be at the discretion of the Superintendent or designate.

9 6 3.3 Salary Increases Employees may move through the range by being granted salary increases. The procedures for the granting of increases are as follows: a) On an annual basis on the anniversary date of hire, an increase shall be on the basis of experience with the Board, the results of an evaluation following a mutually agreed upon format, and the recommendation of the Superintendent, or designate. b) Salary ranges will be reviewed annually. Increases granted shall become effective and payable on the first day of the pay period in the month in which the anniversary date occurs and where an employee became eligible for such an increase. c) Movement through the range is not automatic, but may depend on experience and evaluation. 3.4 Payment of Salaries Individual contract salaries in the Grande Prairie Public School District #2357 are paid in 12 equal installments. Staff members under this agreement shall be paid on the third last teaching day of the month, by depositing their net salary in their bank accounts. July and August salaries will be paid on the regular June pay day upon request. 3.5 Coordinator's Allowance As appointed by the District, Coordinators shall receive an allowance equal to that of the Instructional Coordinator allowance established in the Instructional Collective Agreement. 3.6 Course Fee Reimbursement $12, will be allocated annually by the District to allow the members of this document, as identified in Clause 1 Composition, to request fee reimbursement for courses taken for University credit, or similar professionally related courses. Applications for reimbursement shall be made to the Superintendent, or designate, prior to September 30 for courses completed in the previous 12 months. Applicants must have been in the employ of the GPPSD for at least one year and be employed as of the above mentioned deadline date. Reimbursement will be made within 15 working days of September 30. The Superintendent, or designate, may consult with the Director of Inclusive Supports as to course appropriateness and/or eligibility. If total claims in one year exceed the allotted amount, all claims will be paid on a pro-rated basis according to the funds available. Unexpended funds shall not be carried over from one year to the next.

10 Health Spending Account Effective September 01, 2009 the Board shall contribute $ per fulltime equivalent employee per school year, for the use of the employee, his/her spouse and dependents, to a Health Spending Account. Contributions shall be provided on a quarterly entitlement basis with 25% of the annual contribution being contributed each and every subsequent quarter (November 30, February 28, May 31, and August 31 ). Individual employees who have a continuing, probationary, temporary or interim contract, including employees under contract but on leave, such as medical or maternity leave, shall be eligible to receive a quarterly contribution provided they have a contract of employment during the contribution period Effective September 01, 2010 the Board contribution under clause shall increase to $ per school year. 4. STATUTORY HOLIDAYS Professional Support Staff shall be entitled to the following holidays with pay: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and any other day duly proclaimed as a Provincial or National Holiday If any of the above holidays fall on a non-working day, a day off in lieu will be provided. 5. SICK LEAVE a) Twenty working days sick leave with pay shall be granted to an employee newly hired to the staff of the District. After a probationary period of 130 working days, the employee becomes eligible for sick leave benefits under Clause 5 b and 5 c. b) Annual sick leave with pay shall be granted to the employee for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment due to accident, sickness or disability for ninety (90) calendar days, except as noted in Clause 5 a. c) An employee who has been absent due to medical disability shall upon return to duty, be entitled to an additional sick leave benefit in the current year of ninety (90) calendar days. d) An employee who is absent from work 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 reason for such absence and, if the absence is for a period of more than five consecutive days, may be required to present a medical certificate. For absences of a period in excess of 30 calendar days the employee may, at the discretion of the Board, be called to furnish a

11 8 further medical certificate at the end of each month during the duration of the sick leave. 6. OTHER LEAVES OF ABSENCE Leaves of absence for Professional Support Staff shall be granted pursuant to the following: 6.1 Personal Leave With Pay a) Upon successful completion of the Probationary period, leave with pay for up to three (3) days per school year, for personal reasons, shall be granted upon written notification to the Superintendent or designate. b) Requests for leaves under this clause shall not be used to extend Summer, Christmas or Easter breaks. c) Leaves that coincide with the aforementioned breaks, but are not for the purpose of extending the breaks, may be granted by the Superintendent upon written application. d) Unused personal leave days may carry forward to the subsequent year to a maximum of six (6) days per year, including the current year entitlement. 6.2 Personal Leave Without Pay On written application, the Board through the Superintendent may grant personal leave. Personal leave which does not exceed thirty (30) consecutive days shall be leave without payment of salary. Personal leave which exceeds thirty (30) consecutive days shall be leave without payment of salary and without contributions by the Board to benefits. 6.3 Compassionate Leave Leave necessitated by the critical illness or death of spouse, child, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew or niece of an employee or their spouse; or other relatives who are members of the employee's household; or other persons at the discretion of the Superintendent shall be granted with pay by the Board as follows: a) up to and including five (5) days for critical illness; and b) up to and including five (5) days for death. Leave necessitated by the critical illness or death of an aunt, uncle; aunt or uncle of spouse; shall be granted with pay as follows: a) up to and including one (1) day for critical illness; and b) up to and including one (1) day for death.

12 9 At the Superintendent's discretion, a maximum of two (2) extra days for travel may be allowed. 6.4 Family Illness Up to five days leave with pay shall be granted per contract year to an employee to care for family members who are ill. Family member shall be defined as the employee's spouse, child, parent or other individual who the employee is the legal guardian or appointed caregiver. The Superintendent shall approve exceptions for special circumstances. 6.5 Maternity Leave Maternity Leave of Absence shall be granted by the Board on application by the employee. The terms of the leave will be in accordance with the Provincial/Federal regulations which apply. 6.6 Paternity Leave An employee shall be granted two (2) days paid leave to assist spouse in pre and/or post-natal care Special Leave a) Leave with pay for one (1) day may be granted to write an examination which is written for the purpose of increasing academic or professional qualifications. b) Leave with pay for one (1) day may be granted to attend the convocation of the employee or the employee's immediate family- spouse, son, or daughter. 7. LONG SERVICE ALLOWANCE Employees who have completed eight continuous years or more of satisfactory service and who have given 15 working days' notice of their intention to leave the Board's employment will be entitled to additional monies payable upon leave, of 30 calendar days, at the employee's rate of pay. 8. SEVERANCE Severance of employees shall be conducted in accordance with the Federal/Provincial regulations which apply. 9. MISCELLANEOUS 9.1 Extension of Contract

13 . 10 For the purposes of additional work outside of the term of the contract, for the Grande Prairie Public School District #2357, salary will be paid at a rate of 1/224 of the annual rate. Any work of this nature must be approved by the Superintendent of Schools in writing. 9.2 Term of Contract The contract term will be from September 1, 2013 to August 31, TRAVEL ASSISTANCE BENEFIT For those employees who are eligible and for the purposes of this Collective Agreement, up to $4, of the annual salary, as set out on the salary schedules attached to this document shall be considered to be a Travel Assistance Benefit paid in a designated area as defined by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and shall in no fashion add to the cost of salary or benefits to the employer and shall be in accordance with the provisions set by CRA. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement this ~, /~ ~ay of Professi nal Support Staff Under I dividual Contr t The Board of Trustees of the Grande Prairie Public School District #2357 Per: Chairperson I, Secretary Treasurer of the Grande Prairie Public School District #2357, certify that the foregoing Agreement was ratified and adopted by resolution of the Board at a duly constituted meeting thereof, held on the, May 14, 2015 and that the Chairman was then authorized to execute it on behalf of the Board under its seal. Seer~ Treasurer Grande Prairie Public School District #2357 jeff Olson, CMA, MBA, ICD.D Associate Superintendent Business Services Secretary-Treasurer

14 . APPENDIX A 11 _At~ Co'.'errrnent GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA EMPLOYEES SUMMARY OF TRAVEL RATES AND ALLOWANCES October 1, 2012 This notk.e sho'ni the mon frequ.ef'lfy cf;~ med tra'lt-el nnlll~ Mld allo..van es:: U c;.o.s t P'f lciiqm~or... for :df busloo" tr~ J throusllout the pi'olwa when an ompkr,~..::cts., prijoato moton"eillcle. Vehlde AlloWilnces Cl II ~ljy Cit diiowiln~ ot $10.lS.4dYme dri'!'in~ condition ll crw~tl! of ~&.!.S Mc;al Allowance-' (no rc:ccipt'io retquicc:-d) ii II rt RreaHast lur'ich D nor StJ.lO su.ro $2D.7S NOT!: Me;alara...ances ::~nd GST; therefore,. these m::r~ not be tfalmed ~ lf.t<tl ~IIQ"f. I!!lr \!ili~i'j Pcnsonal f'xpcm!;o Allowan<e (for eac.h tull 24-hour period on travea status) II a lnc.and Ot.ils"6! Cinlldli ~7. J.S $ ertirn~ Me~ls l:a: ~rch;ase ol a meal du "S or lmmedl.,tdt folkm 'n& completion of iji"tt iju1hon'.rrd.;r-e e ~rlod art'i:t~f'lan l houfll)(;olond the norf"\i1 CUlly flaull. - ~>P to $lo l5 (rec:elpt re~ulredf. t1 >'r,.i;jt".jcc~modiltfon ; no rcrrq p1$ roqli'fqt;f- S p9r n'ujtf or I:S Actu.tl oaccammoc:.3tian costs; rco:il=( rr-qulrcd - Flc.::asc request C-ov-crnmen1 r;rtc

15 APPENDIX B 12 LETTER OF AGREEMENT- PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS The agreement made this day of, between: Professional Support Staff Association ("the Association") and: Grande Prairie Public School District #2357 ("the Board") The Board agrees, when possible and when authorized by the Provisional Psychologist's University, to supervise the clinical practicum of the Provisional Psychologist. In doing so, the Board and the Association agree to the following terms and conditions of employment for individuals employed as Provisional Psychologists: 1. All terms and conditions of the Collective Agreement shall apply except as modified herein. 2. Provisional Psychologists shall be paid as follows: a. 80% of salary grid; during 1,600 hours of supervision b. 90% of salary grid when 1,600 hours of supervision is completed c. 100% of salary grid upon full and complete certification. 3. A $10,000 completion/retention bonus shall be paid to the Provisional Psychologist upon full and complete certification, provided the Provisional Psychologist has agreed to work for the School District as a registered psychologist for two full years following certification. Failure to work the full two years will require the employee to refund, on a pro-rated basis, the completion/retention bonus. 4. Provisional Psychologists shall be provided a term specific employment contract concluding at the end of each school year. Termination of the term specific contract during the term and renewal of any employment contract shall be at the sole discretion of the Board. 5. Provisional Psychologists employment evaluations shall meet the requirements of the University and the Board. Such evaluations may not follow the accepted standard within the Professional Support Staff contract.

16 13 Signed at Grande Prairie, in the province of Alberta. Grande Prairie Public School District #2357 Per: jeff Olson, CMA, MBA, ICD.D Associate Superintendent Business Services Secretary-Treasurer

17 14 APPENDIX C LIEU TIME FOR PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF Lieu time constitutes time off, for personal reasons during normal working hours, in exchange for worked overtime. Approval for weekend travel/work may be granted, in exceptional cases, by the Director of Inclusive Supports and should be preapproved. It is not to be a planned regular activity. Lieu time (at an hour for hour ratio) is intended to act as a compensation for team members who: Perform billable services in the evening or on weekend times for the convenience of clients. Provision of requ'~s~e_d workshops or any kind of service related to job duties at evening or weekend times. Travel at evening or weekend times for the purpose of delivering billable hours. Time spent on these activities is recorded in a monthly lieu time recording mechanism and use of lieu time is arranged with the Director of Inclusive Supports. Guidelines for use of lieu time are: Members will keep a record of all lieu time (accrued and taken) using an approved mechanism. Lieu time submissions are due monthly at the same time as monthly statistical submissions. Lieu time needs to be taken within six (6) months of accruement (or with a preapproved arrangement with the Director of Inclusive Supports). Lieu time can only be attached to holidays with the approval of the Director of Inclusive Supports. Lieu time must be used within the school year accrued or it will be lost. Lieu time will not be paid out at any time. Employees are expected to attain the 1000 billable hours of service/full time FTE per year before all lieu time owed is granted. A mutually agreed upon (between administration and team members) plan of establishing stated working hours and manageable caseloads with related time allocations for service development, documentation, etc., is intended to protect team members for unreasonable overtime demands, except in the three areas outlined which warrant the use of lieu time.

18 15 IN WIT~EREOF the parties have executed this Memorandum of Agreement this.&_ 4 day of, Professional Support Staff The Board of Trustees of the Grande Prairie Public School District #2357 S~-Treasurer jeff Olson, CMA, MBA, ICD.D Associate Superintendent Business Services Secretary-Treasurer