Colourful picket signs in support of the 2015 strike.
On Thursday July 9, CUPE 3903 filed a grievance as a result of continued incorrect pay amounts.
Errors in pay were first reported on May 25. At first, efforts were made to resolve the pay discrepancy in cooperation with the employer. On June 10, the day the employer promised an out-of-cycle payment to cover the shortfalls in May pay, more incorrect pay amounts were reported. Finally, on June 25, there were still numerous cases of incorrect pay amounts for the June pay, as well as cases in which the increase in Graduate Financial Assistance (GFA) was used to calculate a lower amount in other funding. The Executive demanded an urgent meeting with the employer, which took place on June 30. The employer responded that they do not believe that any widespread pay mistakes exist.
The grievance states:
The Union alleges a violation of the Collective Agreement in that the Employer has failed to provide the correct funding payment for members on the 25th May 2015, 10th June 2015 and 25th June 2015 pay dates. Furthermore the Union alleges a violation of the Collective Agreement in that the employer has offset GFA increases by decreasing monies from other sources.
CUPE 3903 demands an immediate payment of any amount owed to members, the payment of an additional 10% of members’ funding package, financial penalties to the be paid to the union, $25,000 of which is to be earmarked for the Ways and Means Fund, as well as information on funding which the employer has been withholding.
Paying members accurately and on time is not optional. The employer must resolve this immediately.
This is the second grievance filed this summer. The grievance regarding tuition offsets for international students is proceeding through the grievance steps. The union has received the employer’s formal response to our grievance, which was not favourable, forcing us to take it to the next level. We stand by the protection Letters of Intent 1 and 6 must afford our members. .