Local 92 – NSAC/Dalhousie University Bargaining Update : Please respond re: Tuition benefits

Dear Local 92 member,

Contract negotiations continue with Dalhousie University on the merger of Local 92 members into existing NSGEU bargaining units: either Local 77 (technical and administrative/clerical) or Local 99 (trades and custodial).   The Union and Employer met on July 18 and have July 22, 24, and August 18, 21, 25, 27 and 28 scheduled for further talks.

One of the provisions being discussed at the bargaining table is the implementation date of the Local 77 and Local 99 tuition benefits (Article 40 for Local 77 and Article 24 for Local 99).  The Employer advised that they are not willing to consider any retroactive application back to September 1, 2012; therefore, the parties have not reached agreement when this provision will become effective.

In order to review this matter further, the Union is seeking information from members about whether they or their relatives have taken university credit courses at Dalhousie University since September 1, 2012.  Therefore, we encourage members to advise us of the following information by August 11, 2014.

1.         Since September 1, 2012 have you taken any university credit courses (up to 12 credit hours) in any faculty of Dalhousie University?

Further, are you planning to take any courses for the September 2014 term?

If yes, please provide us with details of each course and whether or not your tuition fees were paid for by Dalhousie University.  The details should include the course term, the fee amount, the credit course and faculty.

At the beginning of the course term, were you a non-probationary permanent employee?

2.         Since September 1, 2012 has your spouse taken any university credit courses in any undergraduate program in any Faculty other than Dentistry, Law or Medicine?

Further, are there any plans for your spouse to take any courses for the September 2014 term?

If yes, please provide us with details for each course and whether or not the tuition fees were paid for by Dalhousie University.  The details should include the spouse’s name, the course term, the fee amount, the credit course and faculty.

At the beginning of the course term, were you a full-time permanent employee with 2 or more years of seniority with the provincial government or Dalhousie University?

3.         Since September 1, 2012 has your child or children taken any university credit courses in any undergraduate program in any Faculty other than Dentistry, Law or Medicine?

Further, are there any plans for your child or children to take any courses for the September 2014 term?

If yes, please provide us with details for each course and whether or not the tuition fees were paid for by Dalhousie University.  The details should include the child/children’s name(s), the course term, the fee amount, the credit course and faculty.

At the beginning of the course term, were you a full-time permanent employee with 2 or more years of seniority with the provincial government or Dalhousie University?

Please forward your information or inquiries to Employee Relations Officer, Tina Webber, at twebber@nsgeu.ca or 1-877-556-7438 by Monday, August 11, 2014.