CUASA Job Action Policy
Adopted on March 20, 2025
Approval Authority: CUASA Council
Overview
The purpose of the Job Action Policy is to determine provisions around loss of pay to members of the Association due to lockout or strike.
Eventuality
In the event of a strike, all CUASA members are required to remove as much of their labour from the University as is possible, including regular job duties (teaching, grading, supervision of students and employees), service to the University (committees, administration), and as much research activity as possible.
Members are required to respect CUASA’s picket lines and not enter the University Campus without an approved picket pass (see below).
During a strike, the Employer will stop pay for all Association members, even those who might choose to cross the picket line to work.
Continued pay by the University for members who are on sabbatical or other forms of paid leave (including sick leave, long-term disability, maternity/parental leave, etc.) will need to be negotiated between the Association and the University.
Eligibility – Strike Pay
In the event of a lockout or strike, Association members who take part in strike duties (see below) are eligible to receive strike pay. Considerations for members unable to participate in strike actions are outlined below.
To be eligible for lockout/strike pay, all assigned duties must be carried out fully and in accordance with any directions specified by the Association.
A member found to have crossed picket lines without an appropriate picket pass (see below) will be notified by the President that they are no longer eligible to participate in strike activities or receive strike pay from CUASA for the duration of the strike.
Members who are on leave without pay shall not be eligible for lockout/strike pay unless they participate in job action activities.
Strike Duties
The primary duties of CUASA members during a strike shall be picketing in person.
The Association may assign other non-picketing in-person or remote duties as deemed necessary. These duties may include leafleting, media monitoring, managing phone and email trees, organizing rallies and meetings online or in person, preparing and delivering food and supplies, performing support duties at strike headquarters, or any other strike-related activities.
The assignment of non-picketing duties will be prioritized for members requiring accommodation (see below).
Accommodations
Members requiring accommodation, for example due to disability or extenuating circumstances, may be assigned non-picketing duties as appropriate. It shall be the responsibility of the member to notify the Executive Director of a request for accommodation.
In exceptional circumstances, the Association may excuse a member from performance of duties, with strike pay. This shall normally be for accommodation-related or similar reasons, for example related to disability or family care, when performance of duties is not otherwise possible through accommodation, for example through assignment of alternative or modified duties or through flexible scheduling of shifts. It shall be the responsibility of the member to notify the Executive Director of a request for excuse from duties. Supporting documentation may be required. The President, the Treasurer, and the Executive Director will make the decision on whether a request for excuse from duties will be approved within two business days of the receipt of the request.
Lockout/Strike Pay and Hours
CUASA is a member of the CAUT Defence Fund. In the event of job action, the Defence Fund will provide $96/day in lockout/strike pay beginning on the fourth day of the job action.
The Association will provide lockout/strike pay for the first three days of job action from its internal strike funds, at the same rate.
Lockout/strike pay shall be calculated based on a daily rate (1 fully-completed shift of assigned duties = 1 day of support for job action). A fully-completed shift is normally four (4) hours in length. Members may complete up to 5 shifts per week, to be entitled for five days of lockout/strike pay.
The daily rate shall be a combination of Defence Fund benefits and top-ups from CUASA’s internal funds. The daily rate shall not normally be less than $100/day and not normally more than $150/day. In the event of job action, CUASA Council will authorize the daily rate on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
Members must sign-in at headquarters or with a picket captain to be counted for lockout/strike payment.
Lockout/strike pay will be issued on a bi-monthly basis, being the 15th and last day of the month. Payment will be issued either by cheque or electronically, as determined by the Finance Committee.
Picket Passes
In the event of a strike, access to the Carleton University campus for special circumstances will need to be negotiated with the Employer as a part of a Strike Protocols Agreement.
While members are generally expected to not cross CUASA’s picket lines, under certain exceptional circumstances, members may apply for and receive a picket pass. A picket pass is a document giving a member approval from the Association to cross the picket line and enter University property.
Members who have planned conferences or other events off-campus that cannot be cancelled may also request a picket pass to engage in these activities while a strike is ongoing.
Members needing to request a picket pass should contact the Executive Director, or see a picket line captain at the Bronson Avenue/Sunnyside Drive entrance to the University.
Disputes
Should a dispute arise with respect to this policy, the President, the Treasurer, and the Executive Director shall render a decision.
