In this section, we’ve attempted to provide a broad overview of some of your key rights at work as a CUPE Unit 4 member. These are short summaries of the full language contained in your Collective Agreement, which we would recommend consulting for further details (you can also email staff@cupe3906.org with any questions).
Hours of Work
One of the major questions that CAs have brought forward pertains to the hours you work and the pay you receive, especially during the first few weeks in August and early September. Article 17.02(a)(i) of the Collective Agreement states that “Although it is acknowledged that there will be some variation week to week, a Community Advisor’s hours of work shall normally average 15 hours per week in a four (4) week period and shall not exceed a total maximum of 555 per appointment, without prior assignment and approval from their Supervisor based on operational needs” and 17.02(a)(ii) adds that these hours are for “all Community Advisor duties, inclusive of community support, training hours, meetings, Coverage shifts, duties related to Move In, Fall Preview, and all other assigned duties, except for additional work assignments during the Residence Holiday Closure Period.” In short, your CA position is for a total of 555 hours and will normally average 15 hours per week in a four week appointment, but it is possible to work greater than 15 hours per week in some instances, so long as the overall total hours does not exceed 555.
Article 17.05(e) states that “An Employee will not normally be scheduled to work more than eight (8) hours in a day or forty (40) hours in a week, except during Move-In periods, and Welcome Week.” This means that it is possible to work as many as 40 hours in a week in some instances. In total, however, your hours should not exceed 555, so you will be paid for each hour worked. The workload, however, is not always equal from week-to-week and there is some front loading of work at the start of the semester that is contemplated by the Collective Agreement.
Payment for Hours Worked
Article 23.03(d) states that “Roles that are paid a Stipend rather than an hourly wage rate are paid in equal installments on the University’s first twenty (20) regular pay dates between August 1 and April 30…..” The total stipend paid to CAs is $10,508 (consisting of $8,096 toward the room and $2412 in payment) which accounts for 555 hours of work. Since the payments are equalized over 20 weeks, it is possible to work more than 15 hours in one week (or weeks) and less in others and – on average – it will equal approximately 15 hours per week by the end and will not exceed 555 total hours. You will also be paid the same amount in the pay periods that include the fall and winter reading week (when you will be working much less), as well as the pay period over the exam and winter break, the latter of which you won’t be working at all during that pay period but will still be paid. This averaging model is similar to how TAs are paid in the sense that there is a week or two with a heavier workload (when they are grading essays or projects or exams) and many weeks with only minimal tutorial/lab contact time.
Meal Breaks
This language applies mainly during your orientation weeks. Article 17.05(f) states that “No Employee will work more than 5 consecutive hours without a 30-minute unpaid meal period. For an 8-hour shift, a 60-minute unpaid meal period will be provided” and 17.05(g) adds that “The University provides Employees with two (2) 15-minute paid break periods in an 8- hour shift.” It is possible, though rare, to work an 8 hour day and this is permitted with proper meal and lunch breaks.
