Strike Vote – (Monday, February 13 (9:00a) – Tuesday, February 14 (5:00p))

Pursuant to the PEI Labour Act, the UPEIFA cannot declare or authorize a strike until after a vote has been taken by secret ballot and the majority of employees voting has voted in favour of a strike.

In order to provide your negotiations team with the leverage it needs to reach a fair and reasonable agreement, the UPEIFA Executive Committee is strongly encouraging its members to vote in support of a strike.

In the event that FA Members vote to provide the UPEIFA Negotiations Team and Executive Committee with a strike mandate, the UPEIFA has committed to:

• Not calling a strike during Canada Games (February 18 – March 5)
• Giving our employer (UPEI Board of Governors) an opportunity to significantly improve its proposals prior to calling a strike

A Strike Vote FAQ is available at https://www.upeifa.ca/strike-frequently-asked-questions/.

On Monday morning, FA members will receive a secure link for a strike vote. If you are eligible to vote and do not receive a link by Monday morning, please let us know at [email protected].

To learn more about the issues that are being addressed in bargaining, download the Talking Points document [PDF].

UPEIFA Strike Pay

With support form the CAUT Defence Fund, UPEIFA members on strike are entitled to strike pay. Further information on strike pay is available at https://www.upeifa.ca/strike-frequently-asked-questions/.

UPEIFA Strike Protocols

The UPEIFA’s Policy Governing Strike Action During the Collective Bargaining Process provides important information around expectations and protocols in the event that job action becomes necessary.

In addition, for the last few weeks the UPEIFA has been attempting to negotiate strike protocols with our employer in the event that job action becomes necessary. While the employer has declined to sign a strike protocol memorandum of agreement, they have provided further clarification on a number of issues.

Campus Kids Child Care Centre & UPEI Health and Wellness Centre

UPEIFA members may continue to access both the Campus Kids Child Care Centre and the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre, provided they do not engage in strike related activities during such access.

Health Insurance Premiums

The employer recently notified the UPEIFA that in the event of a strike, it would no longer pay its share of premiums for our members’ health insurance. With support from the CAUT Defence Fund, the UPEIFA has made arrangements to cover these payments for the duration of the strike. This includes coverage for:

• Supplemental Health Coverage (Blue Cross)
• Group Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Emergency Medical Travel Insurance
• Employee and Family Assistance Program

Long-Term Disability Coverage

The employer has notified the UPEIFA that Long-Term Disability (LTD) Coverage will stop if we initiate a strike. For those members currently on LTD, coverage will continue. New claims originated during a strike will not be processed until the strike comes to a conclusion.

Approved Leaves of Absence (i.e. sabbatical, sick leave, pregnancy etc.)

Several minutes before our UPEIFA Negotiations Meeting, the employer notified FA members on various approved leaves that in the event of a strike, these members would lose their compensation and benefits unless they formally agreed not to participate in the strike.

Pursuant to UPEIFA policy:

Unless advised otherwise by the Member, any Member who is on sabbatical leave, or another type of paid leave, will not be considered to be on strike by the Association. The Association takes this position since the Member’s service to the University has already effectively been withdrawn. To this end, the Association will attempt to negotiate with the Employer to ensure that salary and benefits premiums for such a Member continue to be paid as normal during a strike.

The Association will, thus, not expect such a Member to participate in strike duty but they will also not be eligible for strike pay. The absence of such a Member from the picket line shall not be interpreted as a lack of support for the strike. Such a Member would be expected not to cross the picket line, without the prior approval of the Strike Adjudication Committee.

Notwithstanding the above, if either the Employer withholds salary from such a Member anyway or the Member indicates to the Association that they wish to participate in the strike and the Employer withholds her/his salary as a result, the Association shall extend strike benefits to such a Member. It is the responsibility of the Member to inform the Association if such situations arise. However, the Member would, then, be expected to participate in strike duty. Should the Member believe that there are extenuating circumstances that may prevent them from participating in strike duty, they should contact the Strike Adjudication Committee immediately for direction. Should such a Member cross the picket line without the prior approval of the Strike Adjudication Committee, strike benefits would be immediately terminated.

Further information is available on our website. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected].