Previous Articles - 2009

PAY RATES
October 15, 2009

IDENTIFIED FOR TRANSFER, LAYOFF, AND RECALL

Staff Association Members
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) (PDF)

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM YOUR CONVENTION COMMITTEE
October 28, 2009
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Calgary Board of Education   
Special Corporate Offer!

The Power of Women Series Presents

Barbara Walters, Erin Brockovich & Loretta LaRoche!
Live in Calgary, AB, September 18th, 2009 • 9:30AM to 4:30PM* 
Calgary TELUS Convention Centre 

Staff and guests of the Calgary Board of Education are eligible to receive a corporate discount.  A block of tickets have been set aside for Calgary Board of Education staff and their guests. > Read More

WorldSkills Calgary 2009

The WorldSkills Competition is coming to Calgary September 1-7, 2009.
For more information on WorldSkills Calgary 2009, please click here.

TERMS OF SETTLEMENT SUMMARY

August 28, 2009
Wage Increase for 2009 / 2010 – ATA, SA, PSS and CUPE

Welcome to the 2009 / 2010 School Year.

The majority of Calgary Board of Education (CBE) employees are awaiting news of the general wage increase for the 2009 / 2010 school year. The CBE collective agreements with the Alberta Teacher’s Association (ATA), the CBE Staff Association (SA), the CBE Staff Association Professional Support Staff (PSS), and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) all provide a wage increase at the start of the school year.

The wage increases in the ATA, SA, PSS, and CUPE collective agreements for the 2009 / 2010 year are based on the percentage change in the Alberta Average Weekly Earnings (AAWE) index from 2007 to 2008. The AAWE index is calculated by Statistics Canada.

The method of calculating the AAWE index would have resulted in a wage increase of 4.82% for 2009 / 2010. The Government of Alberta provided specific funding increases to school boards for 2009 / 2010 based on the original AAWE calculation. Statistics Canada later revised its’ method of calculating AAWE, resulting in an AAWE change to 5.99% instead of 4.82%.

Given this change, there have been considerable discussions between the Government of Alberta, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), the ATA, and Statistics Canada, regarding the two calculations of AAWE. These discussions have not resulted in a resolution to this issue.

Until this issue is resolved, the CBE is expediting the 4.82% wage increase for ATA, SA, PSS, and CUPE. The new rates of pay will be implemented on the first pay deposited in September. We await further clarification regarding the AAWE index calculation.

Due to the delay in receiving confirmation of the AAWE percentage to be applied, the CBE was unable to process the 2009 / 2010 wage increase for time worked in August 2009 by 10-month employees covered by the SA, PSS, and CUPE collective agreements or employees covered by the ATA collective agreement who are paid a daily rate or an hourly rate. A retroactive adjustment will be provided to these groups of employees on or before October 9, 2009.

If you have any other questions regarding this matter please contact the Employee Contact Centre at 1-877-353-2555 or by email at cbe.clientservicescentre@telus.com

AAWE (Alberta Average Weekly Earnings)

We know this is the big question on everyone's mind right now and, unfortunately, we don't have an answer to give.  The Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta Government are still in discussion, and a decision has yet to be reached.  As soon as we hear we will post the information on our Website and send out notice through the Keeping In Touch Team (KIT's).  If the decision is not made prior to our first pay, then the CBE will pay everyone retro-actively once the decision has been reached, and a grievance will be filed September 1st, 2009.

Negotiation News

We are currently negotiating with TSS (Telus).
See Negotiation News tab for more information.

Records of Employment to be Submitted to
Service Canada Electronically via the Internet

This year, your Record of Employment (ROE) will be submitted to Service Canada electronically via the internet on your behalf. Therefore, there is no longer a requirement for a paper copy to be issued.

CBE will automatically submit the ROEs in July after the final pay period that applies to your employee group:

• 10-month Support Staff – ROEs to be issued July 9th
• Teachers with Temporary Contracts or Terminating Contracts – Roe’s to be issued July 10th
• Substitute Teachers – ROEs to be issued July 17th
  All substitute teachers will also receive a letter confirming the number of days worked in the last school year once the final pay period has been completed

For those of you applying for Employment Insurance (EI), we have provided some additional information to assist you in the application process:

• The main Service Canada website is located at www.servicecanada.gc.ca The contact number is 1-800-206-7218
• During the application process, you will be asked if you are part of a group layoff. Indicate YES and provide the following reference code 4753012009SCHOOL
• Return to work date is a mandatory field. If you have not been provided with a date, indicate 10/10/2010

If your position falls into a category that is not listed above, you can request an ROE by contacting the CBE Employee Contact Centre at 1-877-353-2555 or by email CBE.clientservicescentre@telus.com.

DRUG CARDS

The Drug Cards were mailed out as of April 1st, to all eligible employees as described in the Collective Agreement.  If you have not yet received your PDD card in the mail but believe that you should have, please verify your eligibility coverage and ensure that your personal information is correct in PeopleSoft.  If you have done this and have not received a PDD card, please notify the CBE Employee Contact Centre by telephone at 1-877-353-2555 or e-mail at cbe.clientservicescentre@telus.com.  

To get information about your Pay-Direct Drug Plan card or other eligible plan benefits, please call the SunLife Customer Care Centre at 1-800-361-6212 any business day between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (EST).

SUN LIFE CLAIMS

Effective Monday, April 20, 2009, all claims for students, from age 21 to age 25, will be paid by Sun Life.
If an employee has had a declined paper claim for their student since April 1, 2009, Sun Life is reprocessing and will pay this claim. If an employee, with a Pay Direct Drug Card, had a claim declined for their student at the pharmacy and the claim was returned by Sun Life; then this paper claim will need to be sent back to Sun Life for payment.

Additional LAPP Deductions for 2008 Required

In discussions with LAPP it has become clear that both retroactive salary and vacation pay must be treated as pension eligible earnings and must be used in LAPP contribution calculations. This means that additional deductions for LAPP contributions are required which relate to the retroactive salary paid to Staff Association members in August, 2008 as well as vacation pay now being paid bi-weekly for 10 month employees. Both of these matters arose as a result of the Collective Agreement which was ratified in 2008.

> Memo from TELUS Sourcing Solutions, Feb. 13, 2009 (PDF)
> Employee Pension Contribution - Options Form (PDF)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

The Staff Association would like to congratulate all the “new” Directors that were elected at the Information and Election Meeting held on Tuesday, March 17th, as well as welcoming back our Directors that were re-elected!  The Board of Directors now consists of Cathy Evanochko, Dorothy Hall, Albert Herscovitch, Lindy Lemay, Wanda Stevenson, Sherry Vaskovics, Jenica Copithorne, Max Girvan, Lois Robb and myself, Jean Minifie.  It is with deep regret that we are losing one of our Directors who has been with us for the last two years, Almas Rajwani-Rawji, we will miss you and your insight. Thank you for serving the membership!

Once again there was a very small turn out at the meeting and the decision to elect six new Directors was put on the shoulders of approximately 58 members.  That’s not even an average of one representative from every worksite – not an ideal situation!

The Directors and Management of the Staff Association put in countless hours acting on your behalf.  You have elected them to do just that. Every Director not only attends monthly meetings, but sits on three or four other committees that require meetings, work and communication. Although our contract was signed last June, there are still outstanding issues, for which a Task Force was put into place to work with the CBE.

How disappointing to those who have worked so hard, and did, in fact, have good news to share that so few Staff Association members actually attended the meeting .  It was very disheartening to have the support of less than 58 members out of over 3,000, when so many benefit from the efforts of these elected Directors, and yet the only time some members show-up is if we are voting on a contract and it involves money!

Sincerely,

Jean Minifie

LAPP Group Pension Retirement Sessions

Representatives from the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) will be providing three group information sessions for CBE employees at the Highfield Building (3610 9th Street SE) on March 31 and April 1, 2009. LAPP members need only attend one session. There is a maximum of 35 participants per session.

Each group session will be approximately two hours and will cover topics including contribution rates, pension calculation, retirement options, termination options and purchasing optional service.

You must register before March 20, 2009, so that LAPP can calculate your pension estimate and provide it to you at your session.

To register for a session click here.

2008 T4 Slip Information for Employees with LAPP Contributions

For the 2008 tax year, employees who are active members of the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) will receive two T4 slips:

• The main T4 slip, labeled “Statement of Remuneration Paid,” is used for earnings and deductions when filing your return.
• The second T4 slip, labeled “PA Copy,” specifically contains your Pension Adjustment (PA) amount in Box 52.  This PA amount should be included on line 206 of your 2008 return.

Please note:  The Pension Adjustment amount on the second T4 slip is not included in your income or as a deduction on your annual tax return.  It is a reference value only and is used by The Canada Revenue Agency to calculate your RRSP deduction limit for the following tax year (2009).

Be sure to include a copy of both T4 slips in your 2008 Income Tax return.  If you are filing online, ensure your copies are kept with your tax return information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Employee Contact Centre at 1-877-353-2555 or e-mail cbe.clientservicescentre@telus.com.

T4’s

We have been advised that T4’s were completed and mailed last Thursday, February 26th,
so employees should be receiving them via Canada Post this week.

Are You A Convention Winner?”

All door prizes were sent out through the interschool mail on Friday, February 20, 2009

Please join us at our

GENERAL INFORMATION
& ELECTION MEETING

Update for SA Convention We’re sorry, but the following session(s) have been cancelled: Access Level 1 (2003) First Aid/CPR Standard 2 Day session The Clumsy & Uncoordinated Student’s Thursday morning session has been cancelled and will now be on Friday morning at 10:30 am. Managing Challenging Behavior in Young Children Thursday PM session cancelled We’re sorry, but the following sessions are now full: Angel Wisdom Aquafit Art of Garnishing Creating Happiness and Life Balance Through Feng Shui Drum your Stress Away – both sessions now full Energize – Emotional Freedom Technique Energy Medicine First Aid Recertification is full as of January 16, 2009. No late registrations will be accepted! Laughter For Wellness Massage – Facial Acupressure Memory Mechanics Old Fashioned Milk Box Planter Oracle Financial – General Ledger Inquiry Photography Level 1 & Level 2 Publisher – Level 1 (2003) QuickBooks Chart of Accounts Reflexology for the Hand Woodlands Home For the Birds – Rustic Willow – Thursday AM Yoga Posture Clinic The following sessions still have space available: Awareness & Healthy Relationships Dealing with Difficult People Discover My Purpose Listening for Better Communication Manage Your Workplace Emotions Spanish for Travelers in One Day Where to Begin Your Landscape Design On page 5 of the booklet, please note that the luncheon will be served on THURSDAY ONLY at the Forest Lawn Site – there is no preordering required. Sessions Not Included in the Brochure CBE Diversity Department- ESL, Aboriginal Education and Learning Support Services available for Schools Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm, Forest Lawn High School Presenters: Elizabeth Gouthro, Carol Berndt, Taj Merali, Diversity & Learning Support Advisors Find out what services are available to support staff and students through the new Diversity Department at Kingsland Centre. Learn what’s involved for families new to Canada to register their children in school, services available for ESL and Aboriginal learners in CBE. **Registration is not required**     IT'S CONVENTION TIME FEBRUARY 12 & 13, 2009   2009 Articles 2008 Articles 2007 Articles 2006 Articles 2005 Articles 2004 Articles 2003 Articles Minutes

Updated: February 18, 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Calgary Board of Education Staff Association 3, 1915 - 32 Avenue N.E. Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C8 | Telephone: (403) 242-7555 | Archives | Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view PDFs