The CAAT Support Staff Collective Agreement: What You Need to Know
If you work at a college or university in Ontario as support staff, you may be covered by the CAAT Support Staff Collective Agreement. This agreement is between the College Employer Council and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents support staff at Ontario`s colleges of applied arts and technology (CAATs).
The CAAT Support Staff Collective Agreement outlines the terms and conditions of employment for support staff, including wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security. It covers a wide range of job classifications, such as administrative assistants, custodians, and IT support technicians.
One of the most important aspects of the collective agreement is the wage grid. This is a chart that outlines the different pay grades for each job classification, along with the corresponding salary ranges. The wage grid also includes provisions for merit-based pay increases and progression up the pay scale.
The collective agreement also includes provisions for benefits such as health and dental coverage, sick leave, and retirement savings plans. It also outlines the conditions under which employees can be disciplined or terminated, and provides for a grievance process to address disputes between employees and their employers.
One of the benefits of being covered by a collective agreement is that it provides job security. This is because the agreement sets out rules around layoffs and job security, including provisions for bumping and recall rights.
The CAAT Support Staff Collective Agreement is negotiated every few years between the College Employer Council and OPSEU. The most recent agreement was ratified in 2017 and covers the period from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2021.
If you are covered by the CAAT Support Staff Collective Agreement, it is important to familiarize yourself with its provisions. This will help ensure that you are being paid fairly and have access to the benefits and job security that the agreement provides.
In conclusion, the CAAT Support Staff Collective Agreement is a vital document for support staff at Ontario`s colleges of applied arts and technology. It outlines the terms and conditions of employment for these workers, including wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security. If you are covered by the agreement, take the time to read it and understand your rights and responsibilities under its provisions.