MPAC

Download Strike Q&A

REVISED April 21, 2010

Strike Q & A for OPSEU Members at the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
 

1.      What is the new strike/lockout date?

2.      In the event there is a strike, how will I know when it starts?

The Bargaining Team will advise Lead Contacts as to whether there is a resolution, talks are continuing or there is a strike or lockout. A notice will also be posted on the OPSEU website. Lead Contacts have been asked to set up phone trees in order to convey key information to members.

3.      Who will participate in the strike?

 All bargaining unit employees. In the event of a strike or lockout, acting managers will return to the bargaining unit and will be on strike or locked out.

4.      What will happen to contract employees?  

The union has asked the employer what it intends to do with contract employees. When we get an answer, we will let you know.

5.      Will I receive strike pay?

You will if:

• You’ve signed your OPSEU union card and filled out your Member Personal Information Form (Form B;

• You perform strike duties (e.g. picket duty) for 20 hours per week;

• The strike lasts more than one day. (In a strike lasting more than one day, you will receive strike pay after the first week of picket duty from the first day you go out.

6.      What is strike pay?

7.      What is a dependent?

A dependent is:

• A non-income earning spouse (excluding a spouse on strike);

• A child under 18 (or under 26 if attending school full-time), OR a dependent child as defined by the collective agreement or the benefit plan.

• A disabled family members; or

• An elderly family member who normally receives financial support from the striking member.

 If both spouses are on strike, both may claim the dependents.

8.      What happens to my benefits?

OPSEU has asked MPAC to continue benefits coverage in the event of a strike with the union paying the premiums. If the employer does not agree, the union will provide limited insurance benefit coverage through the OPSEU Joint Trusteed Benefit Fund. The insured benefits for OPSEU members who are in receipt of strike pay shall include:

• Basic life insurance as per the collective agreement; and

• Drug coverage as per the collective agreement.

9.      What benefits won’t be covered?

Dental won’t be covered and Long Term Disability (LTD) Benefit premium payments won’t be maintained. (See Q. 14 for what happens if you are in receipt of LTD benefits.) Optional life insurance premium payments will not be paid. Vision and hearing care plans won’t be covered.

10.  What happens if I am on vacation when a strike or lockout starts?

When a strike or lockout starts, you are considered to be on strike (or locked out), not on vacation. No vacation pay will be paid to you when the strike starts.

11.  If my pre-approved vacation falls during a strike or lockout, will I get vacation pay?

No, there is no collective agreement in effect. You are on strike or are locked out.

You can keep your vacation credits and take approved vacation later.

12.  Can I get sick leave when I’m on strike?

No, you have no collective agreement and therefore you have no sick leave.
 

13.  What happens if I’m on sick leave when a strike or lockout starts?

The employer will stop paying you sick leave but you can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits if you were on sick leave prior to the start of a strike or lockout. The employer has to provide you a Record of Employment (ROE) so you can apply to EI. Be sure to keep a copy at home of any medical certificate(s) related to your sick leave that you give to your employer. However, while a simple doctor's note can be sufficient to establish a sick leave with the employer, EI will require a more detailed report to be completed by your doctor and they will make an independent decision about your eligibility for EI sickness benefits. In other words, being on sick leave prior to the strike does not guarantee getting EI benefits.

14.  What happens if I’m in receipt of Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits when a strike or lockout starts?

Your LTD benefits will continue including all of your life insurance.

15.  If I’m getting WSIB benefits, will they continue during a strike or lockout?

Yes, provided you continue to qualify medically and co-operate with WSIB-approved programs.

16.  If I’m on maternity or parental leave, do I receive any benefits?

Yes, you will receive your EI entitlements, but you will not get the top-up from the employer. You will also receive strike pay if you perform strike duties.

17.  What happens to my pension during a strike or lockout?

Neither you nor the employer contributes to the pension plan during a strike or lockout. So your pension doesn’t increase during a strike or lockout. However, your membership in the plan continues and you don’t lose any entitlements you had earned up to the date the strike/lockout began. After the strike or lockout has ended, information will be given to you as to how to buy back the pension for the period you were on strike or lockout.

18.  How can I prepare for a possible strike or lockout?

• Get dental work that you’re entitled to done in advance of the strike/lockout deadline, otherwise you will have to hold off until after the strike or lockout is over;

• Submit any outstanding claims now for extended health (so the charges are not sitting on your credit card);

• If you can, do your prescription renewals now and any other extended health claims, in advance of a strike/lockout deadline;

• If you have not used up your vision or hearing care, you may want to consider obtaining the glasses or hearing aids before the strike or lockout;

• Hold off on any plans for major purchases until we know we have a deal;

• Pay off your credit cards in advance of a strike or lockout if you can;

• Talk to your financial institutions to let them know you’ll be going on strike and try to make alternative arrangements for payments of loans, mortgages etc.

• Save as much money as you can.

19.  I have financial commitments that I must fulfill, e.g. mortgage payments, loans etc. What happens to them?

You will still be responsible for paying your bills, but you can often negotiate a hold on payment in the short term in the event of a strike.

Tips for budgeting during a strike:

• Mortgages/rent: talk to your bank or credit union and negotiate a plan for the duration before the next payment is due.

• Taxes: ask if an accommodation can be arranged to defer property taxes.

• Utilities: request to spread your payments.

• Loans: if your lender won’t allow a deferral, consider re-financing to reduce the payments.

• Credit cards: charging purchases while on strike is not recommended. Pay the minimum charge or use a line of credit with a lower interest rate.

• Insurance: investigate ways to spread out the premiums.

20.  How can I help my local get ready for a strike?

There are many duties involved in running a successful strike. Consider volunteering for strike finance, communications or duties. Making signs, scrounging items and many other tasks are key to a well-organized strike.
 

Download Strike Q&A