Strike Compensation and Benefits FAQ
Strike Compensation and Benefits FAQ
In the event of a strike action or lockout, we must stick together and help one another. Our Union will do all it can! For the purposes of individual member planning, below is an FAQ on Strike Pay and Benefits.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria to receive strike pay?
To collect strike pay, members must not be receiving compensation from the employer (on sick leave, etc.), must participate in picket line activities, must not have resigned their position with the employer and must not cross the picket line without OSSTF/FEESO approval. A schedule of required duties will be available for each member before the strike starts. The Employer will not allow members to begin sick leave after the strike starts.
It will be possible for members to modify their schedule of picket duties in order to be away from their communities (presumably to obtain alternate employment). However, in order to receive strike pay the member must complete the minimum number of picket hours per week. This should only be done with the approval of the strike captain. However, it is the responsibility of the member to keep informed on the progress of negotiations and to report for work following a settlement.
Q: How much will I receive in strike pay?
The initial per diem support will be $55 from day one of the withdraw from work to day ten.
Effective day eleven the per diem support will rise to $65 with additional support of $5 per day per dependent. Income tax guidelines will be used to determine who qualifies as a dependent.
Our local bargaining unit will provide an extra per diem of $75 dollars per day from day one.
| Day 1 to day 10 | Effective Day 11 | |
| OSSTF | $55 | $65 + $5 per dependent |
| Local | $75 | $75 |
| Total | $130 per day | $140 + $5 per dependent |
Biweekly example:
Strike pay is calculated daily and paid out every second Friday (biweekly). This example is being provided to members to compare against their biweekly NET pay for member budgeting purposes only. As long as the member is eligible to receive strike pay daily and completes two weeks of strike service, the estimated tax-free strike pay based on a bi-weekly basis is:
| First 2 Weeks | Subsequent biweekly estimate. | |
| OSSTF | $550 | $650 + $50 per dependent |
| Local | $750 | $750 |
| Total | $1,300 | $1,400 + $50 per dependent |
Q: Is strike pay taxable?
According to Revenue Canada, strike pay is not taxable income, so there is no T4 slip for strike pay, and you do not have to report the money received for strike pay as income on your tax return.
Q: How many hours of strike duty must I complete each week?
Strike duty is 20 hours per week or 4 hours a day. There is flexibility upon request, however, a member must complete the required weekly minimum amount to receive strike pay.
Q: Are there strike loans available to top up my income?
Members participating in the strike who are in need of financial support are eligible for $2,000 strike loans for each 4-week period of the strike. These loans are interest-free during the strike and for the one-month period following return to work. Members have the option of fully repaying the loan, interest-free at the end of the one-month period following return to work, or paying $200 per month for each $2,000 loan, with interest at prime plus 1%. The interest rate will be established at the end of the strike.
Q: I have an extraordinary financial issue. Is there extra funding that I can apply for?
The Benevolent Committee may grant money to members in great difficulty from donations which it receives from other Bargaining Units. You may be able to get another job during the strike. In some instances, the Provincial Executive will ask the mortgage holder to suspend or lower the required payments during the strike. In any event, it is a long and complicated legal process for a bank or finance company to foreclose on a mortgage and they are not likely to risk the poor publicity involved were they to do so during a labour dispute
Q: Can I apply and collect EI while on strike?
No. EI benefits are not available for workers involved in a labour dispute.
Q: If I am on statutory Pregnancy, Adoption or Parental Leave during the strike, how are strike pay or EI benefits affected?
The answer depends on the timing of the Pregnancy, Adoption or Parental Leave. If your leave starts after the strike begins, you may be able to collect Employment Insurance benefits if you can demonstrate that the leave was planned well in advance of the strike. If you are unable to demonstrate that the leave was planned in advance of the strike, you may be disentitled to Employment Insurance benefits. If you are on the leave prior to the beginning of the strike, you will continue to draw Employment Insurance benefits during the strike as well as SEB (Supplemental Employment Benefit) top-up from the Employer. Should your entitlement to EI benefits end before the strike ends, strike pay will then start according to regular procedures.
Any member who is currently on Pregnancy, Adoption or Parental Leave, or planning a leave should contact the Bargaining Unit President as soon as possible for advice on your individual circumstances.
Q: If I am sick at the start of the strike, what happens to my sick leave pay?
If the Bargaining Unit goes on strike after your sick leave starts, you continue to draw your regular salary according to the sick leave language in your collective agreement. The Employer may require a medical certificate. If you recover from your illness during the strike, you inform the Employer that you are on strike with your colleagues and you then receive strike pay.
Q: What happens to members who become sick during the strike, with respect to strike duties and/or sick pay?
The Employer will not permit members who are on strike to begin collecting pay for sick leave. For a single day of illness, contact your Strike Captain to arrange replacement duties upon your return. For illness of three or more consecutive days in duration, medical documentation must be provided to the Local Rules Committee in order to receive strike pay.
Q: Will we receive full strike pay for holidays?
Strike pay is based on lost salary during a strike. The terms of the local collective agreement will determine eligibility for strike pay on statutory holidays or other holiday periods.
Q: Do we all have to perform duty on the picket line?
Every member must contribute to the success of the strike. Visible support for the strike is important to your colleagues and to the community. Those members who require an accommodation due to disability must request alternative duties through the Strike Coordinator.
Q: Can I get another job during the strike?
Your first responsibility is to perform your assigned strike duty. As long as you are able to fulfill your strike responsibilities, nothing prevents you from getting another job during a strike.
Q: What will happen to a member who crosses the picket line and goes to work during the strike?
The member is potentially subject to the penalties set out in OSSTF Bylaw 6.10. The member who crosses the picket line during a strike or lockout will not receive any strike pay, benefits coverage or pension contributions from OSSTF/FEESO.
Q: I have been approved for tuition waiver, and I am or I have dependents/spouse attending school this term. What will happen to the current tuition waiver benefit?
To be negotiated with the employer. Check back for updates.
Q: Will my UPP contributions continue during the strike?
To be determined. If allowed under the terms of UPP, we will negotiate a repayment plan (Provincial OSSTF to pay) for pension contributions; it is not guaranteed. Check back for updates
Q: Will i be able to continue using my Employer provided Sunlife benefits while I am on strike?
To be determined. If allowed under the terms of the benefit plan, we will negotiate a payment plan with the employer (Provincial OSSTF to pay) to maintain benefits.
