ANNUAL SERVICE AWARD. 9.1 An annual service award of three hundred ($300) dollars shall be paid to continuous employees on staff as of December 1st of each year and who have been employed by the Board for a period of not less than fifteen (15) continuous years. This shall also apply to employees on paid sick leave, Workers' Compensation and up to the first two (2) years of long term disability, or up to the first two (2) years of general health leave. The service award shall be paid on or before December 15th by way of separate cheque/deposit.