Weekly Indemnity (a) Casual employees are eligible for weekly indemnity benefits upon accumulation of four hundred (400) hours of service seniority. Once established, eligibility for weekly indemnity is retained unless the casual employee loses service seniority. Weekly indemnity benefits are payable for each period of illness up to a maximum of fifteen (15) weeks at sixty percent (60%) of the casual employee's normal average earnings. Normal average earnings are calculated by averaging the straight-time compensation and the compensation paid in accordance with Clause 31.7 in the six (6) most recent biweekly pay periods in which earnings occurred.
(b) The payment of benefits to a person who is laid off or separated prior to termination of his/her illness shall be continued after the layoff or separation until the total number of weeks for which benefits have been paid in respect of that illness is fifteen (15) weeks, except that benefits will cease on the effective date of a scheduled layoff or separation, if the illness occurs two (2) months (or less) before that layoff or separation provided that notice of the layoff or separation was given prior to the occurrence of the illness.
(c) The benefits described in this clause shall not be available to an employee whose illness, injury or personal circumstances may be described by any one (1) of the following conditions:
(1) who is not under the care of a licensed physician;
(2) whose illness is occupational and is covered by Workers' Compensation;
(3) whose illness is intentionally self-inflicted;
(4) whose illness results from service in the Armed Forces;
(5) whose illness results from riots, wars or participation in disorderly conduct;
(6) who is ill during a period of paid vacation;
(7) whose illness is sustained while he/she is committing a criminal offence;
(8) who is engaged in an employment for a wage or profit;
(9) who is ill during a strike or lockout at the place where he/she was employed if that illness commences during the strike or lockout;
(10) who is serving a prison sentence.
(d) The Parties agree that the complete premium reduction from the Employment Insurance Commission accruing through the improved sick leave plan and the weekly indemnity plan will be returned to the Employer. This is an exchange for the implementation of the above-mentioned plans.