Leave of Absence for Union Business 17.1 The Board acknowledges the right of the Union to appoint or select a Negotiation Committee of not more than seven (7) employees and will recognize and deal with this Committee with respect to contract negotiations. The Union agrees to provide the names of all Committee members to the Board in writing.
17.2 The Union may have the service of a CUPE Staff Representative, counsel or adviser at any meeting with representatives of the Board during negotiations pertaining to renewal or amendment of the Collective Agreement.
17.3 Members of the Union negotiating committee shall be paid at their regular straight time rate of pay for their regularly scheduled work time spent with officials of the Board for purposes of amending or renewing the Agreement up to and including, but not beyond the stage of conciliation, provided, however, that such committee members shall not be compensated for time spent prior to or beyond their regular working hours.
17.4 Upon request, members of the Union's Negotiating Committee shall be permitted leave of absence to prepare for the commencement of formal contract negotiations with the Board. The total number of days of leave under this Article shall not exceed 28 days during the lifetime of the Agreement and no member shall be absent for more than 4 days for this purpose. The Union shall give the Board a minimum of 5 days advance notice of any such request. An employee on such leave shall continue to receive pay and benefits provided in this Agreement. The Union shall reimburse the Board for all pay and benefits for the period of absence.
17.5 Leave of absence without pay and without loss of sick leave credits or seniority shall be granted upon request to the Board to employees elected or appointed to represent the Union at recognized Union conventions or
17.6 An employee selected for up to and including a full-time position with the local shall be granted leave of absence without loss of seniority or benefits for a period of up to two years. Such leave shall be renewed each year, on request, during the term of office. An employee on such leave shall receive the pay and benefits provided in this Agreement. The Union shall reimburse the Board for all pay and benefits for the period of absence. Upon completion of the President’s leave, the employee will be returned to his/her position if it still exists, or to a comparable position, if it does not.
17.7 Any employee who is elected or selected for a full-time position with the Union, or any body with which the Union is affiliated, upon application will be granted leave of absence without salary, benefits, and loss of seniority, by the Board for a period of up to one year. Such leave shall be extended annually, upon request, up to a maximum of five years.
