Starting with a new school division

WORTH KNOWING
 
Starting with a New School Division
 
A teacher’s annual salary (found in the collective agreement ) is based on years of education (as determined by the Teacher Qualifications Service) and years of experience (as determined by the teacher’s collective agreement).
 
Teachers hired to a teaching position with a new school division are responsible for submitting proof of their experience and education in accordance with the timelines stipulated in clauses 3.3 and 3.4 of the Central Table Terms of their collective agreement.
 
Teachers must also review their pay statements every month, particularly if they have delayed submitting their documentation to their employer. If a teacher reviews their pay statement and it appears that they have not been paid correctly, it is their responsibility to contact their employer to resolve the discrepancy. If the teacher is not able to correct the error with the employer forthwith, the teacher must contact Teacher Employment Services (TES) so that the Association can provide support in a resolution. Delays in reporting an error in pay could result in a loss of income, so it is critical that teachers closely scrutinize their pay statements.
 
For newly employed teachers to the school division, until such time as the school division receives satisfactory proof of teacher education or proof of application made to Teacher Qualifications Service and proof of experience is submitted, the teacher will be placed at four years of education and zero years of experience on the salary grid.
 
The adjustment dates for increased teacher education and experience shall be September 1 and February 1.
 
Proof of Education
Clause 3.3 above of the collective agreement requires that the evaluation of teacher education for salary grid purposes shall be determined by a statement of qualifications issued by the Alberta Teacher Qualifications Service. If proof of teacher education or application is received within 60 operational days, payment shall be made retroactive to the above-mentioned adjustment dates; however, if this documentation is not submitted within 60 operational days, salary will be adjusted the month following such submission.
 
Proof of Experience
Clause 3.4 requires employers to recognize experience gained while holding a valid Alberta teaching certificate or its equivalent in the relevant governing jurisdiction and working in a position that requires a teaching certificate as a condition of employment. While a teacher on contract earns one year of experience after 140 operational days with the school division, substitute teachers can earn one year of experience after working 140 operational days in the preceding five years with the school division.
 
It is important to remember that no experience is gained during vacation periods and leaves of absence without salary, and a teacher shall be granted only one experience increment during any one school year. However, uncredited experience shall be carried over for the calculation of experience increments.
 
Teachers continuing with their employer are not reassessed for grid placement, unless they have completed further education and applied for a revaluation through Teacher Qualifications Service, unless those teachers are included under the new special consideration for vocational, trade, and other education and experience provided in the Mediator’s Recommended Terms of Settlement.
 
 
Special consideration for vocational (formerly CTS), trade, and other education and experience
 
         —CHANGE Effective 2022 09 01

• Last round, language was introduced to divisions where it did not already exist, but there was no requirement to implement the evaluation.
• Now the “may” has been changed to “shall” and will require those evaluations to be added to the grid.

 

Special consideration for vocational (formerly CTS), trade, and other education and experience
         —CHANGE Effective 2022 09 01

• Last round, language was introduced to divisions where it did not already exist, but there was no requirement to implement the evaluation.
• Now the “may” has been changed to “shall” and will require those evaluations to be added to the grid.

 
This would apply to teachers in 21 bargaining units.
 
 
WORTH SHARING
If you have been hired to a new school division, it is your responsibility to submit proof of your experience and education in accordance with the timelines stipulated in your collective agreement. Check your pay statement every month to ensure that you have been placed appropriately on the grid and that your salary is correct. #WEAREATA
 
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