Q: Will striking academic staff members have access to their university email accounts during the strike?
Yes. Striking employees will have access to their university email accounts under the same terms and conditions as before the strike.
Q: Do academic staff members have insurance coverage during a strike? What benefits will continue in the event of a strike?
Yes. Striking academic staff members will have insurance coverage and the university will continue group insurance participation during a strike on the following basis.
The benefits plans continued in the event of a strike are:
- Basic Life Insurance
- Optional Employee Life Insurance
- Dependent Life Insurance
- Optional Spousal and Dependent Child Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Basic, Optional and Voluntary AD&D Insurance
- Supplementary Heath and Dental Insurance
- Travel Health Insurance
- Employee Assistance Plan
Q: Will MUNFA members continue to be paid salaries, premiums and allowances by the university during the strike?
The payment of salaries, including allowances and premiums, will be discontinued for all striking employees who are members of MUNFA effective the day the strike begins, with the exception of academic staff members on long term disability, maternity/parental leave, or supplemented maternity/parental leave. ASMs on those leaves will remain on such leave until its conclusion.
Q: I am on maternity/parental leave (Or supplemented maternity parental leave). Do I remain on this leave during the strike.
Yes. Academic staff members on maternity/parental leave or supplemented maternity/parental leave will remain on such leave until its conclusion.
Q: I am on long term disability. Will this continue during the strike?
Yes. Academic staff members on long term disability will remain on such leave until its conclusion.
Q: I am on sabbatical leave. Do I remain on sabbatical during the strike?
During job action, an academic staff member is considered on strike and no longer on sabbatical.
Q: I am on administrative leave. Do I remain on administrative leave in the event of a strike?
During job action, in most cases the academic staff member is considered on strike and no longer on administrative leave.
Q: I believe my personal circumstances warrant keeping my current leave status as it is during a strike. What do I do?
Academic staff members who feel there are exceptional circumstances surrounding their leave status can submit a request to facrel@mun.ca outlining the details of their circumstances and rationale why their leave status should not be changed to reflect being on strike.
Q: Do MUNFA members have access to their offices during the strike?
Academic staff members will not have access to the facilities they normally use as part of their MUNFA duties. This includes offices, facilities like classrooms, and/or research facilities, except in cases where access to a research project is required, in accordance with Appendix I of the previous collective agreement which states:
During strikes or lockouts involving the university, the university will allow controlled access by academic staff members to those of their research projects which would be irreparably harmed should such access be denied. The university will consult with the association regarding criteria and conditions for designating individuals to be permitted access and will notify the association of the approved persons and conditions.
The process for applying for access to continue research that would be irreparably harmed if paused during job action is under development. More information to come.
Q: Can MUNFA members process expenditures during a labour disruption?
MUNFA members, with the exception of those who have been approved to continue research during a job action, cannot initiate purchases during a labour disruption, and a hold will be put on any procurement cards (p-cards) held by MUNFA members.
Q: I am a MUNFA member. Can I utilize my research grants to travel?
No, MUNFA members may not utilize their research grants for travel during the duration of a labour disruption unless an application for a research exemption due to irreparable harm has been approved. Memorial has established a process by which MUNFA members can submit a request to continue research that would be irreparably harmed if paused during the duration of job action. To submit a request, MUNFA members must complete an online form, which is available here.
Q: I was pre-approved for travel before the strike began. Can I still travel?
Unless an application for a research exemption due to irreparable harm has been approved, MUNFA members cannot travel during the labour disruption even if they were pre-approved before the strike. Any expenses incurred for travel initiated during the labour disruption will not be reimbursed.
RESEARCH FAQs
Q: I am a MUNFA member. Can my personal involvement in research continue?
During job action, MUNFA members will withdraw their labour, including research. Memorial has established a process by which MUNFA members can submit a request to continue research that would be irreparably harmed if paused during the duration of job action. To submit a request, MUNFA members must complete an online form, which is available here.
Q: I am a MUNFA member. Do I have access to the university campus for my research activities?
MUNFA members must submit a research request for approval to have access to the university campus for their research activities. Memorial has established a process by which MUNFA members can submit a request to continue research that would be irreparably harmed if paused during the duration of job action. To submit a request, MUNFA members must complete an online form, which is available here.
Q: Will I continue to have access to the online Researcher Portal?
Yes, the online Researcher Portal will remain accessible.
Q: Will I be able to apply for the necessary clearances and certifications for my research projects?
You will be able to apply for clearances and certifications through the normal Researcher Portal process. Due to the nature of the composition of some committees, which include MUNFA members, the review of some clearances and certifications may be delayed during the labour disruption.
Q: Will I continue to have access to the online Researcher Portal?
Yes, the online Researcher Portal will remain accessible.
Q: I am a MUNFA member. Do I have access to the university campus for my research activities?
MUNFA members must submit a research request for approval to have access to the university campus for their research activities. Memorial has established a process by which MUNFA members can submit a request to continue research that would be irreparably harmed if paused during the duration of job action. To submit a request, MUNFA members must complete an online form, which is available here.
Q: Will I be able to apply for the necessary clearances and certifications for my research projects?
You will be able to apply for clearances and certifications through the normal Researcher Portal process. Due to the nature of the composition of some committees, which include MUNFA members, the review of some clearances and certifications may be delayed during a labour disruption.
Q: I am a MUNFA member. Will I be able to continue to support other members of my research team(s) through my research grants?
Yes, your research funding will remain available to support other members of your research team(s).
In general, graduate student research and postdoctoral fellow research will continue if it can do so without direct supervision by MUNFA members. Some graduate research may pause in the event of job action if the research is supervised by a MUNFA member and there are health and safety risks associated with the MUNFA member pausing their supervision during job action. Memorial has established a process by which graduate students and postdoctoral fellows can submit a request to continue research. To submit a request, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows must complete an online form, which is available here.
Q: I am a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. May I access my research lab and/or on-campus research facility?
In general, yes, however you must submit a request for approval first. Memorial has established a process by which graduate students and postdoctoral fellows can submit a request to continue research. To submit a request, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows must complete an online form, which is available here.
Q: Can MUNFA members process expenditures during a labour disruption?
MUNFA members, with the exception of those who have been approved to continue research during a job action, cannot initiate purchases during a labour disruption, and a hold will be put on any procurement cards (p-cards) held by MUNFA members.
Q: May I disseminate the outcomes of my research?
Yes, but MUNFA members may not utilize research grants for travel or costs associated with dissemination during the duration of a labour disruption unless a research request has been approved. Memorial has established a process by which MUNFA members can submit a request to continue research that would be irreparably harmed if paused during the duration of job action. To submit a request, MUNFA members must complete an online form, which is available here.
Q: I have commitments and contracts in place with an external consultant. I am paying for this work via my research grant. Can this work continue? Can payments continue?
Yes, to both processes.
Q:Will the application deadline for research grants (internal/external) be extended?
Memorial will extend deadlines for internal grant applications occurring during the duration of a labour disruption to a publicized date beyond the end of any labour disruption.
Memorial will work with faculty seeking extensions to deadlines for external grant applications from granting agencies should the deadline fall within the period of a labour disruption.
Q: Will the application deadline for research recognition awards (internal/external) be extended?
Memorial will extend deadlines for internal research recognition awards occurring during the duration of a labour disruption to a publicized date beyond the end of any labour disruption.
Memorial will work with faculty seeking extensions to deadlines for research recognition awards should the deadline fall within the period of a labour disruption.
Q: Will the application deadline for research recognition awards (internal/external) be extended?
Memorial will extend deadlines for internal research recognition awards occurring during the duration of the labour disruption to a publicized date beyond the end of the labour disruption.
Memorial will work with faculty seeking extensions to deadlines for research recognition awards should the deadline fall within the period of the labour disruption.
Q: Can I use my PDTER funds while on strike
PDTER (Professional Development & Travel Expense Reimbursement) purchases made in advance of any job action will be reimbursed. MUNFA members will not be reimbursed for any expenditures they make during job action.
Q: Can I transition to a remote work arrangement during a strike?
Current employee work arrangements will be maintained, with the exception of per course instructors (PCIs) who can request to pivot their course(s) to remote delivery for the duration of the strike.