AUFA begins collecting banking info for strike pay

If there is a work stoppage, AUFA members will be eligible to receive strike pay. Strike pay is set at $88 per calendar day commencing on the fourth day of the work stoppage. You will also continue to receive your existing health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.

In January, AUFA members ratified (92.2%) three criteria that members must meet to receive strike pay:

  • Members must provide contact and banking information (a practical requirement),

  • Members must withdraw their labour as asked, and

  • Perform 10 hours per week of strike activities.

Due to the lack of progress in bargaining, the strike finance committee has decided to begin collecting members’ banking information to facilitate direct deposit. Later this week, you will receive an email with a secure link to provide this information.

The information we will be asking for includes:

  • Your name,

  • A non-AU email address,

  • Banking information.

The banking information we require is a series of numbers that include your Bank/Institution Number, a Transit Number, and your Account Number. These appear on a cheque as follows:

You can provide this banking information by entering your banking numbers, uploading an image of a voided cheque, or uploading a direct deposit form you can get from your bank (or online banking site).

The strike finance committee recognizes that some AUFA members will be uncomfortable sharing this information. This information only allows AUFA to deposit strike pay. AUFA will have no other access to your account. Banking information will be:

  • Collected using a secure form.

  • Stored on a password-protected spreadsheet.

  • Available only to the AUFA Treasurer (who will personally process payments).

  • Destroyed once a new collective agreement has been ratified.

There is no practical alternative to direct deposit given resource limitations and security concerns. AUFA will not be issuing hard cheques or providing strike pay through e-transfer.

Please watch for an email containing a link to the secure form. We are hopeful that all information can be collected by March 15.

Gail Leicht, Treasurer

Tamara Jacksonwork stoppage, benefits, aufa strike, Solidarity, strike