ARTICLE 18 - Political Leave
18:01 Upon receipt of a written request, the Dean may grant political leave of absence for campaign purposes in accordance with this Article 18 to any member who intends to become a candidate for elected public office in Canada or elected positions within First Nations, for elected positions within Métis Nations, or within Inuit Nunangat. The parties recognize, however, the responsibility of the University for ensuring the uninterrupted continuation and quality of program(s) of the University in which members are involved and, in the light of this responsibility, leave under this Article 18 shall not be withheld unreasonably.
18:02 A member applying for leave under this Article 18 shall give reasonable notice of their intention to stand for election to public office to permit the engagement, as required, of competent substitute(s).
18:03 A leave of absence under clause 18:01 shall not exceed the period of issuance of Writ of Election to election day, or a period of thirty (30) days in case of a municipal election. Within First Nations, Métis Nations, or Inuit Nunangat the timing around election cycles may vary, so the member shall provide such information to their Dean in order to confirm the leave of absence for the member’s campaign(s).
18:04 A member on leave under clause 18:01 retains their status in the University and such leave shall be with full salary and all other rights, privileges and benefits subject to the obligation of the member to cooperate with the member’s substitute(s), if any, as may be necessary and to reimburse the University for the cost of any substitute(s), if any, under clause 18:01, but the reimbursement shall not exceed the salary of the member during the period of leave.
18:05 If a member is elected to public office in Canada, the member shall be entitled to a political leave of absence on the following basis:
(a) Parliament - up to a maximum of five (5) years without salary and fringe benefits;
(b) Legislature - up to a maximum of five (5) years without salary and fringe benefits;
(c) Elected positions within First Nations, Métis Nations, or Inuit Nunangat communities – up to a maximum of five (5) years without salary and fringe benefits or, where appropriate to elected office, to request the position be treated as an “Other Elected Office” as outlined below;
(d) Other Elected Office - absence for fulfilment of recognized duties of office, but where such absence for the purpose of fulfilment of the recognized duties of office is of such a nature as to interfere with the duties and responsibilities of the member to the University, the Dean may make a pro rata adjustment of the member’s salary.
A member on leave under clause 18:05 (a), (b), or (c) shall be entitled at the member’s sole expense to participate in any or all of the University's fringe benefit Plans for members from time to time in force if and so long as such plans permit.
18:06 In the case of political leave of absence under clause 18:05 (a),(b), or (c), the member shall be entitled to terminate the member’s leave and return to the University at the beginning of any academic year or at the beginning of any semester in AAUs of semesterized courses, if notice of the member’s return is given to the Dean one hundred and fifty (150) days prior to the intended date of return.
18:07 If a member continues to serve in elected public office under clause 18:05 (a), (b), or (c), after the period of five (5) years, the member’s employment shall terminate forthwith.
18:08 If a member continues to serve in elected public office under clause 18:05 (d) after a period of six (6) years, the member’s employment shall terminate forthwith if the elected public office which the member has held during the said six (6) year period has been that of the Mayor and/or Councillor of the Corporation of the City of Windsor, or any other elected office in the said City or any other municipal entity or elected positions of a First Nations, Métis Nations, or Inuit Nunangat community where the responsible fulfilment of the duties of that office would require a commitment of time approximately equal to or greater than the average time spent by the Councillor of the said City or elected position of a First Nations, Métis Nations, or Inuit Nunangat community. The President may, however, on the request of the member, give written permission for a further period of leave under clause 18:05 (d) subject to the conditions of clause 18:05 (d).
18:09 The provision of this Article 18 shall not preclude the making of alternate arrangements acceptable to the member and Dean. The Dean shall give particulars of such arrangements to the Association.
