NASA’s Commitment to Casual and Temporary Members
NASA believes in strengthening the collective agreement for all members, including those who are precariously employed. While there will always be a need for some contingent roles, the vast majority of academic work at NAIT should be permanent, fairly compensated, and supported with benefits and vacation. This round of bargaining places a strong focus on improving fairness, security, and working conditions for casual and temporary members.
Some of the things that your bargaining team is focusing on for temporary and casual members is:
- Equity of pay across classifications (instructor, librarian, etc.)
- Stronger language to convert from temporary to continuing employment
- Health benefits for both temporary and casual employees
- Payment for all hours worked by casual instructors, including preparation, assessment, and other work outside the classroom
- 12% pay increase over 4 years, including retroactive pay for hours worked after July 1, 2024
- A casual “training rate” to end the expectation that casual instructors take training without any pay
These priorities reflect NASA’s commitment to reducing precarity and ensuring that all academic work is properly valued.
What Happens to Casual and Temporary Members in the Event of a Strike?
If a strike occurs, casual and temporary members are considered part of the bargaining unit and will be supported by NASA in the same way as continuing employees.
This includes:
- Casual and temporary members with current contracts or assignments qualifying for strike pay at the same daily rate as continuing members ($100 per day for a 4-hour shift)
- NASA negotiating return-to-work protections for all members, including:
- No retaliation by the employer
- A return to all contracts and assignments once job action ends
NASA recognizes that casual and temporary employees often face greater uncertainty, and protecting precariously employed members is a key priority in both bargaining and any potential job action.
Why This Matters
A stronger collective agreement benefits everyone. Improving fairness, stability, and protections for casual and temporary members helps strengthen NAIT as a whole and supports the quality of education students receive.