Overview
One of the most important terms of our collective agreements is the tracking of members’ seniority, which we refer to as precedence. As a rule, if two individuals with equal qualifications apply for the same job, the member with the most precedence at the hiring institution must be awarded the contract.
Instructions for Accessing Precedence Lists
Access to the precedence lists is password protected. The password is periodically sent out to members.
If you have not received the password or have misplaced it, email our webmaster, and include the campus and department where you teach.
Precedence Lists
- Dalhousie University
- Precedence for TAs is tabulated informally by each department and is not recorded by us.
- Mount Saint Vincent University
- Saint Mary’s University
Demystifying Precedence
CUPE 3912 members working as part-time faculty can acquire and accrue precedence (seniority) separately at each of the universities employing them.
“Precedence” is a form of seniority in job assignments, guaranteed in our Collective Agreements. When there are multiple qualified applicants for a position, the employer must hire the one with the highest number of precedence points.
We can challenge hirings inconsistent with the applicants’ precedence, and seek compensation for affected CUPE 3912 members. Please:
- contact your VP about any potential violations by the employer of this requirement; and
- verify yearly whether your precedence points are correctly reported on each university’s precedence list.
Acquiring Precedence
Precedence is initially acquired by successfully completing probationary teaching assignments. The Collective Agreements with each of the three universities set out the details of how you can acquire precedence at that university.
To achieve precedence at a university, you must teach:
- 9 credit hours (3 one-semester courses) over at least 2 academic years at Dalhousie University;
- the equivalent of 2 full-unit courses (4 one-semester courses) with satisfactory evaluation over at least 2 academic years at MSVU;
- the equivalent of two 2 full courses (4 one-semester courses) in 2 consecutive 12-month periods commencing in September at SMU.
Precedence is a per-university matter, held through the university in which it is acquired and accrued, and it is not limited to one department.
Accruing Precedence Points
Once you have acquired precedence, you continue to accrue precedence points for each teaching assignment as long as you maintain your precedence.
- There is a graduated rate of pay that correlates to the amount of precedence points you accrue.
- If you work at more than one university, you can have different precedence points at each one of them.
Maintaining Precedence
Precedence remains in place for 3 years after you have completed your last teaching assignment.
Losing Precedence
If you do not teach any courses for 3 years after your last teaching assignment, your previously accrued precedence points are lost, and cannot be retrieved and applied at a later date.