You may recall that on November 24 of last year, NASA announced that we had filed a policy grievance around the university’s failure to properly compensate eligible employees who were working remotely with meal allowances and breaks.
Under our collective agreement, Operating employees are entitled to a meal or a $7.00 paid meal allowance and a meal break of ½ hour at straight time when they are required to work more than two hours of overtime on their regular workday.
If they are required to work on their regular rest day, or agreed-to lieu day, they are entitled to the same compensation after working more than four hours. Additionally, if employees are called back to work (i.e., not scheduled) on a paid holiday, vacation day, or agreed-to lieu day they are entitled to receive the same compensation after four hours.
While it is unfortunate that such a straightforward matter took so long to conclude, NASA and the university have finally resolved the issue. Those employees who were negatively impacted by the university’s actions received the following email from the Staff Service Centre indicating that the employer will be fixing its error both retroactively and on a go-forward basis:
It has been brought to our attention that there has been some confusion pertaining to the administration of Part A – Operating Agreement, Article 5.09 Meal Breaks of the NASA Collective Agreement. We have been working with representatives from NASA to find a common understanding of the application of this article as it pertains to meal breaks for employees working from home.
Corrections for missed meal breaks and/or meal allowance have been calculated and will be processed in the February 1-15, 2023 pay period to be paid out on the February 24, 2023 pay date. Payments will be processed retroactively from January 2020 until December 31, 2022.
If you believe that you are entitled to this compensation, but did not receive the above email, please contact your NASA Labour Relations Officer (LRO).
