Pre-Paid Leave Plan The Hospital agrees to introduce a pre-paid leave program, funded solely by the nurse, subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) The plan is available to nurses wishing to spread four (4) years' salary over a five (5) year period, in accordance with Part LXVIII of the Income
(b) The nurse must make written application to the Chief Nursing Officer or Supervisor at least six (6) months prior to the intended commencement date of the program (i.e., the salary deferral portion), stating the intended purpose of the leave.
(c) The number of nurses that may be absent at any one time shall be determined by local negotiations. The year for purposes of the program shall be September 1 of one year to August 31 the following year or such other twelve (12) month period as may be agreed upon by the nurse, the local Union and the Hospital.
(d) Written applications will be reviewed by the Chief Nursing Officer, Supervisor or designate. Leaves requested for the purpose of pursuing further formal nursing education will be given priority. Applications for leaves requested for other purposes will be given the next level of priority on the basis of seniority.
(e) During the four (4) years of salary deferral, 20% of the nurse's gross annual earnings will be deducted and held for the nurse and will not be accessible to her or him until the year of the leave or upon withdrawal from the plan.
(f) The manner in which the deferred salary is held shall be at the discretion of the Hospital.
(g) All deferred salary, plus accrued interest, if any, shall be paid to the nurse at the commencement of the leave or in accordance with such other payment schedule as may be agreed upon between the Hospital and the nurse.
(h) All benefits shall be kept whole during the four (4) years of salary deferral. During the year of the leave, seniority will accumulate. Service for the purpose of vacation and salary progression and other benefits will be retained but will not accumulate during the period of leave. Full-time nurses shall become responsible for the full payment of premiums for any health and welfare benefits in which they are participating. Contributions to the Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan will be in accordance with the Plan. Full-time nurses will not be eligible to participate in the disability income plan during the year of leave.
(i) A nurse may withdraw from the plan at any time during the deferral portion provided three (3) months notice is given to the Chief Nursing Officer or Supervisor. Deferred salary, plus accrued interest, if any, will be returned to the nurse, within a reasonable period of time.
(j) If the nurse terminates employment, the deferred salary held by the Hospital plus accrued interest, if any, will be returned to the nurse within a reasonable period of time. In case of the nurse's death, the funds will be paid to the nurse's estate.
(k) The Hospital will endeavour to find a temporary replacement for the nurse as far in advance as practicable. If the Hospital is unable to find a suitable replacement, it may postpone the leave. The Hospital will give the nurse as much notice as is reasonably possible. The nurse will have the option of remaining in the Plan and rearranging the leave at a mutually agreeable time or of withdrawing from the Plan and having the deferred salary, plus accrued interest, if any, paid out to the nurse within a reasonable period of time.
(l) The nurse will be reinstated to her or his former position unless the position has been discontinued, in which case the nurse shall be given a comparable job.
(m) Final approval for entry into the pre-paid leave program will be subject to the nurse entering into a formal agreement with the Hospital in order to authorize the Hospital to make the appropriate deductions from the nurse's pay. Such agreement will include:
i) A statement that the nurse is entering the pre-paid leave program in accordance with Article 11.11 of the Collective Agreement.
ii) The period of salary deferral and the period for which the leave is requested.
iii) The manner in which the deferred salary is to be held. The letter of application from the nurse to the Hospital to enter the pre- paid leave program will be appended to and form part of the written agreement.