Resources for members
As a fully-registered member, you will have a voice in the Union, you can vote and stand for election to the Executive Committee, to the Stewards Network and committees, and you will be able to enjoy the benefits of belonging to the Union and the PSAC-AFPC. Benefits include access to our free group life insurance policy , rental car and hotel discount rates, access to PSAC member and dependent scholarships, free Union training courses, and more. Use the link below to register with PSAC National
Resources for members
As a fully-registered member, you will have a voice in the Union, you can vote and stand for election to the Executive Committee, to the Stewards Network and committees, and you will be able to enjoy the benefits of belonging to the Union and the PSAC-AFPC. Benefits include access to our free group life insurance policy , rental car and hotel discount rates, access to PSAC member and dependent scholarships, free Union training courses, and more. Use the link below to register with PSAC National
Collective Agreements
These Collective Agreements reflect the nature of our work, stipulating terms and conditions that must be respected by our employer, the University of New Brunswick. Arbitrary decisions and actions by an employer will not be permitted with respect to the contents of the contract.
Hours, pay, and contracts
The Collective Agreement restricts full time students to 520 hours per year (average of 10 hours per week) for TA/RA positions. Employees must not be made to work over 15 hours in one week without their consent; we strongly encourage members to track their hours.
Minimum wages are noted in the Collective Agreement. These are minimums; we encourage employment supervisors to offer competitive rates and/or according to student’s qualifications. If a delay in pay has caused hardship, contact your Director of Graduate Studies to request an expedited cheque.
It is important to discuss the following with your employment supervisor: tasks and timelines, intellectual property rights – you may request Union presence or advice. After discussion with your employment supervisor(s), be sure to complete your B1 or B2 contracts as soon as you receive them in order to avoid delay in pay. Employment Supervisors and Employees should have follow-up meetings to discuss progress and any adjustments to the contract needed.
Graduate Student Teaching Assistant (GSTA) employment contract, including description of duties and allocation of hours
Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) employment contract, including description of duties and allocation of hours
Collaborative Amendement Record for the Graduate Student Teaching Assistant (GSTA) Employment Contract
Collaborative Amendement Record for the Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) Employment Contract
Guidelines on how to fill out the B1 and B2 appendix forms.
Funding Sources
It can be very difficult to understand where you pay is coming from. Descriptions of the major sources of funding are given below.
GSTA
- Employment funding, covered under collective agreement
- Both full-time & part-time students are eligible
- GSTA positions are allocated directly by the GAU from their own budget.
- Employment is in support of the teaching activities of the program
GSRA
- Employment funding, covered under collective agreement
- Both full-time & part-time students are eligible
- Funds come from research grants or contracts awarded to faculty members
- GSRA positions employ students to assist in research activities
GRA
- Scholarship, no employment activities (not covered under collective agreement)
- Only full-time students are eligible
- GRA awards are made directly by the GAU from their own budget
- Awards support students in their program of study with no work expectations
GAA
- Scholarship, no employment activities (not covered under collective agreement)
- Normally limited to full-time students
- Funds derive from a variety of sources, including external agencies (e.g., NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) as well as research grants and contracts to faculty members
- Awards support students in their program of study with no work expectations
