Ghana – La National Association of Graduate Teachers

Agreement

Between the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the National Association of  Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to Provide Services for Individual Affiliated Members of the CAUT  Working Temporarily in Ghana and Members of the NAGRAT Working Temporarily in Canada.

1.  With the objective of fostering collaboration and solidarity, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) agree to enter into a reciprocal membership agreement. This agreement provides for services for (a) members of the CAUT working temporarily in institutions in Ghana, except at institutions where there is a NAGRAT collective bargaining chapter that includes visiting academic staff in the bargaining unit; and (b) for members of the NAGRAT working temporarily in institutions of education in Canada at which there is a CAUT member association and, if a union, where visiting faculty are not included in the bargaining unit.

2.  Associated members receiving services in the host country must remain members in good standing of their home organization and continue to pay appropriate fees. Associated members shall register with the host organization which will inform the home organization of their registration.

3.  Members of the NAGRAT working in Canada at an institution at which there is an active CAUT member association and who are not members of a CAUT bargaining unit, shall be eligible for complimentary membership in the CAUT as "Individual Associate Members." The period of complimentary associated membership for any individual shall not exceed two (2) years.

A.  When members of the NAGRAT are arranging temporary employment in Canada, the NAGRAT will direct them to the CAUT, which will provide information, advice and informal representation, if required, to determine the terms of the contract of employment of the associated members and any other employment issues arising from the appointment. Such assistance may be provided either by the appropriate full-time official at the national level and/or by a CAUT member association at the institution.

B.  Individual associate members shall have access to any services available to other members of the CAUT through the CAUT’s Affinity Programs, subject to any limitations required by the providers of such service. 

C.  CAUT member associations may, at their absolute discretion, invite individual associate members to attend general meetings and to take part in discussions.

D.  Individual associate members may take part in national activities of the CAUT by invitation from an appropriate official.

E.  Individual associate members will not take part in elections for national officers of the CAUT and shall not be entitled to vote on matters coming before the CAUT Council.

F.  Individual associate members will be entitled to receive the CAUT Bulletin while working in Canada.

G.  Individual associate members shall not have an automatic entitlement to professional legal advice and representation. Where a significant legal principle is identified by the CAUT, discussions will take place between the two Associations and an agreement reached on liability for costs arising from any legal advice or representation. Neither Association is obliged, by virtue of this agreement, to provide representational services and/or financial assistance for such services. This clause does not override the residual discretion of the CAUT to decide whether or not to provide legal advice or representation.

H.  Individual associate members may appeal to CAUT if they consider that their professional rights have been infringed by their Canadian employer. The CAUT will decide whether or not to provide advice or service or representation to the associated member.

4.  Individual affiliated members of the CAUT working in Ghana who do not become regular members of the NAGRAT, shall be eligible for a complimentary membership in the NAGRAT as "Associate members." The period of complimentary associated membership for any individual shall not exceed two 2 years.

A.  Associate members shall have access to any services available to other members of the NAGRAT through the NAGRAT’s Affinity Programs, subject to any limitations required by the providers of such services.

B.  NAGRAT chapters may, at their absolute discretion, invite Associate members to attend general meetings and to take part in discussions.

C.  Associate members may take part in national activities of the NAGRAT by invitation from an appropriate official.

D.  Associate members will not take part in elections for local, state or national officers of the NAGRAT and will not have a vote on local, state or national policy matters.

E.  Associate members of collective bargaining chapters may not vote on matters pertaining to collective bargaining.

F.  Associate members will be entitled to receive the NAGRAT publication "Excellence" while working in Ghana.

G.  When members of the CAUT are arranging temporary employment in Ghana, the CAUT will direct them to the NAGRAT, which will provide information, advice and informal representation, if required, to determine the terms of the contract of employment of the associated Members and any other employment issues arising from the appointment. Such assistance may be provided by the appropriate full-time official at the national level, by an NAGRAT Delegates conference and/or by a NAGRAT chapter at the institution.

H.  Associate members shall not have an automatic entitlement to professional legal advice and representation. Where a significant legal principle is identified by the NAGRAT, discussions will take place between the two Associations and an agreement reached on liability for costs arising from any legal advice or representation. Neither Association is obliged, by virtue of this agreement, to provide representational services and/or financial assistance for such services. This clause does not override the residual discretion of the NAGRAT to decide whether or not to provide legal advice or representation.

5.  The NAGRAT and the CAUT both agree to promote this agreement within their countries as the Transnational Higher Education Individual Associate Membership Plan.

6.  Services provided by both the NAGRAT and the CAUT to associated members shall be borne in consideration for similar services from the other association under this reciprocal agreement.

7.  This agreement may be terminated by either party by giving the other six (6) months’ written notice. At the end of the period of such notice, no associated member is entitled to any benefits under the terms of this agreement.