http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ BikingToronto Forum Topic: Bicycling Travel Allowance in Union Contract en Sat, 18 May 2013 18:51:34 +0000 http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=484#post-1742 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:48:27 +0000 joe 1742@http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ <p>A <a href="http://cupe.ca/environment/bicycling-bargaining-language">CUPE local in Ottawa has negotiated</a> a bicycling travel allowance:</p> <p><ul><li><em><br /> Members of CUPE 3942 who work as mental health and social services workers at the Ottawa Salus Corporation have bargained what is a first for a CUPE Local: a bicycling travel allowance. A section of the Local’s Collective Agreement that deals with expenses now allows for members to file claims for travelling by bicycle. Specifically, the language states:</p> <p>An employee who has travelled by bicycle for work purposes in excess of 100 kilometres between April 1st and October 31st may claim an allowance of $0.20/km to a maximum of fifty dollars ($50.00) towards the upkeep of such bicycle and related safety equipment. Such claim itemizing bicycle journeys will be made by November 30th of each year.</p> <p>While this rate of reimbursement falls short of what is granted for private motor vehicle use, it is still a bold step in legitimizing bicycles for work transportation purposes. Ottawa is one of Canada’s more bike-friendly communities. Members of Local 3942 will certainly benefit from this extension of allowances to a green form of transportation.</p> <p></em></li></ul></p> <p><a href="http://cupe.ca/environment/green-bargaining-guide">CUPE's website has some good pointers</a> on making "green" transportation a priority for workplaces:</p> <p><ul><li><em><br /> Transportation to, from and during work has a huge environmental impact. For example, single-occupancy driving day-in and day-out for work is not a green practice. Likewise, work-related air travel negatively impacts the climate.</p> <p>There are greener transportation choices available, such as using public transit, bicycling, walking, carpooling, car-sharing, low-emission vehicles and other options. Green collective agreement provisions to support more environmental transportation would cover financial incentives and disincentives and support programs, such as:</p> <p> * Employer-provided/supported public transit passes.<br /> * Employer-provided/supported shoe allowances for workers who walk to work.<br /> * Employer-provided/supported bicycle lock-up, showering facilities and flexible work schedules for bicycle commuters.<br /> * Grants or loans to employees for bicycle purchases.<br /> * Reimbursement for work-related bicycling kilometrage.<br /> * Car-sharing schemes.<br /> * Financial disincentives, such as employees paying for parking spaces for single-occupancy drivers.<br /> * Employer-purchased legitimate carbon offsets for workers who must travel by air.</p> <p>UNISON – a British trade union – has been very active in helping to develop <a href="http://www.unison.org.uk/green/pages_view.asp?did=588">Green Staff Travel Plans</a> for its members that build on many of these points.</p> <p></em></li></ul> </p>