2026 Local Union Reimbursement Guidelines
for Area Schools
*Effective January 1st, 2026
The goal of Area Schools is to meet members in their home community, where they live and work (either in-person or online). Travel outside of a members’ home community is not covered by the National Area School Program, unless for special circumstances. In this case, a Local President can reach out to the department, in advance of registration for pre-approval. Please see details below.
REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS: ACCOUNTING
Locals pay for their members up front and are reimbursed afterwards by the National.
Please send us an invoice with the following information:
- Local Invoice Number (a unique number specific to the invoice);
- Who to make the cheque out to and address to send it to;
- The course name;
- The course dates;
- The course location;
- The type of expense (i.e. wages, reimbursement for lunch, mileage, etc.) and how much for each member. Include totals for each item;
- Total amount to be reimbursed to local;
- All receipts and backup documents.
Please ensure that your reimbursement package includes all of the following documents:
- The Local Invoice (see details above);
- Wage backup receipts for the course dates (proof that the local was billed by the company for the members' wages I.E. report or company invoice);
- Please remember that the invoice must be signed;
Please submit your reimbursement package to @email
WHAT WE COVER:
In-Person and Online One-Day Courses
There is no cost sharing for wages for one-day in-person and online courses.
The National Union will cover the cost of the meeting room, materials and Discussion Leader for in-person and online courses.
Lunch is reimbursed at a rate of $20 per member per day for all IN-PERSON COURSES ONLY.
In-Person Two-Day and Three-Day Courses
The National Union will cover the cost of the meeting room, materials and Discussion Leader.
Wages:
The National Union will cover 50% of the participants lost time for only the days in which the course runs (this equals 2 or 3 full shifts).
Example: 3 days x 8 hours = 24 hours. The National Union cost share 50%, per participant, of this total amount.
Transportation:
Mileage: The National Union will cover 50% of the mileage for the driver from their place of residence to the course location. This amount is paid to the driver only.
* Effective January 1st, 2026 at 0.73 per kilometer.
Other Transportation: The National Union will cover 50% of other forms of transportation (public transit, taxis, etc.) from the participant’s place of residence to the course location, with receipts.
Parking:
Parking will be reimbursed at 50%, with receipts.
Lunch Reimbursement:
We provide a $20 daily lunch reimbursement, per member (100%).
Example: $20 x 3 days = $60 per member for a 3-day course.
NOTE: Attendance at an Area School class is considered "work". As such, we encourage members to bring their lunch or go out for food within the time provided, as they would do at work.
Online Two-Day and Three-Day Courses
Two-day and three-day online courses will follow the same guidelines as two-day and three-day in-person courses but with no reimbursement for lunch, mileage, other transportation or parking.
The National Union will cover 50% of the participants lost time for only the days in which the course runs (this equals 2 or 3 full shifts).
Example: 3 days x 8 hours = 24 hours. The National Union cost share 50%, per participant, of this total amount.
PRE-APPROVAL FOR TRAVEL AND ACCOMODATION
In the unlikely event that a member will need to travel outside of their home community to attend a course, a Local President can contact us ahead of registering their member(s) to discuss a 50/50 cost share of per diem, travel (air, rail, ferry, bus, taxi) and accommodation.
For all advanced pre-approvals contact: Robin Fairchild Clennell, Education Director at @email
