and then this happened

When the new term begins, us part time lecturers know that we shall most likely not see any salary for a month. It can be rough going, and none of us can manage on that salary alone. What is also expected is that the contracts are almost never, ever given out when the semester begins. Infact we have received contracts sometimes as late as November for a September to December semester. This term, the contract was prepared by the third week in Spetember and the Secretary also happened to send both the claim forms and the pay dates too. This is usually something that also never comes together. Last year I checked the pay date form and put my claims in on the deadline only to be told that mine happened to be the last one 'in' to the department. I was very confused about that because the payment slip states that the date is the time to put in the claim? Anyway, I remembered the experience, so I decided to prepare my form a whole week early. Well guess what? My salary did not come in on the expected pay date of the 24th! I contacted HR and Payroll and was told that no contract for the semester was received! What it means is that I will not be paid until the end of November! I would be working for three months without a salary! I cannot begin to state how I felt when I was told that! Particularly as I am going way above and beyond (as usual) in the department with the Installation project that I am delivering on the 28th which is Monday and then another big department presentation on the 7th of November! I felt so despondant and grieved about this happening to me yet again!