Faculty Bargaining Bulletin: Vol. 9, No. 3

UWOFA and the employer met for bargaining on July 6, 7, and 8.  There has been some progress, though this has been limited to issues pertaining primarily to administration of the Collective Agreement. The parties reached agreement and signed off on the following articles:

• Association Rights
• Joint Committee
• Grievance and Arbitration
• Academic Fraud and Misconduct
• Entry and Return of Academic Administrators to the Bargaining Unit

We anticipate a busy next few days as we move into the final days of bargaining before a summer pause. There was productive discussion on the Academic Responsibilities of Members, including how activities are defined across Tenure Track and Teaching Scholar Track appointments. Back and forth between the parties has been cooperative on this matter, and we are encouraged by the direction of these conversations. 

UWOFA also presented its Benefits proposals, addressing improvements Members have told us are overdue. Highlights include:

• Benefits for Part-Time Members: automatic enrolment for Members with Standing Appointment to the same benefits plan as Full-Time Members. Increase in pay in lieu of benefits for all Part-Time Members. 
• Members Working Past Age 71:  improved access to benefits. 
• PER/Flex Credits: increased minimum amount of flexible benefit credits available to Members.
• Paramedical Services: increased coverage for physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, osteopathy, and speech pathology, and counting of these costs toward the out-of-pocket maximum.
• Vision Care: increased reimbursement amount for prescription glasses and contact lenses.
• Dental Care: more frequent recall exams and the inclusion of Major Services toward the out-of-pocket maximum.
• Mental Health Coverage: out-of-province coverage (for example, for dependents attending university in another province)
• Long Term Disability: increased monthly benefit maximums.
• Critical Illness: increased lump sum amount, and expanded list of covered critical illnesses. 
• Faculty Start-Up Grant: increased research start-up funding for new Members on Probationary and eligible Limited-Term Appointments.

UWOFA is awaiting responses from the employer on key proposals, including contract faculty job security, putting guardrails around AI, and placing teaching work at the proposed Western International College under the terms of the collective agreement. We are presenting our initial compensation in the next few days and we look forward to receiving the employer’s.