On October 15 and 28, the university and Faculty Association (FA) met to resume negotiations toward a renewal collective agreement. During these meetings, it became clear to the university that its comprehensive proposal shared on September 12 was not acceptable to the FA.
The university has sought sustainable ways to enhance faculty compensation despite Ontario’s challenging post-secondary climate. Its proposal includes competitive annual wage increases and the opportunity to transition to a defined-benefit pension plan. Together, these changes represent an increase of more than 15 per cent in the university’s annual faculty salary budget.
Not only has the FA rejected the terms and conditions of the university’s latest proposal, but this week’s exchange was used by the FA to present a new proposal that increases monetary demands beyond its August submission.
The university has insisted and continues to encourage the FA to present its September 12 proposal to faculty members, along with the conditions articulated to achieve a long-term deal. Keeping faculty members in the dark for over six weeks with a historic agreement tabled is unacceptable. The university remains confident that a fair, long-term agreement can be reached with the FA, as has recently occurred with Ontario Tech’s other unionized groups.