FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 2, 2001

Tentative agreement for college faculty

TORONTO – About 6,500 faculty members at all 25 of Ontario’s community colleges will receive increases of up to seven per cent under a tentative agreement signed yesterday between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Council of Regents.

The two-year settlement will increase salaries by three per cent Sept. 1, another two per cent Sept. 1, 2002 and 1 per cent April 1, 2003. Also on Sept. 1, 2002, any faculty who have been at the top step on the scale for a full year will get a further $700 "recognition allowance" added to their pay. This affects about a third of the group.

"For the first time ever, we have negotiated an ‘on-time’ contract for professors, counsellors and librarians, and we have done so without any concessions in our workload formula," said Ted Montgomery, chair of the union’s bargaining team.

"In the past college faculty bargaining has often dragged over several years. This year we have a tentative agreement within 24 hours of the expiry of the old contract. We have conceded none of our existing rights, and we have made substantial gains in many areas," Montgomery said.

Job security gains include language to cover the situation if colleges merge, and a broader application of "experience" in layoff situations.

Audiologists, occupational therapists and optometrists have been added to extended health coverage, and faculty can now claim up to $1,500 for any combination of the covered paramedical services.

There are gains in dental coverage. Hearing aids go to $3,000 every three years from $300 every five years in recognition of technological improvements in the field. Vision care is increased to $300 every two years from $200, and can be used for refractive surgery as well as eyeglasses.

The tentative settlement introduces an optional expedited grievance process to deal with workplace complaints more quickly at lower cost. A joint task force will look at better ways to accommodate staff returning from sick leave or injury.

A ratification vote is tentatively set for Sept. 26 at all 25 colleges. The bargaining team is unanimous in recommending the settlement.

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For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph – OPSEU communications: 416-967-5964 (home) or 416-788-9057 (cell)

Ted Montgomery: 416-492-9717 (home) or 416-495-1500 (work)