The most up-to-date strike information can be found at collegestrike.ca, including information on bargaining, FAQs, a comparison of the offer vs. the proposal, and key information contacts.

January 29, 2010

Negotiations Update From the Colleges Bargaining Team
Following the January 13th strike vote, the parties met on January 19, 20, 21, 26 and 27.  In the absence of significant movement at the table and in an effort to avoid a strike, the colleges tabled a final offer.  The colleges have asked OPSEU to bring this offer to the membership for a vote.  The union’s bargaining team advised the mediator that they would not be able to respond to the request to hold a vote until Monday, February 1st.  The college’s final offer included the following improvements:

• Reduced the length of the proposed collective agreement from 4 years to 3 years
• Increased the salary proposal to 1.75%, 2.0%, and 2.0%
• New maximum salary $102,186 by September 1, 2011

The colleges are pleased that they have been able to offer improvements and not seek any concessions from the faculty.  Highlights are:
Salary and Benefits                                                 

• 5.9% salary increase over three years. (represents a $5,650 increase over the previous collective agreement)
• Increase the maximum in Supplemental Life Insurance Plan from $140,000 to $300,000
•  LTD benefit level will be adjusted to 60% of the September 1st, 2009 salary rates
•  Automatic coordination of drug card with spousal’s drug card

Workload

• Workload protections contained in the last collective agreement remain intact
• All full-time faculty retain access to SWF process
• Opportunity for faculty to initiate, design and voluntarily participate in modified workload arrangements
• Faculty will participate in the establishment of evaluation methods
• Full-time faculty who teach in excess of 260 students will be given additional SWF time

Professional Development (PD)

• Maximum salary for faculty on PD leave will be increased from 70% to 80% of the employee’s base salary