Ontario College Professor Collective Agreement: What You Need to Know
If you`re a college professor in Ontario, you may be interested in the collective agreement that governs your employment. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) represents professors and academic employees at colleges across the province, and negotiates their collective agreements with the colleges.
The current collective agreement between OPSEU and the colleges was ratified in 2017, and will expire on September 30, 2021. Negotiations for a new agreement are currently underway. Here`s what you need to know about the current collective agreement:
Salary and Benefits
Under the collective agreement, college professors are paid a salary that is based on a grid system, which takes into account their education and experience. The grid ranges from $62,717 to $115,378, with annual increments.
Professors also receive benefits, including extended health and dental coverage, life insurance, and a retirement plan.
Working Conditions
The collective agreement sets out working conditions for college professors, including:
– Teaching workload: professors are required to teach a certain number of hours per week, depending on their position and subject area.
– Professional development: professors are entitled to annual professional development funding, which they can use to attend conferences, workshops, or courses.
– Academic freedom: professors have the right to speak and publish freely on academic matters, without fear of reprisal.
– Evaluation: professors are evaluated based on their teaching, research, and service activities.
Grievance Procedure
If a professor has a complaint or grievance against their college, they can use the grievance procedure outlined in the collective agreement. This involves a series of steps, starting with informal discussions between the professor and their supervisor, and culminating in arbitration if the matter is not resolved.
Negotiating a New Agreement
As mentioned, negotiations are currently underway for a new collective agreement between OPSEU and the colleges. Some of the issues being discussed include:
– Salary increases: OPSEU is seeking a 7% salary increase over three years, while the colleges have offered a 1.5% increase.
– Job security: OPSEU wants to address the growing use of contract and part-time faculty in the colleges, and ensure that full-time positions are available to those who want them.
– Class size: OPSEU is advocating for smaller class sizes, which they argue would improve the quality of education for students.
The negotiations are ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the final agreement will include.
In conclusion, the collective agreement between OPSEU and the colleges plays a crucial role in the working conditions and compensation of Ontario college professors. Those who are interested in the negotiations for a new agreement should stay informed and engaged in the process.
