Important YUFA Activities During the Summer

27 Sep 11 - Although the summer was relatively quiet on campus, there were several important issues being addressed by YUFA. I include them all in a single communication.

Collective Bargaining

The Executive continued its review of the entire Collective Agreement over the summer months and then prepared draft primary negotiating positions (PNP) for the renewal Collective Agreement. The Executive thanks all YUFA members who responded to the call for input; all input was carefully considered. Every clause of the current Collective Agreement was carefully reviewed. The Executive approved the draft primary negotiating positions which have been forwarded to Stewards’ Council for approval at the meeting of 7 October, after which they will be sent to the membership for ratification at a General Meeting. The current contract expires 30 April 2012.

The draft PNP and supporting documents regarding Article 9 (Grievance and Arbitration), and CAUT's document regarding Carriage Rights submitted to Stewards' Council are provided here. Highlights include reductions in workload, increased compensation, increased sabbatical salary support, and improvements in benefits for active and retired YUFA members. It should be noted that in University budget projections presented by Vice President Finance & Administration, Gary Brewer, there was provision for compensation increases and this was reflected in the York University Staff Association's recent contract settlement.

Pensions

The pension fund has suffered from the various downturns of the last decade, and consequently, most people currently retiring do so on the minimum guarantee rather than the money purchase option. The long-term solvency of the Pension Plan is in question. As we informed you earlier, the University sought and later obtained temporary solvency relief from the provincial government; to read about this, see the 20 June 2011 Y-File Report and the approved submission. The Employer is obliged under the terms of the solvency plan to negotiate with the various employee groups in the Pension Plan and has had collective meetings with them. The Employer has informed YUFA that they wish to meet with us, our advisors and other employee groups in the near future.

As previously reported, we have established a group including Walter Whiteley, Brenda Spotton Visano and myself to participate in discussions with the Employer. We have retained legal counsel specializing in pensions and an actuary to review our Pension Plan and provide advice. They attend all meetings with the Employer relevant to solvency relief. They have been working on this portfolio over the summer and we should receive advice and comment from them in the near future, which we will discuss with the YUFA membership.

YUFA has clearly signalled to the Employer that we wish to retain current pension benefits, including the hybrid nature of the plan.

Under the current Collective Agreement, there is provision for setting up a "joint committee to study pension plan and retirement provisions..." (Article 14.01(d)) to discuss possible improvements. This joint committee has been established and we have requested a meeting with the Employer.

Faculty Club

A petition was presented to President Shoukri and YUFA in which the establishment of a Faculty Club was proposed. Representatives of YUFA Executive met with Vice-President Finance & Administration Gary Brewer and Executive Director Faculty Relations Dr. Barry Miller to discuss the possibility in detail. VP Brewer undertook to determine the details of why the three previous faculty clubs were financially inviable and to report this to YUFA and have further discussions. Both parties are sympathetic to the re-establishment of a Faculty Club. YUFA awaits the Employer’s further response.

Individual Member Concerns

YUFA has been very busy over the summer with various member concerns, including matters arising in hiring and in tenure & promotion in LA&PS. YUFA vigorously supports the interests and rights of its members under the Collective Agreement through advocacy, advice, individual / group / policy grievances, and arbitrations.

Arthur J. Hilliker
YUFA, President