Update on Merit (PTR/5%) Process for the 2019-20 Academic Year (PDAD&C #41)

From: Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life
Date: January 21, 2021
Re: Update on Merit (PTR/5%) Process for the 2019-20 Academic Year (PDAD&C #41)


I am pleased to announce that the University and UTFA have reached agreement concerning the payment of July 1, 2020 PTR. This memo contains important information concerning the administration of the PTR/5% merit scheme.  Both the PTR and 5% merit awards are based on the performance assessment for 2019-20. (See the Academic Salary Administration section of the AAPM for details.)

Salary Increases

Salary, Benefits and Workload bargaining with UTFA for the period  July 1, 2020 to June 30 2021 continues. There has been no agreement on any across the board salary increase [ATB] for the 2020-21 academic year. A further memo will be issued regarding ATB payable July 1, 2020, if any, when that information is available.

Payment of PTR

The payment of PTR will be implemented for the February or March 2021 pay run as is determined feasible on a Faculty by Faculty basis and in all instances will be retroactive to July 1, 2020. Individuals who elected the paid leave of absence under the Special Retirement Program are NOT eligible to receive payment of PTR.

PTR Mechanism for the Calculation of Merit Pools

The University and UTFA have agreed that the calculation of Merit (PTR and 5%) for the 2019-20 year will use the mechanism that had been used last year (2018-19) and prior to 2015-16. This means that PTR pools are generated solely from the salary pools above and below the Breakpoint.

5% Merit Pool

Recommendations with respect to 5% Merit Pool awards in multi-department Faculties should be forwarded to the Dean immediately, if they have not already been submitted, in line with instructions that will be provided by the Dean’s Office.

Deans of single department Faculties should forward their recommendations for the 5% Merit Pool by no later than January 27, 2021 to Jane Harrison, Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life (jane.harrison@utoronto.ca). Approval of awards for single department Faculties will be provided to Dean’s Offices by February 5, 2021.

Further information concerning the merit (PTR/5% merit) process is available in the AAPM.

Implementation of the PTR Mechanism for 2019-20

  • The PTR pool amounts will be available in the FIS B6 application the week of February 1. Specific details will follow from Planning & Budget.
  • Instructions on the HRIS implementation of these increases will be circulated to your Business Officers. The full instructions regarding HRIS processing will be made available via the AMS listserv and will provide details for both February and March pay implementation.
  • Revised salary letter templates are available online.

The following are the details of breakpoints and contributions.

PTR for Tenure-Stream, Part-Time, and CLTA Faculty:

Breakpoint: $169,650
Amount contributed to pool per FTE:
Below Breakpoint – $ 3,710*
Above Breakpoint – $ 2,105*

PTR for Teaching-Stream Faculty (Continuing and Term Appointments):

Breakpoint: $151,300
Amount contributed to pool per FTE:
Below Breakpoint – $ 3,465*
Above Breakpoint – $ 2,010*

PTR for Librarians:

Breakpoint: $128,600
Amount contributed to pool per FTE:
Below Breakpoint – $2,900*
Above Breakpoint – $ 1,430*

*These amounts exclude the 5% set aside for allocation through the 5% merit pool.