Update on Merit (PTR/5%) Process for the 2020-21 Academic Year (PDAD&C #69) – Communications for Academic Administrators

From: Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life
Date: May 13, 2021
Re: Update on Merit (PTR/5%) Process for the 2020-21 Academic Year (PDAD&C #69)

As I advised previously in PDAD&C #41 in January 2021, the University and UTFA were able to reach agreement for the payment of July 1, 2020 PTR prior to having reached a salary, benefit and workload agreement for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Salary, benefits and workload negotiations for that period are continuing.

I am writing to update you concerning July 1, 2021 PTR which will be part of salary, benefits and workload negotiations with UTFA for the period July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, which negotiations have not yet commenced. The University has proposed to UTFA that we agree that payment of PTR for July 1, 2021 be made in the July 2021 pay run using the same PTR model as was used for the July 1, 2020 PTR payment even though salary, benefit and workload negotiations for that period have not yet commenced. The proposal is that increments will remain the same as they were for the July 1, 2020 PTR exercise and that, should there subsequently be an across the board (ATB) percentage wage increase for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, the University would then make an additional payment of PTR retroactive to July 1, 2021 of any difference owing based on increasing the breakpoints and increments by the ATB percentage.

All Faculties and the Library should move forward with the process of assessment of faculty members and librarians and should work to ensure that calculations are complete for potential payment of July 1, 2021 PTR and any 5% merit for the July 2021 pay run in the event that UTFA agrees to the payment of July 1, 2021 PTR as we have proposed. Both PTR merit and 5% merit awards are based on the performance assessment for the 2020-21 academic year. (See the Academic Salary Administration section of the AAPM for details.)

Across the Board Salary Increases

July 1, 2020: Salary, benefits and workload negotiations with UTFA for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 continue and no agreement has been reached or award issued regarding any ATB salary increase for the 2020-21 academic year. A further memo will be issued regarding any ATB payable July 1, 2020 when that information is available.

July 1, 2021: Salary, benefits and workload negotiations with UTFA for the period July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 have not yet commenced. Further information will be provided when it is available.

Payment of PTR

Calculations for the payment of July 1, 2021 PTR should be completed so that it could be implemented for the July 2021 pay run should UTFA agree with the payment of July 1, 2021 PTR as we have proposed. Further direction will be provided regarding payment as soon as it is available. We are working with Dean’s Offices to identify a deadline for July 2021 pay run implementation.

PTR Mechanism for the Calculation of Merit Pools

If UTFA agrees to the University’s proposal for the payment of July 1, 2021 PTR in the July 1, 2021 pay run, the same PTR model as was used for the July 1, 2020 PTR payment will be used. 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 in line with instructions provided by each Dean’s Office.

Deans of single department Faculties should forward their recommendations for the 5% merit pool by no later than June 8, 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 June 18, 2021.

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

Implementation of the PTR Mechanism for 2020-21

The PTR pool amounts will be available in the FIS B6 application on May 26, 2021. 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.
Revised salary letter templates will be posted to the AAPM and shared with Dean’s Offices when available.

The following are the details of breakpoints and contributions. At present, in the absence of any agreement on any ATB payable July 1, 2020, Faculties should move forward with the assessment of faculty and calculation of merit based on July 1, 2020 breakpoints and pool contributions.

PTR for Tenure Stream and Non 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 Stream, and Part-time and CLTA 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.