UTFA Salary, Benefits, and Workload Interest Arbitration Update

From: Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life (and on behalf of Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture)
Date: October 27, 2022
Re: UTFA Salary, Benefits, and Workload Interest Arbitration Update

The University is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA) on benefits improvements as part of salary, benefits, and workload negotiations for July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.   

Effective November 1, 2022 the benefits plan coverage for active & retired faculty members and librarians will be enhanced as follows: 

  • The combined maximum for psychology and mental health benefits (which includes Marriage and Family Therapist, or Addiction Counsellor as announced earlier this year) will increase from $5,000 per benefit year to $7,000 per benefit year; 
  • The combined maximum for paramedical services (Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, Registered Massage Therapist, Osteopath, Chiropodist, Acupuncturist, Dietitian, Occupational Therapist) will increase from $2,500 per benefit year to $5,000 per benefit year;
  • The maximum for vision care (prescription eye glasses or contact lenses, or medically necessary contact lenses, laser eye surgery, or the services of a licensed optometrist) will increase from $700 every 24 months to $725 every 24 months; 

Faculty members and librarians have been notified about the resulting changes to the premium rates. 

Similar to other employee groups at the University, this agreement complies with Bill 124 which limited increases in total compensation, including the value of benefit enhancements, to 1% per year. 

This agreement, in addition to the agreement regarding the Dependent Scholarship Program announced August 10, 2022 and the interim award from arbitrator Eli Gedalof announced September 16, 2022, resolves the some of the salary, benefits, and workload matters for the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. Outstanding matters in dispute are pending a final decision by Arbitrator Gedalof.