Committees and Working Groups

The Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC) supports and strengthens collective bargaining across Ontario’s university sector. The committee provides a forum for member organizations to share bargaining experiences, identify emerging trends, and develop strategies to advance the interests of academic staff. Through research, analysis, education, and collaboration, the committee helps build bargaining capacity and promotes fair working conditions, academic freedom, and high-quality post-secondary education. In carrying out its work, the committee considers how collective bargaining can advance OCUFA’s broader commitment to equity, accessibility, social justice, and Indigenization across the university sector.

The Contract Faculty Committee (CFC) focuses on issues affecting faculty complement, job security, and the working conditions of contract academic staff. The committee advocates for equitable and sustainable staffing models, examines trends in academic employment, and supports member organizations in addressing challenges related to precarity in the university sector. Through member engagement training, research, and information sharing, the committee works to strengthen academic work and improve conditions for all faculty members, while advancing OCUFA’s broader commitment to equity, accessibility, social justice, and Indigenization in academic workplaces.

The Equity and Social Justice Committee (ESJC) advances OCUFA’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, social justice, and reconciliation within Ontario’s universities and faculty associations. The committee promotes dialogue, learning, and action on issues such as systemic discrimination, Indigenization, human rights, and barriers to participation in academic workplaces. Through research, policy development, and member engagement, the committee helps inform OCUFA’s advocacy and supports member organizations in advancing equity and social justice initiatives. This work complements and informs OCUFA’s broader commitment to embedding equity, accessibility, social justice, and Indigenization across all areas of its work.

The Grievance Committee (GC) provides a forum for member organizations to exchange information, expertise, and best practices related to grievance handling and dispute resolution. The committee examines developments in labour and employment law, discusses emerging workplace issues, and supports capacity-building among faculty association representatives. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, the committee helps strengthen the ability of member organizations to protect collective agreement rights and advocate effectively for their members. The committee’s work is informed by OCUFA’s broader commitment to equity, accessibility, social justice, and Indigenization, recognizing the importance of these principles in promoting fair and inclusive workplace practices.

The Governance Working Group provides a forum for member organizations to share knowledge, discuss emerging issues, and strengthen understanding of governance within Ontario’s universities. Experts in the working group examine topics related to collegial governance, including the role and effectiveness of Senates, Boards of Governors, faculty councils, and other institutional decision-making bodies. Through collaboration, research, and information sharing, the group supports member organizations in promoting meaningful faculty participation in university governance and advancing principles of transparency, accountability, and shared decision-making. Its work is informed by OCUFA’s broader commitment to equity, accessibility, social justice, and Indigenization, recognizing the importance of inclusive governance structures and decision-making processes.

The University Finance Working Group brings together representatives from OCUFA member organizations to examine issues related to university finances, funding, budgeting, and financial accountability. The working group supports the exchange of information and analysis on institutional financial trends, government funding policies, and the financial decisions that shape Ontario’s universities. Through research, discussion, and collaboration, the group helps strengthen member organizations’ capacity to understand and respond to complex financial issues affecting the post-secondary education sector. The working group’s work is guided by OCUFA’s broader commitment to equity, accessibility, social justice, and Indigenization, recognizing that financial decisions have significant implications for faculty, students, and university communities.