OCADFA Settlement

Congratulations to the OCAD University Faculty Association (OCADFA) who received an arbitration award in early January 2025, concluding over a year of negotiations for the renewal of their 2023-2026 collective agreement. Thanks to strong member support going back to the Raise the Bar! campaign over the last few years, significant gains were made across the range of appointment types represented by the association: full time, Teaching Stream, Limited Term, and Sessional faculty; technicians; counsellors; and Teaching and Research Assistants.

On the broad mandate goal of fostering an equitable and fair workplace, gains were made on Indigenization, equity, student evaluations, and onboarding. In addition, the No Discrimination was updated, and a new article on accommodations was established. A letter of understanding on Indigenization includes a preamble recognizing Indigenous ways of knowing, and strengthens the dispute resolution process for Indigenous members. A properly resourced working group will consider how to improve recruitment, retention, and recognition of the unique service burden of Indigenous members.

On compensation and benefits, members received an across-the-board (ATB) increase of 3% for each of the three years of the agreement. Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants will see an additional 1% raise on January 1, 2025. As a key outcome of the #SessionalsCount campaign, the new agreement contains a provision for Sessional pay progression

Benefits improvements include increases to vision and dental care, paramedical services, basic life, and accidental death and dismemberment. The University has agreed toexplore joining the University Pension Plan (UPP) and up to one other plan selected by the Pension Committee.

Gains were also made on other mandate goals of protecting the student learning experience through manageable workloads, including for teaching stream members and department Chairs, improved job security for contract faculty, and recognizing and support for the full range of faculty and academic staff contributions to the university. Significant improvements were also won on sabbatical leaves, making these professional development opportunities more accessible overall.