Important Updates on Retro Pay

by

CUPE 3261 FTPT, Casual, and 89 Chestnut Unit Members —

Your negotiating committees have just received extremely disappointing news from the University regarding the timeline for implementation of both the new wage rates and retroactive pay which our entire membership has fought hard for and won in our recent round of bargaining. We have been told by the University that the new wage rates and retro will not be implemented until May 31st – more than 2.5 months from the March 17th date that these agreements were ratified and came into effect. While the new wage rates did take effect on March 17th, the University is stating that our paycheques will continue to show the old rates until May 31st, at which point all retro will be paid out for all hours worked since the contract expiry.

While this delay is not a violation of the memorandum of agreement we signed and ratified, we have already told the University that such a delayed timeline is unacceptable, and completely out of line with past practice. We also stressed the concerns our members who are laid off seasonally in our FTPT and 89 Chestnut Units have about the way this could complicate or impact EI benefits (see the FAQ below). The University so far has not responded to or addressed any of these concerns.

As such, we have decided to launch a petition to the University administration for Respect and Dignity NOW, demanding the timely payment of the wages that we are owed from the University.

Sign the Petition

Click the button above to sign the petition and be sure to share with all of your coworkers – it can easily be filled out on a phone in just 2 minutes. We will provide updates on the plan to deliver the petition and any responses we receive from the University. The fight for respect and dignity continues. Please read on below for some more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the retro pay and implementation of the new collective agreement.

In solidarity,

Your CUPE 3261 FTPT, Casual, and 89 Chestnut Negotiating Committees

FAQs

RETRO PAY

If I’m on seasonal layoff and collecting EI when retro is paid, how could this affect me?

According to the Employment Insurance policy on retroactive increases in wages or salary, “retroactive increases in wages or salary are specifically excluded from consideration as earnings during the benefit period and for interruption of earnings purposes, as they are considered to have been earned over the period worked.” In other words – while everyone’s situation will be different depending on your individual and family income – we don’t expect this to have a negative impact on your EI benefit. This may however complicate the EI process, with more paperwork added and the University potentially having to issue a second Record of Employment (ROE) or other material after the retro is paid.

If my casual, temporary, or term contract expires, or if I otherwise stop working at the University before the retro is paid, how could this affect me?

Regardless of your employment status at the time when the retro is paid out, you will be entitled to the new rates and retro pay for all of your hours worked as long as you were actively employed in your bargaining unit on the date of ratification (March 17th).

OTHER CBA IMPLEMENTATION QUESTIONS

When can I use the new $200 boot allowance?

  • As soon as you are eligible for your next boot allowance according to your collective agreement.

When can FTPT or 89 Chestnut members use the new 5th paid personal day?

  • For FTPT members: Immediately. For 89 Chestnut members: Starting May 1, 2024.

When can Casual members use the four paid sick days?

  • Immediately. You have up to four paid sick days you can use per year. To avoid pay issues, make sure to tell your supervisor in writing that you are taking a paid sick day.

As a reminder, the Tentative Agreement Summaries and complete language can be found on our website here.

Tentative Agreements Ratified!

by

The Tentative Agreement Summaries and complete language can be found on our website here

We will follow up in the coming weeks as to when we can expect retro payments to be paid out, and other aspects of the implementation of the new collective agreement.

The historic gains found in these collective agreements were only made possible by the historic organizing in all of our workplaces. This work must continue! We aim to hold elections for stewards in all departments over the next two months to work to enforce this agreement and continue pushing to improve our working conditions.

In solidarity,

Your CUPE 3261 FTPT, Casual, and 89 Chestnut Negotiating Committees

United we WON!

Ratification Meetings

by

CUPE 3261 FTPT, Casual, and 89 Chestnut Unit Members —

See below the dates and times for the ratification meetings being held at each campus as well as online this week. At these meetings, the bargaining committee will overview the tentative agreement and members will have the opportunity to ask questions. The meeting will last approximately 1 hour, after which a vote to approve (ratify) the tentative agreement will be held. The result of these votes will be announced by the end of day Saturday, March 16th.

You may attend these meetings on paid work time – be sure to get approval from your supervisor.

If you haven’t yet read the summary of the tentative agreements, it can be found on our website here.

Note: You may only attend and vote in one of these meetings.

Tuesday March 12 @ STG — for FTPT + Casual members

Wednesday March 13 @ UTM — for FTPT + Casual members

  • 1PM @ Davis Building Rm. 3140 (UTM Room)
  • 10PM @ Davis Building Rm. 3130 (Council Chamber)

Thursday March 14

@ 89 Chestnut — for 89 Chestnut members

  • 1PM @ Giovanni Room
  • 4PM @ Giovanni Room

@UTSC for FTPT + Casual members

  • 10PM @ Social Sciences Building MW130

Friday March 15 @ UTSC — for FTPT + Casual members

  • 1PM @ Social Sciences Building MW130
  • 10PM @ Social Sciences Building MW130 MOVED TO THURSDAY

Saturday March 16 @ Online — for FTPT, Casual and 89 Chestnut members

  • 12 noon
  • Zoom links will be emailed out Saturday morning to all members who have not attended one of the meetings during the week. Electronic ballots will be sent by email to all virtual attendees after the meeting

United We WON!

by

We have reached a historic tentative agreement!

Today, for the first time ever, all five units of CUPE 3261 and CUPE 3902 sat side-by-side at the table during our final pass of counter proposals. Many hours later and just minutes before midnight, we received the university’s final offer, and signed a historic tentative agreement.

Your coordination and solidarity have secured historic gains for thousands of CUPE members in both 3261 and 3902. You have shown that when teaching assistants, caretakers, postdoctoral researchers, and food service workers stand together, you can achieve real gains that improve your working conditions.

Each of the five units has secured historic wins.

Here are some of the highlights for CUPE 3261:

Full-Time Part-Time

  • $25 minimum wage for ALL workers upon ratification
  • Hundreds of dollars saved per year on dental and extended health premiums
  • Evening and overnight shift premiums — $1 AND no exclusions for food service!
  • 9% increase retroactive to July 1, 2023, followed by 2% and 1.8% increase
  • One extra paid personal day
  • And more—details to come!

89 Chestnut

  • $25 minimum wage for ALL non-tipped workers
  • 9% increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024, followed by 2% and 1.8% increase
  • One extra paid personal day
  • Alignments with Full-Time Part-Time:
    • Sick leave (from three days to 15 weeks)
    • Extra week vacation by July 2025
    • Evening and overnight shift premiums — $1
    • Bereavement
  • And more—details to come!

Casual

  • $18 minimum wage retroactive to July 1, 2023, $19/hr July 1, 2024, and $20/hr July 1, 2025
  • Historic equal pay for equal work provision!
  • Two extra sick days, up to a total of four per year (from zero in less than one year!)
  • Equitable distribution of shifts
  • Uniform allowance for all hospitality workers
  • And more—details to come!

Next Steps:

All members are to report to work as usual.

If you are available, join us for our joint rally this morning at 9 a.m. at Convocation Hall on St. George Campus!

In the next week, you’ll be able to review the gains from the tentative agreement ahead of a ratification meeting to be held early next week.

In solidarity,

Your CUPE 3261 Bargaining Committees

Join us Thursday Feb 29 at our Info Pickets!

by

On Thursday, February 29th, join your coworkers to practice picketing, make picket signs, and talk to the U of T community about bargaining and a potential strike. Pickets will be held at:

  • UTSG 8:30am-12:30pm (89 Chestnut)
  • UTSG 1pm-5pm (Convocation Hall)
  • UTM 9am-1pm (UTMSU)
  • UTSC 9am-1pm (Bus Loop in front of Highland Hall)

RSVP here to sign up for a shift!