Negotiations

• January 16, 2026: Following a considerable and unnecessary delay in negotiations, bargaining with the Faculty Association is scheduled to resume on January 23, and there is a clear expectation from Ontario Tech University that this process will move decisively toward agreement.
  
  A fair and groundbreaking deal was presented in September to the Faculty Association representatives. That offer was not presented to members and finalized despite the certainty it would have provided to staff and the university and its students.

  Prolonged delays have already created unnecessary uncertainty, and time wasted on continued deferral only increases pressure on our faculty and students at a time when stability and certainty are essential. In November, the University’s outreach to the Faculty Association to advance negotiations was met with another prolonged delay.  Instead of returning to the bargaining table, the Faculty Association advised that it would wait until the parties met as part of the unfair labour practice complaint it filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). The OLRB meeting took place on January 12 and the only outcome was the agreement to resume bargaining on January 23. 

   The University was forced to spend substantial time and resources to prepare and file submissions with the OLRB to respond to the frivolous allegations put forward by the Faculty Association. After choosing not to meet with the University since October 28 and ignoring requests in the weeks that followed to have the parties engage in the normal course of negotiations, the choice of the Faculty Association to instead devote time to processing its bargaining complaint was inexplicable.  It signifies to the University another attempt to shift energy and attention from where it should be—on certainty for our community.

  The University has been, and will continue to be, fully committed to negotiating terms that reflect the quality and contributions of our valued faculty members. In doing so, the University is also responsible to ensure that its proposals reflect sector and market conditions changing from time to time, and how those realities directly impact the University’s current and future operations. Within a fast-changing environment, we do not see further delays in negotiations benefitting either party.

  The right thing to do in the current climate is clear: conclude negotiations, finalize the deal, and ratify it. Doing so provides certainty for our faculty, supports the education of our students, and demonstrates good-faith leadership. 

• November 28, 2025: Over the past month, the university has made multiple attempts to re-engage the Faculty Association (FA) in bargaining discussions. During this period, the FA has not returned to the table or responded to the university’s outstanding questions related to its proposals. On Wednesday, the FA informed the university of its intention to file an unfair labour practice complaint. 

  The FA stepped away from the bargaining table during negotiations, and meaningful progress requires active dialogue and sustained participation at the table. The university remains fully committed to reaching a fair and responsible agreement that supports faculty and advances our institution; however, reciprocal engagement is necessary. 

  Despite the university putting forward a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that has been with the FA since early September and would represent historic gains for faculty members, bargaining has stalled. The FA has not met with the university in a month, and with a new bargaining mandate now required, prior progress is at risk. It is disappointing that the FA has characterized the university’s decision not to simply accept its full list of demands as evidence of bargaining in bad faith.

  To be clear, the university remains ready to resume bargaining. Open and timely communication is essential, and we will continue to provide transparent and regular updates to the community. We strongly encourage the FA to return to the table so that we can work together to finalize an agreement that reflects the interests of all faculty members.

• November 25, 2025: Since the last formal engagement between the Faculty Association and the university on October 28, the university has made multiple attempts to connect with the Faculty Association and to seek clarification on their most recent written proposal. Unfortunately, the Faculty Association has not responded to these emails. 

  Within the email dated November 4, the university noted that the bargaining mandate was set to expire as of Thursday, December 4. At that time, it will be necessary for the university’s bargaining team to secure a refreshed mandate against a review of more current sector developments and financial conditions than those that informed the original bargaining mandate. Once this process is completed, the university will resume negotiations with the Faculty Association and will advise the community accordingly. All bargaining updates can be found on the university’s negotiations homepage.

  We remain hopeful that the parties can reach a renewal agreement that properly recognizes the value and contributions of our faculty members. To that end, the university would like to re-iterate that the most recent version of its bargaining position includes both market-responsive compensation increases and would introduce a historic change to the pension plan.

• October 29, 2025: On October 15 and 28, the university and Faculty Association (FA) met to resume negotiations toward a renewal collective agreement. During these meetings, it became clear to the university that its comprehensive proposal shared on September 12 was not acceptable to the FA.
  
  The university has sought sustainable ways to enhance faculty compensation despite Ontario’s challenging post-secondary climate. Its proposal includes competitive annual wage increases and the opportunity to transition to a defined-benefit pension plan. Together, these changes represent an increase of more than 15 per cent in the university’s annual faculty salary budget.

  
  Not only has the FA rejected the terms and conditions of the university’s latest proposal, but this week’s exchange was used by the FA to present a new proposal that increases monetary demands beyond its August submission.

  The university has insisted and continues to encourage the FA to present its September 12 proposal to faculty members, along with the conditions articulated to achieve a long-term deal. Keeping faculty members in the dark for over six weeks with a historic agreement tabled is unacceptable. The university remains confident that a fair, long-term agreement can be reached with the FA, as has recently occurred with Ontario Tech’s other unionized groups.

• October 10, 2025: The University and Faculty Association have agreed to formally resume discussions on Wednesday, October 15. We are hopeful that the considerable progress made to date, and the prospect for foundational changes to compensation and pension elements for faculty members included in the University’s comprehensive proposal, will contribute to reaching a renewal agreement in short order.
  
  
• October 1, 2025: On May 26, 2025, the university and Faculty Association (FA) began negotiations to renew the collective agreement ahead of its scheduled expiry on June 30.
  
  

  Between May 26 and August 29, the parties held 20 bargaining sessions. Despite meaningful engagement by the university to narrow differences and achieve a freely negotiated agreement, the FA has once again chosen to suspend negotiations and seek third-party involvement. Unfortunately, the FA has also circulated inaccurate information to the university community about the progress and outcomes of these negotiations.

  As of August 29, the university believed negotiations were close to resolution, with only a few matters remaining, and a clear pathway forward. At the FA Executive Director’s request, the university delivered its full comprehensive proposal in writing on September 12.

  Subsequently, the FA presented a package that, in the university’s view, misrepresents the status of bargaining as of August 29. Their communication to members suggests an attempt to bind the university to commitments made in good faith on the understanding that other proposals had been resolved or withdrawn. At the same time, the FA seeks to re-open or expand on settled matters, in the hope that a third party will compel the university to enhance its last offer.

  The university’s more recent offer recognizes and reflects respect for the contributions of our valued faculty and their impact on Ontario Tech’s success. While the FA seeks significant enhancements, the university’s proposal strikes a balance of reasonable trade-offs and demonstrates a clear commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. 

• September 12, 2025: The University provided the Faculty Association with its comprehensive offer in writing. 
  
  
• August 29, 2025: The University and the Faculty Association completed their 20th formal meeting as part of negotiations for a renewal collective agreement. 
  
  
• June 30, 2025: Expiry of the collective agreement between the University and Faculty Association.
  
  
• May 26, 2025: First day of bargaining.
  
  
• April 2025: The University provided Notice to Bargain to the Faculty Association, initiating the collective bargaining process.

• June 2025: Ontario Tech and OPSEU/SEFPO reach resolution on Bill 124

OPSEU and the University announce agreement has been reached to resolve all matters related to Bill 124 through a combination of base salary increases and lump sum payments.

• June 2024: Ontario Tech and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 301 ratify 4-year agreement

Ontario Tech University and the members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 301 (administrative and technical staff) have ratified a new collective agreement. Retroactive to July 1, 2023, the agreement will remain in effect through to June 30, 2027.

• December 2024: Ontario Tech and PSAC ratify 5-year collective agreement for Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants and Exam Invigilators

The new collective agreement provides both fair and reasonable financial commitments and responds appropriately to the changing post-secondary landscape in Ontario. This agreement fully resolves the impact of Bill 124 and creates new opportunities for Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants to secure additional appointments during their program of study.

• April 2025: Ontario Tech and PSAC ratify 4-year collective agreement for Post Doctoral Fellows

Ontario Tech University is pleased to announce the ratification of a four-year collective agreement with Post Doctoral Fellows (PDFs) represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). This renewal agreement expands hiring opportunities for PDFs and includes reasonable increases to salary minima. The collective agreement now extends until December 31, 2028.

• July 2023: Ontario Tech ratifies 5-year collective agreement with Sessional Lecturers