Joint Release: Office of the Provost, University of Toronto and University of Toronto Faculty Association
We are very pleased to announce that representatives of the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA) and the University administration have reached a tentative agreement regarding changes to the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) prescribing the relationship between UTFA and the Governing Council of the University of Toronto. We have also reached tentative agreement on related issues falling under the auspices of the Special Joint Advisory Committee (SJAC) process. It is to the credit of both parties and to our Facilitator, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, that our shared strong commitment to the University of Toronto enabled us to reach a tentative agreement on these challenging and important issues.
The proposed changes to the MoA include a new process to address changes to policies identified in the MoA, changes to the MoA itself, as well as other significant terms and conditions of employment for faculty and librarians contained in existing or proposed University-wide policies. These matters are not subject to any prescribed process for bringing the parties together under the current MoA. We have also tentatively agreed to changes to the Policy and Procedures on Academic Appointments regarding tenure and promotion for tenure stream faculty that we believe are to the benefit of our colleagues. In addition we have developed a new Policy on Academic Restructuring which sets out a process that will ensure full and appropriate collegial involvement and consultation when significant changes to academic units are being contemplated.
While we have not yet reached agreement on the terms of a revised policy for teaching stream faculty, the parties have also committed to attempting to reach agreement in ongoing SJAC facilitation with the assistance of the Honourable Frank Iacobucci. In addition, the parties have committed to making review of the Policies for Librarians a priority under the new arrangement, once approved.
The Faculty Association will engage in a consultation process with its members concerning these proposed changes, culminating in a ratification vote by the UTFA Council on December 15, 2014. Please look for more details on the tentative agreement from UTFA in the coming weeks and for opportunities for you to contribute comments and questions. After the UTFA Council vote, the University administration will engage with the relevant Governance bodies, including the Governing Council, to seek their endorsement.
