Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation
35 Support Staff uOttawa

pension

Information bulletin #1 – Pension Plan Reform

At the employer’s request, the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO), the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO), the Professional Institute of Public Service of Canada (PIPSC-IPFPC), and all other groups who participate in the current University of Ottawa pension fund, have begun this semester a consultation process towards the possible reform of the pension regime, in order to assure its sustainability and in response to the 2012 Ontario budget. This is not the first time, over the last few years, that a consultation similar to this one has taken place. During the last consultation, more than two years ago, APUO, IUOE, OSSTF/FEESO and PIPSC-IPFPC (who collectively represent approximately 80% of individuals contributing to the pension fund) shared with the employer a comprehensive proposal for pension reform, which, at that time, never received a proper answer.

 

APUO, IUOE, OSSTF/FEESO and PIPSC-IPFPC are now working in close collaboration through a single common approach. We have recently communicated with the employer to remind it of that fact, and to let it know that a new consultation cannot, strictly speaking, begin any other way than with a proper and comprehensive answer to that reform proposal. It goes without saying that only a just and fair reform could eventually be presented to all of our members for ratification.

 

To that extent, we find it important to reiterate that the pension regime is one element of our total compensation, as are salary and other benefits. So, the employer’s contribution is, in reality, the members’ money (the employer could pay the exact same amount in salary without increasing its costs). Thus any decrease in the contribution directly made by the employer to the pension fund would evidently be a reduction in our compensation.

 

It is therefore clear for APUO, IUOE, OSSTF/FEESO and PIPSC-IPFPC that the issue of pension reform is to be understood in the broader context of our total compensation, and that this position will guide all of our discussions.

 

Finally, we also find it important to remind everyone of the University’s sound financial situation. As demonstrated in the analysis APUO sent to its members last January (see APUO Negotiations Update 7), the University has accumulated surpluses representing more than $500 million from 2001 to 2011. Furthermore, according to the University’s consolidated financial statements, there was a $28 million surplus for the year 2011-2012.

 

We will of course keep you informed of any and all developments, as and when they unfold. Keep an eye open for future information bulletins.

 

Sincerely,

 

APUO, IUOE, OSSTF/FEESO and PIPSC-IPFPC

 

Information bulletin #2 – Pension Plan Reform

Dear members,

The discussions between the employer and the four union groups: Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO), the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Support Staff University of Ottawa of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (PSUO-SSUO OSSTF/FEESO), the Professional Institute of Public Service of Canada (PIPSC-IPFPC), on an eventual pension plan reform are still unfolding. We had a full day meeting on Monday January 28th, where the employer presented its understanding of the pension plan’s current and foreseeable financial situation, as well as its own definition of long term sustainability.

It is the collective opinion of the four union groups that the employer has yet to make a case that the pension plan suffers from a structural or design problem. On the contrary, we believe that the plan faces a temporary actuarial challenge, not a permanent structural one, and that any permanent change affecting negatively our members in one way or another would not only be unwarranted, but ill-conceived.

We will keep using our own independent experts, i.e. actuaries and legal counsels, to verify all assumptions, numbers, and claims coming from the employer. We will also continue to work together in the interest of all our members, and will keep the dialogue open with the employer. We will of course let you know of all relevant developments on this important issue.

Sincerely,

APUO, IUOE, PSUO-SSUO and PIPSC-IPFPC