The Joint Committee is pleased to announce that the representatives of the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA) and the Administration have agreed to a remuneration settlement for the one-year period from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006, subject to ratification by MUFA members who participate in the Career Progress/Merit Scheme.  This agreement is the result of close consideration and discussion by the Joint Committee.  It was guided by the Principles established by the Committee and achieves what the Committee feels is an appropriate and acceptable balance of the range of interests presented.  MUFA and the Administration continue to share the goals of fair remuneration for faculty and an environment that rewards excellence and supports the scholarly pursuits and aspirations of faculty.

The agreement is built on the central importance of maintaining the current Career Progress/Merit (CP/M) system for rewarding the achievement of goals in research, teaching and service.  Additionally, the agreement provides for an across-the-board increase designed to be comparable with current settlements in Ontario.  To support scholarly activities, the Professional Development Allowance (PDA) and salaries during research leaves have been increased.  As well, the agreement improves the coverage for vision care, paramedicals, major dental and orthodontic procedures.

An information session will be held by the Joint Committee to discuss the agreement on Monday, March 21, 2005 in Hamilton Hall Room 302 at 3:30 pm.  You are invited to attend.
 
 
 

TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT

For the Period July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006

1. CP/M Awards for 2005/06 (merit year 2004) will be based on 120 par units per 100 faculty members.  Determination of the value of the par unit for the merit year 2004 awards will be based on an increase of 3% to the salary floor for Assistant Professors, i.e., the current Assistant Professor floor of $49,861will increase to $51,357 and the salary breakpoints between ranges will also increase by 3%; the resultant par unit will be $2,768.55.  Payments of these amounts will be included in salary effective July 1, 2005.

 
2. Effective July 1, 2005 there will be an across-the-board (ATB) increase of 3% of the June 30, 2005 salary.  The salary floors for all ranks will also increase by 3%.

 
3. Effective July 1, 2005, Research Leave options currently offered to eligible faculty at 85% of salary under the Research Leave Policy will be increased to 90% of salary.  Those Research Leaves eligible for 

100% salary will continue to be so eligible.
 
4. Effective July 1, 2005, the Professional Development Allowance (PDA) will be increased from $1,500 to $1,550.

 
5. Effective July 1, 2005, floor overload stipends per full 6-unit course will be $10,500 for Lecturers and Assistant Professors, $11,500  for Associate Professors and $12,500 for Full Professors.

 
6. Effective July 1, 2005, the Major Medical Plan coverage will be increased as follows:


Vision Care
$250 maximum per person, including dependents, per rolling 24 months
Paramedicals
$20 per visit to a maximum of $300 per practitioner per person per benefit year
 

7. Effective July 1, 2005, the Dental Plan coverage will be increased as follows:

Major Dental Procedures
70% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,500 per person per benefit year
Orthodontic Procedures
50% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,500 per person per lifetime