Agreement on Cost-Sharing Arrangements for Dental Plan Premiums
CUASA and the University have successfully resolved a dispute that arose regarding the implementation of the new 2024-2027 collective agreement, specifically related to Article 38.2, “Health Benefit Plans – Cost-Sharing Arrangements”. The dispute centred on the language of Article 38.2(d) related to the dental plan premiums.
Specifically, CUASA believed that it had achieved language in collective bargaining that would shift the cost-sharing for dental premiums from the previous arrangements, under which the University paid 77% of dental premiums and members paid 23%, to a new arrangement under which the University assumed 100% of the costs for dental premiums.
Following the ratification of the 2024-2027 collective agreement, the University continued to deduct dental premiums from CUASA members. CUASA flagged this to the University over the summer, including the Association’s understanding that the updated language in Article 38.2(d) meant the University should no longer be charging members for dental premiums.
In response, the University administration signalled that it believed the language agreed to in Article 38.2(d) was a mistake and asserted that the Employer never intended to agree to any changes to cost-sharing arrangements for dental premiums.
With the parties disagreeing on the situation, the matter was referred to William Kaplan, who served as mediator between the parties on April 26 and 27, 2025, at which time the tentative agreement had been reached. Under the Memorandum of Settlement reached in mediation with Mr. Kaplan, he remained seized for any issues arising with implementing the new collective agreement.
CUASA and the University met with Mr. Kaplan in early November and agreed that both parties would provide a written submission outlining their respective positions, after which a follow-up meeting would be scheduled to discuss next steps. At the follow-up meeting last week, on December 10, the parties were able to come to an agreement.
Under this agreement, the new cost-sharing arrangement of having dental premiums borne wholly by the University will come into effect on April 30, 2027. As of this date, CUASA members will no longer be responsible for 23% of their dental premiums – the University will be assuming 100% of the cost for the dental plan.
By agreeing to implement this on the last day of the 2024-2027 collective agreement, this also means that, going into negotiations for the next collective agreement, CUASA will not need to negotiate on dental premiums, since the new arrangement will have already come into effect.
While it is disappointing we could not see this change come into effect with the ratification of the 2024-2027 collective agreement this past spring, CUASA is pleased with this resolution that secures the gain of the new cost-sharing arrangement, albeit a little later than planned.
The Association extends its thanks to William Kaplan for assisting with this matter and ensuring the resolution. Mr. Kaplan remains seized should any other issues arise with implementing the new collective agreement.
With this matter now resolved, it is anticipated that CUASA and the University will soon be able to finalize and sign the 2024-2027 collective agreement, after which time the agreement will be made available on the parties’ respective websites. In the meantime, any members needing access to the agreement can contact the CUASA Office for a draft copy.
