The Communiqué – Volume 48, No. 4. December 18, 2025.
In This Issue:
- “Institutional Impartiality Policy” Update – CUASA Files Complaint
- Collective Agreement Update – Dental Premiums
- CUPE 4600 Bargaining Update
- With thanks from CUASA’s Executive Director
- OCUFA Updates
- CAUT Updates
- Winter Break Office Hours
“Institutional Impartiality Policy” Update – CUASA Files Complaint
On December 16, CUASA served notice to the University that it is filing an Association complaint on the adoption of the “Institutional Impartiality Policy” approved by the University Board of Governors on December 2, 2025.
Under the terms of Article 28 of the Collective Agreement, a complaint is the first stage in the grievance process. An “Association” complaint/grievance (also known as a “policy” complaint/grievance) is “where a dispute arises directly between the Employer and the Association concerning the interpretation, application or alleged violation of the Collective Agreement”.
In the complaint filed, CUASA alleges that the “Institutional Impartiality Policy” violates a number of provisions of the Collective Agreement, including but not limited to Article 4, Article 6.3 and Article 10.1(d)(i).
While CUASA is restricted from sharing further details at this stage of the complaint process, additional details will be communicated as soon as is possible.
In the interim, CUASA reminds members that the “Institutional Impartiality Policy” must be interpreted and applied in a manner fully consistent with members’ established rights to academic freedom. Academic freedom is foundational to the University’s mission and essential to the pursuit and dissemination of truth for the public good. Nothing in this policy should limit or diminish these rights.
CUASA members retain the freedom to investigate, teach, publish, criticize, and engage in public or scholarly expression, so long as such activities are carried out responsibly and in accordance with their professional obligations. Institutional impartiality cannot and must not be interpreted as employee impartiality or neutrality, nor as a restriction on members’ intellectual, pedagogical, or expressive rights. Members also retain the right to express personal or professional views, including views that differ from or criticize the University’s position on any issue. Further, members should not feel compelled to modify their instructional approaches out of concern that this policy may be used punitively.
Should any members have concerns that this policy is being used adversely or punitively against them, please contact the CUASA Office immediately for individualized advice from one of our Grievance & Arbitration Officers.
Relevant Links
Collective Agreement Article 4, Article 6.3 and Article 10.1(d)(i)
CUASA Letter to President Tettey October 24th
CUASA presentation at the General Faculty Board November 27th
CUASA Communiqué November 28th
CUASA Letter to BOG, December 1st
Resources on Academic Freedom from CAUT can be found here.
Resources on Collegial Governance from CAUT can be found here.
Collective Agreement Update – Dental 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.
On December 10, the parties were able to come to an agreement with the help of Arbitrator William Kaplan. Under this new agreement, cost sharing for dental premiums will remain the same as the previous agreement (77% Carleton 23% members) until April 30th, 2027 from which point 100% of dental premiums will be assumed by the University.
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.
For more information on the dental premium dispute click here.
CUPE 4600 Bargaining Update
The Unit 2 Bargaining Team reached a Tentative Agreement with the University on Friday December 14th, 2025 thanks to the help of Paul Pooler, a Ministry of Labour-appointed conciliator. The ratification vote will begin on January 6th 2026. Congratulations from CUASA! For more information visit the CUPE 4600 website.
With thanks from CUASA’s Executive Director
Thanks to everyone who sent their congratulations on my successful completion of a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University! It was accomplished with much support and encouragement from CUASA. Jaye
OCUFA Updates
CUASA sends many thanks to members who signed the OCUFA Invest in Ontario’s Future: Fund Our Universities petition. It’s not too late to continue the education campaign from Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) Advocacy Day – download one of these posters and share them on your social media page or print them an put them on your office door!
OCUFA published a series of 4 posters that are very useful summaries of the causes and extent of the current financial crisis of Universities in Ontario. You are invited to use them.
CAUT Updates
CAUT Call for Nominations – Deadline February 1, 2026.
Bernice Schrank Award – The Bernice Schrank Award was created in 2013 to recognize outstanding contributions to the enforcement of academic staff workplace rights through grievance/arbitration. The nomination form, criteria and procedures for making a recommendation are available on the CAUT website.
Donald C. Savage Award – The Donald C. Savage Award was established in 1997 in honour of Donald C. Savage, Executive Director of CAUT from1972 to 1997, and was instituted to honour and to recognize outstanding achievements in the promotion of collective bargaining in Canadian universities and colleges. The nomination form, criteria and procedures for making a recommendation are available on the CAUT website.
Equity Award – The CAUT Equity Award was established in 2010 to recognize post-secondary academic staff and groups who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to challenging exclusionary behaviours and practices such as racism and homophobia and by so doing have made post-secondary education in Canada more inclusive. The nomination form, criteria and procedures for making a recommendation are available on the CAUT website.
The November/December CAUT Bulletin can be found here.
Winter Break Office Hours
Please note the CUASA Office is closed from noon Tuesday, December 23, until Monday, January 5, at 9:00am. No services will be provided during this period.
If you have an urgent matter, please contact CUASA Executive Director Jaye Horton at [email protected] and include * URGENT * in the subject line.
