KFA Retro and New Collective Agreement Update

I want to take this opportunity to provide you with the current status of the implementation of our new KPU-KFA Collective Agreement, April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2025.

At our last KFA meeting, I outlined to our membership the retro-payments and improvements to health benefits that we are entitled to in our new collective agreement.

Here is some additional information on some of these items.

Faculty Raises/Retroactive Payments

As of last Friday, the Employer anticipates that faculty salary increases will be implemented by for the February 9th, 2024 pay cheque. The Employer also anticipates having the retroactive payments made to all employees no later than May 31, 2024. The KFA Table Officers are discussing the Employer’s position on this implementation schedule and we will be engaging with the Employer to shorten this period.

Educational Leave Coverage Change

The Employer anticipates that the Educational Leave amounts will be updated to 100% by February 9th, 2024. These payments are retroactive to September 1, 2023, so if your Education Leave commenced after September 1, 2023, you should receive a retroactive lift to 100% for your leave.

Personal PD Allotment Change

Effective January 5, 2024: Personal PD allotment has been changed from $100/year to $250/year.

• This Fund rolls over at the end of each fiscal year (March 31st).
• If you already claimed $100 for 2023/24 Fiscal Year, you can submit receipt(s) for the difference ($150). These receipts will have to be dated after the effective date.
• KPU Expense Form needs to be filled out for these funds, as per the usual process.

Implementation of Health Benefits Improvements

• Effective September 1, 2023: Delisted Services of $2000/person per year for the following practitioners: chiropractor, osteopath, podiatrist/chiropodist, massage therapist, naturopath, speech therapist, physiotherapist, acupuncturist, and dietician.
  • Amount resets at the end of each calendar year.
  • Manulife should have the new changes updated by February 9th, 2024.
  • If you have previously submitted claims incurred after the effective date, or submit claims between now and the date Manulife’s systems are updated, those claims will be (or have already been) adjudicated based on the terms of the prior collective agreement. You should be able to obtain higher benefits for this time period without resubmitting the receipts. For any problems, please contact KPU HR Benefits.
  • Effective September 1, 2023: Mental Health Services of $2000/person per year for the following practitioners: clinical counsellor, social worker, psychotherapist, and psychologist.
    • Amount resets at the end of each calendar year.Manulife should have the new changes updated by February 9th, 2024.
    • If you have previously submitted claims incurred after the effective date, or submit claims between now and the date Manulife’s systems are updated, those claims will be (or have already been) adjudicated based on the terms of the prior collective agreement. You should be able to obtain higher benefits for this time period without resubmitting the receipts. For any problems, please contact KPU HR Benefits.
    • Effective April 1, 2023: Health Spending Account: $225/person per year.
      • Used to top-up extended health and dental expenditures over and above the category maximum.
      • Credits can be banked for one calendar year for a maximum allotment of $450.
      • Amount resets at the end of each fiscal year (March 31st).
      • Effective January 1, 2024: Employee Wellness Fund: $500 per regular faculty member.
        • Taxable Benefit.
        • One-time only.
        • Eligible expenses are described in the New 2022-2025 Collective Agreement.
        • KPU recommends that you hold claims until KPU provides a confirmation via Today@KPU.
        • Employees are required to submit eligible receipts incurred between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
        • Effective January 5, 2024: Eye examinations maximum increased to $125.
          • Amount resets at the end of each calendar year
          • Manulife should have the new changes updated by February 9th, 2024.
          • If you submit claims between the effective date and the date Manulife’s systems are updated, those claims will be (or have already been) adjudicated based on the terms of the prior collective agreement. You should be able to obtain higher benefits for this time period without resubmitting the receipts. For any problems, please contact KPU HR Benefits

          If you have Coordination of Benefits with other plans, you should contact Manulife for next steps at 1-800-575-2200.

          Please find attached a PDF graphic that helps explain these changes.

          The New Collective Agreement is being prepared

          KPU and KFA are currently working on revising the 2022-2025 KPU/KFA Collective Agreement to include all negotiated changes. Once the copy is available, we will upload it to our website.

          In the next few weeks, the KFA will also be putting out communication on more specifics of the new collective agreement.

          KFA Vice-President Negotiations