Information for current OCDSB employees has been emailed to staff and can be found on the Staff Portal.
On April 24th, the central arbitration decision was released for OSSTF Education Worker groups. With the decision, the collective agreement for the period of September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2026 came into force.
The Arbitrator awarded wage increases to OSSTF Education workers as follows (the “Central Wage Increases”):
- Effective September 1, 2022: an additional $1.00 per hour;
- Effective September 1, 2023: an additional $1.00 per hour;
- Effective September 1, 2024: an additional $1.00 per hour; and
- Effective September 1, 2025: an additional $1.00 per hour.
The Arbitrator ordered that applicable retroactive payments be issued within 60 days of the release of the award. These payments for current and former OSSTF Education Workers will be issued on June 7, 2024, and will come in addition to applicable Bill 124 remedy payments.
Eligible Employee Groups
The following are the OSSTF Education Worker groups to which the Central Wage Increases will apply:
- OSSTF-PSSP, District 25 Professional Student Services Personnel Unit
- OSSTF-PSSU, District 25 Plant Support Staff Unit
- OSSTF-SSP, District 25 Student Support Professionals Bargaining Unit
- OSSTF-ESP, District 25 Educational Support Professionals Bargaining Unit
- OSSTF-PECCS, District 25 Professional Educators and Child Care Staff Bargaining Unit
At this time, arbitration processes for other bargaining units are currently underway. Further information respecting economic increases for the period of 2022-2026 for those groups will be provided after the decisions are released.
Please note that if you are looking for information respecting the Bill 124 remedy payments, visit this page.
Specific questions regarding individual payments or unique employee situations
Due to time constraints associated with processing these payments along with the Bill 124 payments, Payroll staff are unable to respond to individual inquiries at this time.
If you have questions about your payment after you have received it, you may direct them to [email protected]. Please note that questions will not be responded to prior to the scheduled payment date of June 7, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are additional questions regarding the OSSTF Education Worker payments. We will update these questions as necessary.
Do Ontario OSSTF Education Workers have a renewed Collective Agreement in place for the period of September 1, 2022 forward?
Yes. On April 24, 2024 an arbitrator released a decision with respect to the central terms and conditions of employment for OSSTF Education Workers (the “Central Arbitration Decision”). As all OCDSB OSSTF Education Workers had already ratified the local terms and conditions of their employment, their Collective Agreements came into force upon the release of the central arbitration decision.
I was an OSSTF or OC-ETFO Teacher or Occasional Teacher. Am I also entitled to central wage increases at the same time as my Bill 124 Remedy payment?
No. There is not a collective agreement in force for OSSTF Teachers and Occasional Teachers. There is not a collective agreement in force for Elementary Occasional Teachers. While OC-ETFO’s collective agreement is in force, the matter of wages remains outstanding.
Applicable wage increases for teacher groups for the 2022-2026 Collective Agreement will be determined at a later date by way of arbitration awards.
What does the Central Arbitration Decision mean for current and former OSSTF Education Workers?
The Central Arbitration Decision means that all OCDSB OSSTF Education Workers have a new Collective Agreement in force for the period of September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2026. As part of the new Collective Agreement, OSSTF Education Workers will receive the following wage increases (the “Central Wage Increases”):
Effective September 1, 2022: an additional $1.00 per hour;
Effective September 1, 2023: an additional $1.00 per hour;
Effective September 1, 2024: an additional $1.00 per hour; and
Effective September 1, 2025: an additional $1.00 per hour.
Who is eligible for the Central Wage Increases for the period of September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2026?
The Central Wage Increases apply to current and former OSSTF Education Workers employed during this time period, whether permanent, term or casual. For clarity, OSSTF Education Workers include the following bargaining units:
OSSTF-PSSP, District 25 Professional Student Services Personnel Unit
OSSTF-PSSU, District 25 Plant Support Staff Unit
OSSTF-SSP, District 25 Student Support Professionals Bargaining Unit OSSTF-ESP, District 25 Educational Support Professionals Bargaining Unit
OSSTF-PECCS, District 25 Professional Educators and Child Care Staff Bargaining Unit
When will eligible current and former OSSTF Education Workers receive their retroactive Central Wage Increases?
The Arbitrator ordered that the retroactive payments arising from the Central Wage Increases be paid within 60 days of the release of the Central Arbitration Decision. Current and former OSSTF Education Workers will receive these amounts on the Friday, June 7, 2024 pay date.
I understand that current and former OSSTF Education Workers will also be receiving a Bill 124 retroactive remedy payment on June 7, 2024. Will I be receiving both retroactive payments on the same pay date, if applicable?
Yes, you will receive any applicable Bill 124 Remedy Payment as well as any eligible retroactive payment arising from the Central Wage Increases on that pay date. Learn more about the Bill 124 Remedy Payment for former employees.
I was a member of PSSU or PSSP and was paid on one of the Skills Shortage Allowance Grids (the “SSA Grids”), which first came into effect on November 27 and 28, 2022 respectively. Am I also eligible for the Central Wage Increases for the period of time that I was paid on the SSA Grids?
Yes. The Central Wage Increases apply to the SSA grids for the period of time that you were paid on those grids.
As a former employee, what do I need to do to ensure that I receive the retroactive payment?
The payment will be automatically deposited to your bank account currently on file with the Employer. No further action is required as long as your banking information is current.
In the event that your banking information with the OCDSB is, or will no longer be, current on the date of your scheduled payment, it is imperative that you update the information without delay by May 17, 2024 by contacting [email protected]. Please also ensure that your address is up to date by using the link below:
Are retroactive payments arising from the Central Wage Increases subject to deductions?
Yes. All statutory and other required deductions will apply to the Central Wage Increases. The following deductions will also apply:
Income Tax;
Canada Pension Plan contributions (CPP);
Employment Insurance contributions (EI);
Pension contributions;
Union dues;
Union Levy (if applicable); and
Retroactive adjustments to Long Term Disability (LTD) premiums.
What if I am, or was, in receipt of Long Term Disability (“LTD”) between September 1, 2022 and the day that I left the OCDSB?
If you are, or were in receipt of LTD payments at any time from September 1, 2019, retroactive payments arising from the Central Wage Increases (for periods that you were in receipt of LTD), and information respecting your adjusted wage rate will be sent to the relevant LTD provider. The relevant LTD provider will process the increases on their end, and provide you with any applicable retroactive payment amounts.
Questions respecting retroactive LTD payments and adjustments should be directed to your LTD provider.
Are there circumstances that could reduce my total retroactive payment amount respecting the Central Wage Increases?
If any of the following scenarios occurred between September 1, 2022 to date, it may impact the calculation of the retroactive payment arising from the Central Wage Increases:
if you took a leave of absence without pay;
if you were on short term disability at 90% of your salary;
if you were on sick leave without pay; or
if you took any other unpaid days (listed on paystub as “days_not_paid”), such as unpaid vacation days and unpaid PD days.
Will additional deductions be sent to OMERS as a result of the Central Wage Increases?
Yes. If applicable, OMERS premiums will be deducted from retroactive payments respecting the Central Wage Increases, and applicable employer and employee contributions will be sent to OMERS.
Questions with respect to the recalculation of pensions, including timing, should be directed to OMERS.
Can I elect to have my retroactive payment arising from the Central Wage Increases paid directly to my RRSP?
No. The Employer cannot transfer your retroactive payment directly to your RRSP. You may, however, be able to work with your Financial institution to transfer your net pay amount, depending on your eligible RRSP room. Eligible tax refunds, if applicable, will be assessed when you file your 2024 personal tax return.
How will the retroactive payment be reflected on my T4 slip?
Retroactive payments arising from the Central Wage Increases will be reflected in box 14 on your 2024 T4 slip. No adjustments to previous tax years are required.
What happens to retroactive wage increases for deceased employees?
Retroactive wage increases for deceased employees will be issued to the estate of the deceased employee via manual cheque.
What if I have questions about how my retroactive payment was calculated after I receive it?
If you have questions about your payment after you have received it, you may direct them to [email protected]. Please note that questions will not be responded to prior to the scheduled payment date of June 7, 2024.
After June 7, 2024, you can expect that there still may be significant delays in response times.
As such, we encourage you to consider all of the following questions before reaching out with questions respecting your payment:
Did you take any time off without pay?
Were you on Short Term Disability at 90%?
Were you on LTD at any point between 2020 and 2024?
Have you changed positions since 2020?
Has your grid payment changed since 2020?
Did you change from full time to part time or were there any other changes to the status of your employment?
Were you paid out for vacation?
For payroll tax information you may find this Government of Canada website useful:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-businesses/payroll-deductions-online-calculator.html