MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

- Between -

THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS ON BEHALF OF TRENT UNIVERSITY
(hereinafter referred to as "the University")

- And -

THE TRENT UNIVERSITY FACULTY ASSOCIATION
(hereinafter referred to as "the Association")

RE: GRIEVANCE #96-04

WHEREAS the Association and the University are desirous of settling the Association's grievance filed on behalf of all TUFA members alleging "change in insurance coverage which reduces members' benefit entitlements";

AND WHEREAS the Association claims that upon retirement its members are entitled, under Article VIII.4.3 of the Collective Agreement effective July 1, 1987, onwards and its successor clauses, to benefit levels equivalent to the insurance coverage that was provided prior to the changeover from Blue Cross to SunLife on September 1, 1988, or thereabouts, including, specifically, the "pay direct" conversion privilege;

AND WHEREAS the University has advised the Association that benefits equivalent to the conversion privilege provided to members upon retirement prior to the change of insurance carriers in 1988 continue to be available without medical evidence or questionnaire to Association members upon their retirement through Liberty Health (NOTE: Liberty Health requires a medical questionnaire for semi-private hospital and for prescription drugs), Municipal Retirees' Organization of Ontario, and the Retired Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP);

IT IS THEREFORE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. THAT the University will provide to the Association copies of the materials offered to members upon retirement;

    

2. THAT the University will ensure that these materials, including the list of insurance carriers, the plans they offer, and contact information, are up to date;

    

3. THAT the University will provide Association members with the information and reasonable support needed to apply for coverage from any of the listed insurance carriers;

    

4. THAT the University will advise Association members of these options when providing them with information about their pension and other benefits as they approach retirement;

    

5. THAT the Association withdraws Grievance #96-04, dated October 21, 1996, and agrees not to refile the grievance, it being understood that this does not preclude the Association from bringing a grievance in the event this Memorandum of Agreement is not complied with; and

    

6. THAT the University and the Association agree to meet and consult as to how to maintain benefits equivalent to the conversion privilege in the event that

    

   1. none of the insurance carriers referred to in the third recital paragraph above (or others that may be added to the list from time to time) provide benefit coverage without a medical questionnaire, or

       

   2. all of the insurance carriers referred to in the third recital paragraph above, or any others which may be added to the list from time to time, significantly change the nature or level of benefit coverage.

       

   Further, it is understood that the issue of benefit conversion for retirees may be raised in collective bargaining negotiations.

    

Dated at the City of Peterborough this 18th day of May, 1999.

On behalf of the Association:	On behalf of the University:
E.A. Maxwell, President	A.S. Young, Vice-President (Administration)