The most recent round of bargaining between the PSAC Local representing Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates and the University of Saskatchewan included a salary settlement that included retroactive pay. The term of the new collective agreement is from November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2028, and new salary ranges for Post Doctoral Fellows and Research Associates are available online.

While these university employees are entitled to their negotiated salary increases, the source of funds covering these increases was unclear and faculty were advised it is their responsibility. Members reached out to the Association with questions and concerns, which we raised with the Employer at JCMA.

Through our discussions at JCMA we learned that there is no central pool of funds for retroactive pay. Negotiated increases are expected to come from research funding or from college contingency funds. Faculty who have depleted funding earmarked to pay Post Docs and/or Research Associates should contact their college. If you have been told that you must pay for this negotiated increase out-of-pocket, please contact the Association immediately.

In addition, the Employer advises that grant application budgets should include inflationary increases in anticipation of unexpected costs.