Q&A

On November 7, 2019, Bill 124 was enacted. This legislation limited compensation increases to one percent for unionized and non-unionized public sector employees, including teachers and other school board employees.
On February 14, 2024, the Ministry of Education issued a memo that provided information regarding the Memoranda of Settlement reached between various education sector unions and the Crown concerning the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019 (Bill 124), which had previously limited public sector salary increases to 1% per annum.
This memo outlined remedies in the form of retroactive compensation for those employee groups who were included in the Memoranda of Settlement.

Q&A on the Bill 124 Remedy payment. 

These FAQs will be updated periodically as new information becomes available.

Q1: Who is eligible for retroactive payments?

A: Eligible employees are those employed during the 2019-20 to 2021-22 school years, including those with employment during the 2022-23 school year and beyond, as the retroactive increases impact the ongoing salary grids.

• CUPE 2331 and 2331-02

•  CUPE 1571

• CUPE 5476

• OSSTF District 16 

➢ What about other employee groups (e.g. OECTA, Principals, Vice-Principals, etc.)?

A: According to the current direction provided by the Ministry of Education, Bill 124 retroactive payments only apply to the above-referenced groups at this time. Further information regarding other employee groups eligible for Bill 124 payment will be included in the future once these groups have ratified their respective agreements. If you still have questions, please contact OECTAbill124questions@ycdsb.ca

➢ What about non-unionized staff?

A: Non-unionized staff groups such as ASG (excluding supervisory officers and directors) will be eligible for Bill 124 retroactive payments. This payment will be processed at a later date.

Q2: What are the details of the retroactive payments?

A: The retroactive payments include across-the-board (ATB) compensation increases for specific periods:
• 0.75% on September 1, 2019 (in addition to the original 1% increase);
• another 0.75% on September 1, 2020 (in addition to the original 1% increase); and
• another 2.75% on September 1, 2021 (in addition to the original 1% increase)


Q3: When will the retroactive payments be paid to impacted employees?

A: For those groups identified in Q1, school boards are required to calculate the retroactive amounts for eligible employees and provide retroactive payment for the 2019-2020, 2020-2021,2021-2022, 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years along with the applicable grid adjustments by June 8, 2024.

Q4: Will I receive this retroactive payment at the same time as my regular pay?

A: Yes. The retroactive payment will be processed on the pay date with regular pay. 

Q5: What types of earnings are included in the retroactive payment calculation?

A: All earnings types that received the 1% increase in the 2019-2022 contracts (e.g. overtime, shift premiums and some types of allowances) will be eligible for retroactive compensation.

➢ What types of earnings are not included in the retroactive payment calculation?

A: Earnings types that did not receive the 1% increase in 2019-2022 contracts (e.g. some types of degree allowances) will not be eligible for retroactive compensation.

Q6: What do I need to do to ensure that I receive the retroactive payment?

A: The payment will be automatically deposited into your account using the current banking information on file. No further action is required.

Q7: I am no longer employed by the Board and have changed my bank account. How will my retroactive payment be deposited?

A: Please, make sure to send your updated contact and banking information to Bill124questions@ycdsb.ca. 

Q8: How will the retroactive payments be reflected on my T4 slip?

A: Retroactive payments will be reflected on your 2024 T4 slip and do not require adjustments to the previous T4 slips from prior years

Q9: What happens to retroactive payments for an employee who is now deceased?

A: Retroactive payments for an employee, who is now deceased, will be made to the estate of the deceased employee. This ensures that any outstanding payments owed to the employee are properly disbursed according to legal and administrative procedures.

➢ If the deceased employee's information is already on file, do I need to take any action?

A: If the deceased employee's information is already on file with the school board, no further action is required. The retroactive payments will be processed and disbursed to the estate of the deceased employee based on the existing records.

➢ What should I do if the information for the deceased employee needs to be provided or updated?

A: If the information for the deceased employee needs to be provided or updated, you will need to contact Bill124questions@ycdsb.ca. Guidance will be provided on the necessary steps to submit the required information and ensure that the retroactive payments are correctly processed and disbursed to the estate of the deceased employee.

Q10: What happens if, during the Bill 124 period, I changed positions, changed FTE, was not employed for the full period, or became employed by another Board between 2019-2024?

A: If, during the period 2019-2024, you changed positions, changed FTE, were not employed for the full period, or became employed with another Board, your retroactive payments will be pro-rated based on your actual period of employment and Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) status in the above-referenced employee groups.
If you worked at multiple school boards during the applicable Bill 124 period, each school board is responsible for processing the retroactive payment related to the period and FTE, for which you worked for them.

Q11: Is the retroactive pay pensionable?

A: Yes, the retroactive pay is pensionable. This means that the retroactive payments will be considered as part of your pensionable earnings, and contributions will be made to your pension plan based on these payments.

Q12: Will other statutory deductions, such as taxes and employment insurance, apply to the retroactive pay?

A: Yes, all required statutory deductions, including taxes, employment insurance, and other applicable deductions, will be taken from the retroactive pay. Your retroactive payments will be subject to the same statutory deductions as your regular salary or wages to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Q13: Whom can I contact if I have a question about the rates displayed on my Pay Statment (I do not see new rates)?

A: Please make sure to direct your questions to human.resource.dept@ycdsb.ca.

Q14: Whom should I contact if I have further questions?

A: If you have any further questions about the implementation of the Memoranda of Settlement, please review the Bill 124 Website for updated information or submit an email to: Bill124questions@ycdsb.ca.

Q15: What my pay statement will look like?

A: Please check the video Pay Statement Video to see what the pay statement will look like for hourly paid employees (CUPE).  If a discrepancy of hours is noticed, please make sure to check if specific hours are reported under different earning types.  Any unpaid leave or absence will affect the hours paid and displayed.  

The salary paid employees will see only on retroactive amount for salary (OSSTF/PSSP).

Q16: Whom should I contact if I would like to clarify the hours I have worked (hours are missing)?

A: Please make sure to direct your questions to human.resource.dept@ycdsb.ca.

Q17: Will the Salary Top-up Payment be adjusted? When do I receive it?

A: Yes, the salary Top-up Payments will be recalculated for eligible individuals at a later date.

Q18: What about my LTD benefit payments?

A: Please visit the Bill 124 and LTD benefit payments help at Update on Bill 124 and LTD benefit payments | OTIP RAEO 

Q19: Whom can I contact if I have specific questions about how my retroactive payments were calculated?

A: Once you have received your retroactive payment, please review your pay stub statement which can
be found on the MyPortal. If, after reviewing your statement, you still have specific questions about how your retroactive payments were calculated, you can direct your inquiries in writing to Bill124questions@ycdsb.ca.

Please note that response times will vary based on the volume of inquiries received.