The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) recently released audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013. The UTSU is the second-largest student union in Canada, by membership. During the year, the UTSU ran a deficit of $52,404. This compares to a surplus of $152,625 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012.
FILE PHOTO: CAROLYN LEVETT/THE VARSITY
The UTSU’s largest revenue stream for the year was $9,661,890 in health and dental plan fees. The fees, which are collected from UTSU members at the beginning of the year, are spent on health and dental plan disbursements. The plans are underwritten by Green Shield Canada, a national not-for-profit health benefits provider.
Spending on clubs and other subsidies had the largest increase of any expense category. Expenditures on clubs and other subsidies rose $93,040 — from $118,774 in 2012 to $211,814 in 2013. When asked for comment, UTSU president Munib Sajjad was not willing to specify where the extra funds came from, only stating that: “Clubs funding was increased all around last year. I encourage you to take a look at the minutes from last year. Just under 200 clubs are funded.”
Spending on office and general expenses, orientation expenses, ticket purchases, election and referendum expenses, campaigns expenses, meetings expenses, and equipment expenses also rose.
Spending on salaries, wages and other benefits decreased by $66,905, from $737,108 in 2012 to $670,203 in 2013. Sajjad said: “approximately 150 employees as enshrined by the Employment Standards Act are respected.” The union employs nine full-time unionized staff. Spending on Metropass, bank, financing, and interest charges; the book exchange; and the TTC program also decreased.
Specifics on wages, salaries and benefits for employees of the UTSU are not publicly available. Sajjad did not answer questions on why the UTSU does not release staff salaries and benefits, or what the average salary and benefits received are.
In comparison, according to documents released by the Continuing Education Students’ Association of Ryerson (CESAR), which is in a labour dispute with its two full-time unionized staff, employees at CESAR enjoy a significant range of benefits and salary increases. According to the association’s website, one of the staff members has received a 31 per cent wage increase over three years, and as of 2010 was paid $51,766.43.
Staff who have worked at the union for more than three years receive 75 paid days off per year. All staff receive $300 for prescription eye care every two years, and 100 per cent coverage of pharmaceuticals. Employees at CESAR belong to CUPE Local 1281, the same chartered local union as UTSU employees. Sajjad did not address questions as to whether UTSU staff receive similar benefits.
The audited financial statements will be considered at UTSU’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, November 27.
