Collective bargaining underway at post-secondary institutions across B.C.
Collective bargaining between post-secondary education institutions and both faculty and operational staff unions is currently underway across British Columbia at both provincial and local levels.
These negotiations are being conducted under provincial guidelines and mandates set by the British Columbia government through of the Public Sector Employers’ Council (PSEC).
“It’s important to understand that complex negotiations like these can often take a significant amount of time, and it is understandable that this can sometimes be a frustrating process for everyone involved,” CNC director of communications and development, Randall Heidt said.
“The college remains hopeful that continued negotiations will result in agreements with both the faculty association and operational staff in the near future.”
At most institutions across the province, productive bargaining continues, with negotiators on both sides of the table working together to find solutions to issues that meet the needs of faculty while ensuring instructional and student services are protected.
“Productive discussions are also underway with college operational staff,” Heidt said.
“By working together, college employer and union representatives are building towards negotiated agreements.”
More than 70 per cent of university faculty across the province have already signed new agreements, including associations at the University of B.C., University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University, and the University of Northern B.C.
“I think it’s important to note that over the past five years, from 2006 to 2011, total student full-time equivalent enrolments at CNC have increased by 26 per cent and total provincial funding to the college as increased 10.5 per cent,” Heidt said.
