Negotiations and Consequences

This is one in a 2016 series from the desk of the FSA Executive Director, Paul Reniers.

February 24th Edition

College Pension Plan Rate Change

The College Pension Plan maintains an Income Adjustment Fund to provide some measure of protection against inflation. Although the fund doesn’t match the Consumer Price Index, increasing pension rates is still an expensive proposition. The Plan came up with a formula a couple of years ago that effectively allocated a portion of every negotiated wage increase to the IAA. When Instructor wages go up, a little bit more goes to the IAA so pension payments can be adjusted upward to offset the impact of inflation on retirees. Because of the pay increases negotiated in the current collective agreement, the College Pension Plan contribution rates for employers and employees will also go up effective April 1. An explanation of change can be found on the College Pension Plan web site.

Thompson Rivers University FA Settles Agreement, Ends Job Action

Bargaining at TRU came to an unusual end this month. After the parties failed to reach agreement through mediation, the mediator issued an independent report and asked both the union and the employer to vote on it. Both sides ratified the proposal as a settlement agreement, with union members voting 91% in favor. Very few details of the settlement have been released but it appears that the mediator identified issues that the parties should continue to discuss between now and the next round of bargaining in 2019. In some respects, that echoes the deal we reached regarding applied research work. The differences are that we settled most other issues at bargaining and we have agreement on a much shorter timeline to address the applied research issues.

Consultation grievance settled

The FSA grievance regarding efforts by BCIT International to sidestep an Institute committee assessing English language requirements came to a successful conclusion. The parties reached an agreement recognizing an Academic Advisory Committee on English language requirements for admission. The committee, with equal representation from the employer and the FSA, will report to the Registrar on EAL admissions issues for both foreign and domestic students in technology programs. The first task of the committee will be to review the proposed admissions agreements with two private colleges that BCIT International was trying to push through. Program Heads Andrea Matthews from Communications and Michael Currie from Building will represent the FSA on the committee.

CAUT Calls for Reinvestment in Research and Education

In a briefing note in advance of the federal budget, the Canadian Association of University Teachers has made specific recommendations on how the government can contribute to post-secondary education. The recommendations have two themes: boosting scientific research and increasing access to post-secondary education. The document also demonstrates how federal grant funding for research has declined steadily over the last ten years when measured in constant dollars.

FPSE Comments on Provincial Budget

The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC released its analysis of the recent provincial budget. President George Davison notes the disconnect between policy initiatives that recognize the need for post-secondary education and a budget that entrenches cuts made previously despite showing an operating surplus.

Private Member’s Bill Highlights Interference With Academic Governance

BC Green MLA Andrew Weaver has put forward a bill that would require the province to return some authority over institutional governance to the major universities. The bill is a response to the controversy over the appointment of former Conservative MP James Moore as Chancellor of UNBC and allegations of interference with the leadership of UBC by BC Liberal insiders appointed by the government to the Board. The proposal does not address the significant constraints imposed over the last 15 years by the province on governance at the colleges and institutes. As Weaver leads a party with one member in the legislature, his bill has little likelihood of becoming law.