Negotiations and Consequences

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

March 8th Edition

Happy International Women’s Day

The BCIT Faculty and Staff Association joins with women and their unions around the world in taking this day to acknowledge the continuing struggle for equity in the workplace and more broadly in society.  Over the past 50 years, and increasingly so, women have dominated the FSA presidency and staff roles, yet we have never hired a woman to be Executive Director.  Despite having a woman as president, men have had a near monopoly over senior leadership positions at BCIT.  Although numbers are changing, our technologies remain highly gendered.  Equality is not only about numbers. Members are noting to the FSA that hierarchies of authority, associated with male-dominated decision making models, seem to be growing at the expense of our collegial values. As Canada’s indigenous peoples lead us in recognizing how discrimination has shaped our culture and practices, we need to rededicate ourselves to inclusive and respectful practices to ensure that all interests are well represented at every level of institutional decision making.

Drugwatch

As we posted previously, the FSA is extremely concerned about the move by the Extended Health Benefits (EHB) provider, Manulife, to unilaterally limit our drug coverage.  We are continuing to pursue this issue with BCIT to try to prevent Manulife’s cost-saving limits from being applied to our coverage.  We have heard suggestions that some drug coverage may already have been curtailed, despite assurances that this program would not be implemented before April 1.  If you have had any unusual denials of your drug coverage, please send a note with that information to fsa@bcit.ca.

We are the 113%

That is now BCIT’s operating level compares to our budgeted student FTEs.  According to the budget report approved by the BCIT Board of Governors last week, we are running at 113% of capacity.  Some institutions in our sector are operating at less than 80% of capacity.  Other nuggets from the approved budget, which is essentially unchanged from the proposal presented to the community by VP Finance Lorcan O’Mellinn, include a $7.3M increase in projected revenue.  Some of that revenue will go to five new FSA positions, 13.6 Support Staff positions, and three new excluded positions.  Money has also been earmarked for an automated travel expense claim solution and other business systems improvements.  In the two years following the 2016-17 budget, BCIT is projecting deficits of $2-3M per year.

Course Pack Changes

One of the revenue targets included in BCIT’s 2016-17 budget is significant new income from the bookstore, largely through a new digital tech strategy being undertaken along the Education Support and Innovation office and ITS.  The Institute is planning a ‘culture shift’ away from the free distribution of course materials and toward charging for their paper and electronic distribution.  FSA members have certain ownership rights over the course materials that they develop unless they are compensated by BCIT for that work. We recommend that members discuss how course materials are being distributed with their departmental colleagues and managers and make sure that they are being fairly compensated for the materials that they retain ownership over.  If you think your course materials are being used to make money for BCIT without your agreement, please let the FSA know.

College Pension Plan Retirees

The Association of BC College Pension Plan Retirees (CPPR) is currently on a recruitment drive.  CPPR separated amicably from the BC Retired Teachers Association in mid 2014.  It offers advocacy and service specific to persons covered by the College Pension Plan (CPP).  Membership is voluntary, but dues can be paid by deduction from pension benefits.  Membership is also open to CPP members within five years of retirement.  Members who want a voice in how the pension is administered and evolves once they retire are encouraged to join.  Dues are $40 a year from July 1 to June 30 and discounted $3 a month if you join after July.

Canada Research Chair Nominations

Applicant Information forms for researchers interested in being BCIT’s fourth Canada Research Chair (CRC) are due by April 15.  The Institute Research Committee has yet to announce its process for selecting BCIT’s nominee.  The FSA has compiled recommendations about the process based on comments solicited from members.  We expect to deliver that to VP Academic Tom Roemer in mid-March.

School of Health Reconciliation Event

I was pleased to accept a courteous invitation from the School of Health to attend an event they organized with Aboriginal Student Services to host a talk by Shelley Joseph from Reconciliation Canada. Reconciliation Canada is a registered charity with federal financing to carry out its purpose as ‘an Indigenous-led organization that catalyzes meaningful relationships through values-based dialogue, leadership, and action.’  They provide a number of programs and initiatives to meant to build on the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released last year.  The Reconciliation Canada website also hosts toolkits that individuals can download and use in their own communities.  Part of Joseph’s message to the School of Health was that reconciliation requires us to step out of our hierarchical positions and treat one another as humans and on a personal level.  An important way to do that is by sharing our personal stories.