Public-sector settlements and UVic updates on FA bargaining
With the beginning of the fall term, we’d like to provide you with an overview of the BC Provincial bargaining picture and links to our own bargaining updates that you may have missed.
As you may be aware, the Province has an Economic Stability Mandate that was introduced early this year and allows all public-sector employers to negotiate longer-term agreements within a fixed fiscal envelope. The mandate provides a framework to allow employees to participate in economic growth through the Economic Stability Dividend. The dividend is paid according to a formula if GDP growth exceeds the economic forecast. Read more.
To date, about half of all unionized BC public-sector employees have concluded their negotiations under the mandate. This includes a tentative five-year agreement between the Professional Employees Association (PEA) and the University of Victoria. The PEA represents about 900 administrative and academic professionals at the university. The PEA agreement is now subject to ratification by both parties over the coming weeks.
Here's an overview of the public-sector bargaining (pdf), with links to a few of the most recent agreements:
- BCGEU Faculty Members (pdf)
- BCGEU direct government employees (pdf)
- BC Hydro, union ratify five-year agreement
Here are some quick links to the summer term UVic bargaining updates:
- Information about PSEC (Public Sector Employers Council) and its relevance to bargaining for all unions at UVic
- Have you thought about the role of a union in a collegial environment? Check this posting for a discussion
- The announcement about the start of bargaining with the Faculty Association and the administration's opening statement (pdf)
- The university has also created a bargaining website that's set up for all UVic employee groups, including the Faculty Association, where you can find useful information on other issues
We will continue to provide information over the fall term on the bargaining process and other relevant topics.