Vote like the future of Post-secondary Education is at stake Because it is. Tomorrow, British Columbians go to the polls. For faculty and staff working in post-secondary education, this election comes at a critical moment. Unfortunately, you wouldn't know it from most of the political parties' platforms. Over the past two years, we've watched public post-secondary … [Read more...] about BC Provincial Election | October 24, 2026
All Confluence Blog Posts
Fair Employment Week 2026, October 19 – 23
How Much More Can We Afford to Lose? A message to CCFA Members Hi Members! It's Fair Employment Week, and normally, this is when I write to the Camosun College Board of Governors to remind them that fair employment matters. Over the years, the CCFA has raised concerns about our employer's treatment of our Term faculty, including late contracts, inequitable workloads, … [Read more...] about Fair Employment Week 2026, October 19 – 23
2026 Fall GM Highlights
Greetings to all our CCFA Members! Did you miss the Fall General Meeting on October 8, 2026? If so, you missed another successful hybrid meeting — but not to worry! Here are your highlights from the meeting, along with a few reminders for the months ahead. Meeting Business & Reports: Treasurer’s Report Amended 2026-2027 Budget Passed Our Union and AI – … [Read more...] about 2026 Fall GM Highlights
2026 Fall GM – Thursday, October 08, 3:00-4:30 PM – Hybrid
Attention CCFA Members, Please join us in person or on Zoom for the CCFA Fall General Meeting. This is an opportunity to come together, hear from each other, and be included in how your union operates. The more you participate, the stronger we are! Location: Y-227, Lansdowne Campus or via Zoom invites sent to your Outlook Calendar. Tentative agenda: This … [Read more...] about 2026 Fall GM – Thursday, October 08, 3:00-4:30 PM – Hybrid
Thanks for a Great Unions’ Welcome Fall BBQ!
A big thank you to everyone who came out to the Unions’ Welcome Fall BBQ on September 2 at the Interurban campus! We had a great turnout, with people from across the college’s campuses dropping in for a delicious burger and all the fixings from Culinary Arts. The food was fantastic (as always!), the Printshop did a beautiful job on our posters, and the Facilities crew had … [Read more...] about Thanks for a Great Unions’ Welcome Fall BBQ!
Putting the Union Back in Labour Day
Labour Day is about celebrating workers. Working people like YOU and ME! Labour Day is not just the day of summer before the fall semester starts. It's not just a long weekend to cram one last camping trip before September gets busy. It's not just about sales or picnics (even though you should totally go to the Victoria Labour Council Labour Day Picnic if you can!). Labour … [Read more...] about Putting the Union Back in Labour Day
There’s a new $1,500 Cycling Benefit coming, but you need to decline parking by Sept 30
The new contract is not inked yet, but this exciting new climate-friendly benefit will almost certainly be part of it. Read on to make sure you don't lock yourself out of it. There is a lot more to come with respect to our new Collective Agreement (see my latest Bargaining Bulletin for more). The crux of the matter is that we have reached tentative agreement on nearly all of … [Read more...] about There’s a new $1,500 Cycling Benefit coming, but you need to decline parking by Sept 30
Know Your Rights: Workload & You
Hi Members! Yesterday, the Union held our first drop-in infosession of the year, Workload & You and one question came up again and again: What should I do if I’m asked to take more students than the normal course maximum? It is a good question, and this year it matters more than ever. As we head into the semester, the CCFA is asking members to be very cautious … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: Workload & You
Bargaining Bulletin #13: A (Mostly) Golden Egg
In March, I built a chicken coop in my backyard and brought home six chicks from a breeder outside Nanaimo. (Names: Gregory Peck, Marty McFly, Dolly Carton, Orville Redenbacher, Frodo, and Egg.) On July 31—the final day of three long summer days of mediation with the Employer under the supervision of a Labour Board-appointed mediator—we got our first egg, a turquoise … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #13: A (Mostly) Golden Egg
Summer Hours 2026
Hi Members! Our office staff take their much-deserved holidays in the summer while many of you are also away on vacation. During July and August, when our office hours are reduced due to seasonal staffing availability, processing of PD claims may take up to 30 days. Please remember that all PD inquiries, including claims, should be sent to ac.nusomac@DP-AFCC. REMINDER: … [Read more...] about Summer Hours 2026
Bargaining Bulletin #12: Always Be Closing
Hi friends, I wish I had more to report, but since applying for mediation on May 25 (after a marathon midnight bargaining session), we've had a very irksome experience with the Employer. The Employer has made itself unavailable to bargain for June and nearly all of July, and has refused to budge--even though it knows that our committee is on vacation during July. It has … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #12: Always Be Closing
Wearing Union Thug shirts with PRIDE
..or the story of UNION ❤️HUGS at Camosun College Every Pride season, I'm reminded that our rights are not gifted by magnanimous leaders or nice administrators, and they are not guaranteed beyond the next government or collective agreement. Our rights are hard won, defended, expanded, and protected by people who are willing to stand together, even when doing so … [Read more...] about Wearing Union Thug shirts with PRIDE
Select Committee on Finance for the 2027 BC Budget – CCFA Written Submission
Advocating for Public Post-Secondary Education in British Columbia Through Public Investment in Community Education, Arts & Humanities, and Debt-Free Learning BC's Greatest Natural Resources are its People. Post-secondary education unlocks their potential. British Columbia’s future will not be secured by austerity, instability, or asking communities to do more with … [Read more...] about Select Committee on Finance for the 2027 BC Budget – CCFA Written Submission
Beta Testing Begins for the New PD Application Form
The CCFA has begun beta testing our new Professional Development (PD) application form and workflow system designed to modernize and simplify the PD process for faculty, Chairs, Deans, Directors, and the PD Committee. PD Applications and Funding Modernization Project - An Update For years, the PD process has relied heavily on email chains, manual tracking, multiple … [Read more...] about Beta Testing Begins for the New PD Application Form
Losing the Commuter Challenge
Spring GoByBike Week (GBBW) is the signature annual event of Capital Bike. This year’s iteration starts this coming Saturday, May 30 and runs until June 5. To kick off Camosun’s annual participation in GBBW, on May 13 I raced David Lacey (Heavy Mechanical Dept.) in Capital Bike’s annual Commuter Challenge. The idea of the challenge is to compare the speed of a simulated … [Read more...] about Losing the Commuter Challenge
Bargaining Bulletin #10: We could make this place beautiful
Sent on behalf of Michael Stewart, Chair, CCFA Contract Negotiating Committee: Check your email for my last bulletin on package bargaining. And follow the Open Bargaining discussion on our Discord. Hi friends, It's been a month. We have had six bargaining days since our AGM on April 30 (that's seventeen total). Both the Union and the Employer have each sent three … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #10: We could make this place beautiful
GET YOUR PD APPLICATION IN BEFORE THE SUMMER BREAK!
We only have 2 more meetings, and the deadline for the final meeting before we resume in September is NOON, THURSDAY JUNE 18!!! Please contact the CCFA office if you have any questions. ac.nusomac@DP-AFCC … [Read more...] about GET YOUR PD APPLICATION IN BEFORE THE SUMMER BREAK!
CCFA 2026 AGM Election Results & Highlights
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, April 30. We know this is an especially busy and demanding time, and we truly appreciate members taking the time to attend, connect, and stay informed. Congratulations to your newly elected CCFA Executives! We are happy to announce that the following nominees have been elected or acclaimed to … [Read more...] about CCFA 2026 AGM Election Results & Highlights
Earth Day Means Investing in Public Education
Each Earth Day, we are reminded that building a healthier planet depends on the choices we make today. We often think about renewable energy, conservation, and greener communities—but one of the most important investments in a sustainable future is public education. Education Powers Climate Action The environmental challenges facing our province and our world require … [Read more...] about Earth Day Means Investing in Public Education
Bargaining Bulletin #9: This time, we’re all at the table
We’re in it now. After six full days of bargaining under the oversight of the B.C. Labour Board, it’s been…a lot. Progress was slow at first, but we’ve now had a couple of frank, “pens down” conversations with the Employer about our priorities and expectations. We are moving into "package bargaining"—where nothing is agreed to in isolation, and every item is weighed against … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #9: This time, we’re all at the table
2026 AGM Notice
Hello Members, We hope you can join us for the Annual General Meeting! You should already have a meeting invite for our AGM in your Outlook calendars, on April 30 from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, including lunch. If you don’t, please contact us. Even if you don't plan to attend, please follow the invite for updates, official agenda, motions, and officer reports closer to the … [Read more...] about 2026 AGM Notice
Bargaining Bulletin #8: Student Feedback, Indigenous Representation, and Grieving without Fighting
If you missed my last bulletin about our first day back at the bargaining table, read it here. And follow the Open Bargaining discussion on our Discord. Hi friends, We've finished three days of bargaining and your Contract Negotiations Committee would like you to weigh in on some key issues at the table. We haven't yet reached the heavyweight portions of our package … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #8: Student Feedback, Indigenous Representation, and Grieving without Fighting
Bargaining Bulletin #7: A New Day
If you missed my last bargaining bulletin on the Bad Faith ruling at the LRB, read it here. Hi friends, Many thanks to the seven observers who came yesterday to our first day of bargaining since June 2025. As expected (and as directed by the Labour Board), the Employer finally tabled a response to our one-year rollover wage proposal of 3.6% that we tabled last … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #7: A New Day
FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee Meeting Report
Prepared with files from Marty Donatelli, CCFA representative to the FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee. Photo credit: "Array of Hope, Sept 2024" by gbryan CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 - Alan Batey Library and Learning Commons solar data (live feed) Public site for Enphase microinverters displaying live data from Camosun's Array of Hope solar installation. The … [Read more...] about FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee Meeting Report
Bargaining Bulletin #6 – We Won! (Kind of)
As I reported at the CCFA Winter General Meeting, our hearing at the B.C. Labour Board over the competing Bad Faith complaints that arose from our abbreviated negotiations in June 2025 took place at the end of February, with final arguments delivered on March 6. At the hearing, we explained to the Vice Chair that there is a fundamental principle at the heart of … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #6 – We Won! (Kind of)
2026 BOG & EdCo Election Results!
In the midst of all the competing crises we are facing, we can't allow ourselves to miss celebrating the bright moments, like when all our seats on Ed Co are filled! The Spring 2026 election process for faculty and student representation on Education Council and the Board of Governors is now complete. There were three faculty positions available for Education Council, and three … [Read more...] about 2026 BOG & EdCo Election Results!
2026 FPSE Disability Management and Rehab Committee (DMRC) Report – CCFA rep (local 12)
Hello again, friends and colleagues of the CCFA. Recently, I attended the provincial, in-person meetings for the Disability Management Rehabilitation Committee in Richmond, BC. One of my favourite parts of these meetings is meeting other members from across the province to collaborate on difficult cases and come together in solidarity to support institutions and … [Read more...] about 2026 FPSE Disability Management and Rehab Committee (DMRC) Report – CCFA rep (local 12)
2026 Winter GM Highlights
Couldn’t join us for the Winter General Meeting on February 12, 2026? Hi Members! Despite eduroam and the entire WiFi network being down at Lansdowne on Thursday, it was another successful hybrid General Meeting! But if you missed it, no problem! Here’s a recap of the key moments, plus a few reminders to keep on your radar. We've also received a few questions from members … [Read more...] about 2026 Winter GM Highlights
Do I need a doctor’s note?
Check out The CCFA's Guide to Faculty Leaves for more information on sick days and short-term disability leaves. The short answer is: probably not. B.C.'s Employment Standard Act (ESA) was recently updated to install a change long-clamoured for by the Health Sector: an Employer cannot request a note from a health care practitioner to verify an Employee's first two … [Read more...] about Do I need a doctor’s note?
Being Together as One
I don't know about the rest of you, but a lot of the time it feels like I'm just running on fumes. I have moments when things feel so heavy, when the tough news keeps piling up, and my to-do list has gotten out of control. This week was one of those tough times, and it is in times like these that being together really matters. Sometimes we need a good cheer and festivities, … [Read more...] about Being Together as One
