Greetings Members! You should already have a "save the date" meeting invite for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) invitation your Outlook calendars, now May 22 from 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM, including lunch. Contact us, if you don't! After our Winter General Meeting, members noted that our meeting had been scheduled in conflict with commencement! We elected to reschedule the AGM … [Read more...] about 2024 CCFA AGM Notice
About Your Union
If not YOU, then WHO?
Volunteer with the Union? Sheesh…I dunno… Submitted by Pei Mei Chia Some people swear by their unions while others swear at them. Whichever way you choose, I can tell you firsthand that our CCFA union is wonderful! I’m not here to convince you though I’m here to give you a brief insight into my first-year experience on the exec with an upfront look at the inner … [Read more...] about If not YOU, then WHO?
Non-Regular Faculty Rep Report
Recently your Non-Regular Member at Large and Non-Regular Faculty Committee FPSE representative, Kendal Adam, travelled to Vancouver to attend the Federation of Post Secondary Education, Non-Regular Faculty Committee meeting. The Non-Regular Faculty Committee gathers representatives from the nineteen member Locals to summit on issues shared by all non-regular, term, and … [Read more...] about Non-Regular Faculty Rep Report
2024 Winter GM – Highlights
Greetings to all our Siblings & Relations! Did you miss the Winter General Meeting on March 7, 2024? We wish that everyone could be there, but know that it isn't possible so here are the highlights. Our next meeting will be the Annual General Meeting & due to a scheduling conflict will be rescheduled so please watch your college email account for an update to the … [Read more...] about 2024 Winter GM – Highlights
FPSE – HRISC Speakers Tour 2024
2024 FPSE Human Rights and International Solidarity Speakers Tour: Making a Place for Dialogue in Times of Conflict Tuesday, March 26, 20241:00 p.m. PT on Zoom Advocating for human rights has become a contentious issue on many university and college campuses across Canada and worldwide, yet part of the academic mission is to foster an environment conducive to inquiry and … [Read more...] about FPSE – HRISC Speakers Tour 2024
Know Your Rights: New LOA XX Revising & Rescinding Term Appointments
When the college cancels offerings or fails to offer diverse learning content, particularly in Arts & Science, there can be a lot of negative effects: Sure, there's a ton of uncertainty on the horizon - partly due to the recent changes in International Student Visas. However, as we've all read in CamNews and has been reported to the Board of Governors by the President … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: New LOA XX Revising & Rescinding Term Appointments
Connecting Camosun Women and All Women on International Women’s Day, 2024
This year marks my first International Women’s Day as the Co-Chair of the CCFA-sponsored Women & Gender Equity Committee (WGEC). I have had the immense pleasure and honour of working together with my Co-Chair Courtney Neidig, and in collaboration with committee members, the Camosun Library, the Camosun College Student Society (CCSS), and the Office of Student Support (OSS), … [Read more...] about Connecting Camosun Women and All Women on International Women’s Day, 2024
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024
Join us for the “Connecting Camosun Women” Tea & Chat Panel Discussion - Celebrating International Women’s Day, 2024 You Are Invited Join us in person at Lansdowne in the Sherri Bell Hall in the Wilna Thomas Building to a “Connecting Camosun Women” Tea & Chat event in celebration of International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 7th. Doors open at 11:45 and … [Read more...] about Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024
International Solidarity Fund
The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators is accepting requests to access funding from the 2024 International Solidarity Fund (ISF) until Monday, February 26, 2024. You may access the ISF Application Form other ISF information on the FPSE website. The ISF is designed to support long-term, ongoing projects that build partnerships between our Federation and people in the … [Read more...] about International Solidarity Fund
Faculty Feature: Something’s missing.
Submitted by: Morgan Myers It’s fair, in our Camosun College internal and external communications, a want to celebrate the happenings for students and staff. It’s fair to shine a lens on the many bright spots we, the students and staff at Camosun College, are engaged in. What’s unfair is the failure to make aware the gift of February as taking up space in our collective … [Read more...] about Faculty Feature: Something’s missing.
CCFA Endorses the FPSE Call for the Immediate Resignation of the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
The Camosun College Faculty Association endorses the following FPSE statement and actions. The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE) joined today with our national partners, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), in writing to Premier David Eby to call for the immediate resignation of Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education … [Read more...] about CCFA Endorses the FPSE Call for the Immediate Resignation of the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Know Your Rights: Scheduled Development Time
Hi Continuing Faculty Members! This is by no means the "official" version of this clause. But until we do have one, it seemed wise to publish a clean version for readability since Scheduled Development Intents are due Feb 1! Remember that once you've created your Intent in Faculty Connect, you'll have to wait for your Chair AND Dean or Director to approve it before you … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: Scheduled Development Time
Know Your Rights: Emergency Absences
Did you get snowed in? A message from your stewards on the Contract Management Committee: If you had to miss either Wednesday or Thursday morning last week, when the college was open for business, because of inclement weather, here are your choices regarding the missed time (either a half day or a whole day, depending on whether you missed one or both mornings): If … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: Emergency Absences
Know Your Rights: Faculty Appraisal Update
We recently held three Know Your Rights: Faculty Appraisal Infosessions. While these were attended by over 100 members, we know that not everyone who wanted to, was able to attend. Here's a review of what we covered and what we learned from the members who attended! This is an update of our original Know Your Rights: Appraisal post and review Clause 28 of the CCFA Local … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: Faculty Appraisal Update
Know Your Rights: Faculty Hiring Panels
How is Hiring done in your Department? I've heard about quite a few different processes being used and unfortunately, that's a problem because there's just one, acceptable BARGAINED process allowed. From our most recent Memorandum of Settlement which will eventually become our 2022-2025 Collective Agreement. Faculty Hiring Panels, as outlined in the Camosun-CCFA … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: Faculty Hiring Panels
Call for Nominations for a FPSE College Pension Plan Trustee
This notice is a call for nominations for a Federation of Post Secondary Educators (FPSE) College Pension Plan trustee. Please email any faculty nominations to Exec for review by noon on Wednesday, February 9, 2024. The Opportunity The BC College Pension Fund, as of its most recent annual report, has $6.6 billion in assets*. The Fund represents roughly 2.8% of BC’s … [Read more...] about Call for Nominations for a FPSE College Pension Plan Trustee
If you didn’t receive retro pay, write your Union!
Happy New Year! Most Camosun College faculty members should have received their long-awaited (and much fought-for) retro pay from the negotiated wage increases in the 2022-2025 Collective Agreement on December 15. This includes continuing members employed at any point from ratification on Sept 21 to the date of the first issue of the pay increase on October 12 and any term … [Read more...] about If you didn’t receive retro pay, write your Union!
My Favorite Things – Union Style
When Rogers and Hammerstein wrote the beloved stage musical, the Sound of Music which debuted in 1959, they never imagined the song "My Favorite Things" would someday become closely associated with the winter holidays as a popular secular carol. It was Julie Andrews, performing "My Favorite Things" in 1961 on the Gary Moore TV Holiday Special that launched this song into the … [Read more...] about My Favorite Things – Union Style
Inadequate Parking Grievance – Updates
Hopefully you've all read our previous blog post on gathering more data about inadequate parking at Interurban Campus. And, for all of you who've sent us your data, reports, photos, and more - we want to thank you & ask that you keep them coming! We also want to know what happened when you disputed a ticket! The reason why we want you to keep sending us this information … [Read more...] about Inadequate Parking Grievance – Updates
Know Your Rights – Prep Time
7.06 Preparation Time for New Employees We can all remember how difficult it was for us during that very first term of teaching as a brand new new faculty member at the college. There's so much to learn! Where are your classrooms going to be, where should you park, what equipment will you need, and where is your workstation? You meet dozens of new folx, you get access to … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights – Prep Time
CCFA Endorses the FPSE Statement on the Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East
The Camosun College Faculty Association endorses the December 4th "Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of British Columbia (FPSE) statement on the war in Gaza." The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of British Columbia (FPSE) is deeply saddened by the events of the past few weeks, and we demand a ceasefire. The escalating conflict across the Middle East region in … [Read more...] about CCFA Endorses the FPSE Statement on the Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 6th, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women falls during the 16 Days of Activism, and this powerful day is observed to remember the women who were murdered during the tragic mass shooting at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989. To honour the 14 women who were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989, across Canada, we … [Read more...] about National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
On December 3, we celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), an annual observance proclaimed in 1992 by the UN. Considering persons with disabilities through an intersectional lens, A.H. Monjurul Kabir, the UN Coordination Adviser on Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion, has argued that “disability, gender and discrimination … [Read more...] about International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Informal Request Denied?
It's a tale as old as time, "I asked my dean/director and they told me NO, what can the Union do about it?" Well... honestly? Not much... until something's been put in writing, an email, a text, a fax (does anyone actually have one of those anymore?) or... etched on a stone tablet, spray painted on the side of a building... you get the idea. (Hey, I'm Gen X we love … [Read more...] about Informal Request Denied?
Working Together to End the Violence.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence 2023: Listen. Learn. Act. Each year, in November and December, Camosun faculty, staff, and students work together on campus and in the community to raise awareness to fight the social stigma affecting all women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and especially trans people, in order to end the systemic discrimination and gender-based … [Read more...] about Working Together to End the Violence.
New “Revised Medical Accommodations Process”
We don't often get to brag, but from time to time, the Union wins a major victory for all faculty members. Such was the case with our recent Mediated Settlement of the fact that our Employer had failed to evaluate and administer employee requests for medical accommodations in a fair and timely manner. The Union grieved the Employer's use of Manulife's Abilities Management … [Read more...] about New “Revised Medical Accommodations Process”
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) – November 20
Dear friends, Each year, on November 20th, we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) to honour, remember, and mourn the lives of transgender, two-spirit, and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence. On this day, we recognize the suffering of all people in the transgender community who experience discrimination and hatred simply because of … [Read more...] about Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) – November 20
Inadequate Parking Grievance – More Data Needed!
Hello Members! Have you been circling the Interurban Campus parking lots endlessly trying to find a spot? Have you even gotten a ticket when you just have to park somewhere, anywhere in order to make it to teach your class on time? Well, you aren't alone! In fact, there's tons of us having the same issues. But our employer continues to deny that there's a problem and … [Read more...] about Inadequate Parking Grievance – More Data Needed!
Let’s Work Together to Do Better!
Please take a few moments to complete the voluntary and confidential FPSE Equity Survey. This is your opportunity to inform the advocacy work of our Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of British Columbia (FPSE). Your input will help guide next steps on better supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at member locals across the province, making … [Read more...] about Let’s Work Together to Do Better!
Fair Employment Week 2023
MAKING IT FAIR FOR CONTRACT ACADEMIC STAFF October 16-20 is Fair Employment Week, the Canadian Association of University Teachers' annual campaign to raise awareness about precarious employment on campuses and support local organizing to improve the working conditions of contract academic staff. For us here at Camosun College that's our many Term, Contract, … [Read more...] about Fair Employment Week 2023
