2025-26 Intents and Proposals will be due February 1! All continuing, probationary, indefinite term, and post-retirement Faculty Members, except International Education Project Officers, Senior Analysts, and Program Developers in Professional Studies and Industry Training, are entitled to two months (or the equivalent) free of regular duties for approved scheduled … [Read more...] about Time to start thinking about Scheduled Development!
News & Announcements
Last call for CCFA long-term professional development funding!
The 2025 deadline of January 31 is fast approaching! Are you a continuing CCFA member? Are you thinking about taking a Masters or PhD program? Or some other long-term PD activity? You may be eligible for long-term funding. Contact the office at ac.nusomac@DP-AFCC and start the application process now. … [Read more...] about Last call for CCFA long-term professional development funding!
Merry Merry Merry & Hope for a Happier New Year
Dear Members, Our offices will be closed from December 25th through January 1st. Our office staff plan to work remotely on December 23rd and 24th. If you need in-person service, please email them to make an appointment. Over the holidays, you can reach us for labour emergencies and other urgent matters on our Discord server or by emailing ac.ytlucafnusomac@tnediserp … [Read more...] about Merry Merry Merry & Hope for a Happier New Year
Fall 2024 Special General Meeting Highlights
Greetings to all our Siblings & Relations! Did you miss the Fall Special General Meeting on December 12, 2024? If so, here are the highlights: Meeting Business Territorial Acknowledgement Agenda Section 54 of the BC Labour Code requires employers to give 60 days' notice and engage in good-faith discussions with the union before implementing changes … [Read more...] about Fall 2024 Special General Meeting Highlights
Lobbying & Letter Writing Campaigns
Hi Members! I know many of you are still working hard to complete your final exams and grading for the semester, but I’m hoping you’ll take a moment to pay attention to this important request. Last week, members at the SGM learned about our MLA Letter Writing Campaign. We want every member to send a letter to their MLA requesting support. Please do this … [Read more...] about Lobbying & Letter Writing Campaigns
2024 Seniority List
The 2024 Seniority List is finally published on our website, but wait... Find the 2024 Seniority List here. What is Seniority? Seniority is a system used in workplaces and organizations to rank employees based on their length of service. Only Continuing faculty members earn seniority. Term faculty members accumulate "service in the bargaining unit," which is … [Read more...] about 2024 Seniority List
Reflections on Dress Sculptures in 2024
Submitted by Karoline Guelke This week the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence came to an end. This event was started to remember the 14 women who were killed 35 years ago by a male classmate who objected to the presence of women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, making this a case of femicide. Gender-based violence continues to be a reality for … [Read more...] about Reflections on Dress Sculptures in 2024
Come Together, Act Now!
16 Days of Activism: Taking a Stand Against Gender-Based Violence in Canada and Beyond The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, running from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), is an important Canadian and Global movement for change. This year, the campaign carries … [Read more...] about Come Together, Act Now!
Thinking about Long-Term PD?
New Long-Term PD application forms for the 2025 year are now available on the website! If you are interested in applying, please use the most current forms and talk to the CCFA office for guidance. The deadline for long-term funds is fast approaching! In addition, the newly updated PD Fund Guidelines for the 2025 year are now available on the website. Refer to these … [Read more...] about Thinking about Long-Term PD?
Disability Management and Rehab Committee (DMRC) Report – CCFA rep (local 12)
Submitted by Brent Wasserman On October 4th and 5th I had the opportunity to travel to Burnaby to engage with folks from across the province at the Federation of Post Secondary Educator’s (FPSE) Fall Standing Committee summit. The meeting was called to order and we all participated in a territorial acknowledgement, as a way of also introducing ourselves to the group. As we … [Read more...] about Disability Management and Rehab Committee (DMRC) Report – CCFA rep (local 12)
Haven’t decided what to do with your LWSA?
Only 30% of those eligible for the Lifestyle and Wellness Spending Account have claimed their benefit. Submitted by Seb Bonet Last month we got the reminder that thanks to our latest collective agreement we can claim up to $375 for lifestyle and wellness through our union. The reminder came in the lead-up to Truth and Reconciliation Day and got me to thinking about the … [Read more...] about Haven’t decided what to do with your LWSA?
Spotlight on Literature: Poet’s Corner – US Election Haikus
Submitted by Sandra Bannikoff Trump v. Andersen Tale as old as time: all the women are saying the men went too far. Trump v. USA Their thumbs on the scale, as if Justice didn't know. She rang the tocsin. … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Literature: Poet’s Corner – US Election Haikus
PD Funding Still Available for your PD Activities!
Submitted on behalf of Martha McAlister As you are aware, the college has been put under an "Essential Spending Mandate". You will have been told that nonessential spending includes "Optional or deferrable conferences". NOTE: This does NOT apply to CCFA funded PD activities! These funds are entirely at the discretion of the CCFA. So please, keep applying for funds to … [Read more...] about PD Funding Still Available for your PD Activities!
2024 Fall GM Highlights
Greetings to all our Siblings & Relations! Did you miss the Fall General Meeting on October 15, 2024? If you did, you missed our first attempt at a completely hybrid General Meeting. This Winter, we'll do it again, this time at Interurban. While it would have been great if everyone could have joined us in person or online, we know it isn't possible, so here are your … [Read more...] about 2024 Fall GM Highlights
What Voting in This Election Means to Me
Today, in honour of the first day of early voting and in a direct act of protest over the "Essential Spending and Strategic Hiring" announcement we got in a Special CamNews today, I'm writing a very personal message to all of my siblings, colleagues, and friends. I first moved to Canada in 2010, actually, on May the fourth, as many of you may have heard me joke during our … [Read more...] about What Voting in This Election Means to Me
Why Voting Matters
Submitted by Blair Fisher I would just like to take a minute as we approach the upcoming provincial election as to why each of our votes matters. Our industry, post-secondary education, is both highly politicized and politically dependent on government funding. We have seen areas within Canada where education is under attack, and the rights to fair bargaining have been … [Read more...] about Why Voting Matters
Workload & Why It Matters
A tale as old as time, "This is the way it is because it is the way we've always done it." Or this one, "If anyone says something, it could actually get worse for all of us, just wait until you're continuing." And the worst one yet, "it's only happening to the Term faculty." We promote Fair Employment Week each October, but I say we should focus on it all month—all … [Read more...] about Workload & Why It Matters
A Few Helpful Reminders for CCFA Members – Fall 2024
Hi Members! A few end-of-the-month reminders, but trying to keep this brief because the official digest comes out next week! Be on the lookout for our Bargaining Team and Exec members circulating in your areas. They’ll be dropping into your department and team meetings with our Bargaining Survey! I know it seems obscenely soon, since we don’t even have an … [Read more...] about A Few Helpful Reminders for CCFA Members – Fall 2024
Your LWSA fund got a boost to $375. Make sure to claim your money!
Our Lifestyle and Wellness Spending Account (LWSA) that we negotiated as part of the last bargaining round just got bumped to $375 per eligible member. The instructions are nearly unchanged so make sure you apply and get the money you are entitled to! >> Click here for instructions on how to claim your $375! Unfortunately, faculty members have only accessed 30% of the … [Read more...] about Your LWSA fund got a boost to $375. Make sure to claim your money!
Faculty Professional Development Funding
Submitted by Martha McAlister, Professional Development Committee Chair Did you know that ALL CCFA faculty members have access to funding for professional development activities? Below are some general highlights, but you will find detailed guidelines and all the forms on the CCFA website. Contact Martha McAlister, the Chair of the CCFA PD Committee (ac.nusomac@mretsilacm), … [Read more...] about Faculty Professional Development Funding
2024 Fall GM – Tuesday, October 15, 3:00-4:30 PM – Now Hybrid!
Attention Camosun College Faculty Association Members, your Fall General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM, on Zoom AND at Lansdowne in Wilna Thomas 201. Please check your Outlook Calendar to make sure you've received our invite and link. If you haven't gotten an invite, please contact us. If you've never attended a CCFA General … [Read more...] about 2024 Fall GM – Tuesday, October 15, 3:00-4:30 PM – Now Hybrid!
Help Needed for Orange Shirt Day!
The Department of English's Indigenization Working Group is asking for volunteers to help them as they assist in organizing Camosun's Orange Shirt Day events. Days like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are emotionally burdensome days for our Indigenous colleagues and students, so it is important for non-Indigenous allies to take on some of the practical labour when … [Read more...] about Help Needed for Orange Shirt Day!
Invite your Union to your next Department Meeting!
Our current collective agreement expires in less than six months. Yes, the contract we ratified only a year ago is already on its post-retirement contract. Your Contract Negotiations Team (CNC) is well on its way to drafting new language to secure better working conditions for you and your faculty colleagues. From our General Meetings, our Town Halls, and our many hallway … [Read more...] about Invite your Union to your next Department Meeting!
Announcing the 2024 CCFA Charity Fund Recipients
Once again, our members have nominated some fantastic charities and causes to receive the CCFA 2024 Annual Charitable Donations. It is never an easy decision to decide how to split such a small sum among so many in need. And once again, it is my humble privilege to inform our members which charities your Exec selected from the applications we received. I also hope you enjoy … [Read more...] about Announcing the 2024 CCFA Charity Fund Recipients
Camosun Science Book Club
Submitted by Martha McAlister All are welcome! Students, staff, faculty – anyone who wants to read and discuss a fun and fascinating book about science! Fall 2024 book: I Contain Multitudes, by Ed Yong Meeting dates: For more info or to sign up, email Jen Giuliani (Biology): ac.nusomac@JinailuiG Copies of the book generously supplied by the CCFA-PD fund. Sign … [Read more...] about Camosun Science Book Club
A Union’s Work Is Never Done!
The Real Story Behind Labour Day: More Than Just a Day Off in Canada and the U.S. Labour Day in Canada and the U.S. has become synonymous with barbecues, sales, and the unofficial end of summer. But let's not forget, this holiday wasn’t always about chilling by the pool. It was born out of the gritty struggle of workers who fought tooth and nail for the basic rights we take … [Read more...] about A Union’s Work Is Never Done!
Thinking about completing a Professional Development activity?
Submitted on behalf of Martha McAlister The 2024-25 PD application submission deadlines are now available. Professional Development funding is available through the CCFA for both Continuing and Term faculty! You can be reimbursed for course registration fees, conferences (and travel to them), textbooks, workshops, or other educational activities. You will find … [Read more...] about Thinking about completing a Professional Development activity?
Welcome Back &/or Carry On, Members!
Dear Friends and Members! Whether you are returning from a brief time off between semester assignments or the summer break, there's a few new and different things that all faculty members should be aware of! Your Union didn't take any time off this summer and we've been working around the clock to improve your working conditions and protect your rights. That said, we don't … [Read more...] about Welcome Back &/or Carry On, Members!
CCFA Summer Office Hours
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 our office hours are reduced due to seasonal staffing availability and PD claim processing may take up to 30 days. Please remember that all PD inquires, including claims should be sent to ac.nusomac@DP-AFCC. However, we know … [Read more...] about CCFA Summer Office Hours
Your 2024 AGM Election Results & Highlights
Congratulations to your newly elected CCFA Executives! We are happy to announce that the following nominees have been elected or acclaimed to Office for 2024-25: The new Executive Committee members will take office on September 1, 2024. We are also pleased to inform you that Isabel Grondin (CSEE) has been elected to the position of CCFA Representative on the PD … [Read more...] about Your 2024 AGM Election Results & Highlights