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
News & Announcements
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
Warning! Predatory Conferences
Martha McAlister and the PD Funding Committee would like members to beware of SCAM conferences. There has been an increase in fake "Predatory Conferences" Before you seek funding to attend a conference, please ensure it is a reputable organization. It can be very hard to detect and a number of us have been fooled. Keep an eye out for some of these red … [Read more...] about Warning! Predatory Conferences
CAUT Grievance Handling Workshop
This is another callout for CAUT Grievance Handling– which is being offered in conjunction with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). CCFA Members, through our membership in the Federation of Post Secondary Educators (FPSE), are eligible to enroll for this free training! This is an ideal course where you'll learn a little bit about the grievance and dispute … [Read more...] about CAUT Grievance Handling Workshop
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
You have new health benefits! Here’s how to use them.
As you hopefully already know, your 2022-2025 CCFA Bargaining Team negotiated Camosun Faculty a whole whack of new extended health benefits. These benefits are part of your total compensation package as Camosun employees, so make sure you take full advantage. Here's how: We have a pay-direct Drug Card! Manulife has finally started the process of mailing members our new … [Read more...] about You have new health benefits! Here’s how to use them.
2023 Seniority List
The 2023 Seniority List is finally out and published on our website! Do you know why a Union's Seniority List is so important? The seniority list is important because it plays a vital role in ensuring fairness and consistency within the organization. It serves as a reference point for various employment-related decisions. In many departments, seniority influences the … [Read more...] about 2023 Seniority List
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
CAUT Organizing School 101
WE WANT YOU! To go to Organizing School 101– this is a great, FREE course being offered in conjunction with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) as part of our FPSE affiliation. This is an ideal course to learn how & why ongoing organizing with our members is critical for successful collective bargaining as well as promoting diversity equity, and … [Read more...] about CAUT Organizing School 101
Retro pay update: Dec 15 for most members
Hi everyone! Some good news on the first day of the exam period. The College has confirmed that it will issue retro pay for nearly all current members on the next payday, Dec 15! We know this retro pay from a cost-of-living increase is still coming later than it should, but we fought hard to make sure the Employer learned that delaying retro pay until 2024 was not … [Read more...] about Retro pay update: Dec 15 for most members
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?
Canadian Labour Congress – Winter School 2024
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) has released their course offerings for the upcoming 2024 Winter School, and it looks like another fantastic selection of introductory and advanced training opportunities in Labour Education. What is Labour Education, you ask? Labour education is the foundation and the future of Canada’s unions. It helps to strengthen unions by … [Read more...] about Canadian Labour Congress – Winter School 2024
Faculty Appraisal Infosessions
Noon- 1 pm Dec 5, 9:30-10:30 am Dec 13 & 1 - 2 pm January 4 Hi members! Your Union wants you to be better informed about your Collective Agreement Rights. This time of year, it is important to know your rights on Faculty Appraisal! Try to join one of our upcoming Infosessions. We're offering multiple sessions on this so as many of you can attend as … [Read more...] about Faculty Appraisal Infosessions
A Fond Farewell & a New Beginning
Some of you know from our announcement at the Fall GM that Laurence Toffoletto is leaving the CCFA. Her last day in the office will be November 29 in case you'd like to stop to say in or send her a quick note to say au revoir. The CCFA is grateful for her five years of dedicated service and is happy to wish her success in all of her future ventures. We especially hope … [Read more...] about A Fond Farewell & a New Beginning
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!
2023 Fall GM – Highlights
Warm Greetings to all our Siblings! Did you miss the Fall General Meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2023? We won't have another one until March 7, 2024 (watch your college email account for the invite) and here are the highlights. Commissioned logo and variations by Melissa Mills Congratulations to our Door Prize Winners! Contact our office staff if you don't … [Read more...] about 2023 Fall GM – Highlights
Camosun Showcase 2024: Professional, Scholarly, & Creative Activity
Submitted by Deidre Murphy Call for Submissions Are you interested in sharing your stories of innovation, research, and creativity with the college community and beyond? Are you interested in highlighting the relevant and important work that you have done individually or collaboratively with colleagues, students, or community? If so, consider contributing to Camosun … [Read more...] about Camosun Showcase 2024: Professional, Scholarly, & Creative Activity
Policy Feedback: Academic Concessions
How much do you know about the College's Policy Development Process? Surprised to learn that there is one? As a step towards reasserting faculty's role in collegial governance, I've worked to promote the opportunities faculty have to provide feedback on Policy, Strategic Planning, and Educational Initiatives. It's important that as many of us as possible provide quality … [Read more...] about Policy Feedback: Academic Concessions
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!
Organizing for Climate Action — December 4-8, 2023
This is a callout for CAUT Organizing for Climate Action– which is being offered in conjunction with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). This is an ideal course where academic associations can play a leading role in organizing their members to help our universities and colleges reduce their environmental impacts, Please take advantage of this … [Read more...] about Organizing for Climate Action — December 4-8, 2023
