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
Search Results for: Bargaining
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
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
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
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
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)
Bargaining Bulletin #5: BCGEU got a deal! What does this mean for us?
Hi friends! As you may recall from my last bargaining update, Unions are so hot right now. You have probably already seen that after an unprecedented eight-week strike, BCGEU signed a four-year contract with the B.C. Government. You may have some questions! Let's see if we can't take them on... Is this a good deal? In short, yes! When bargaining began, the Government … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #5: BCGEU got a deal! What does this mean for us?
Bargaining Bulletin #4: You’ve gotta have (bad) faith
Hi friends, As we are wrapping up the summer term and preparing for the boisterous fall term, it's time to update you on the status of our contract negotiations. As you may recall, in June, we tabled a one-year, wage-only package with a single item: a 3.6% general wage increase for all faculty. Given how far apart our respective visions for the College were, we felt this … [Read more...] about Bargaining Bulletin #4: You’ve gotta have (bad) faith
Bargaining 2025: An Audacious Step Forward
Last Monday, June 16 was an eventful day in bargaining. Why on earth would we do that? This is a long post about a short day—but it's important to see the whole picture. Here goes: 1. We did this together, and it mattered. More than 20 observers from across the College attended our bargaining session. (You can read CCFA President Lynelle's conversation on open … [Read more...] about Bargaining 2025: An Audacious Step Forward
Register Now for CAUT Collective Bargaining April 02 – April 05, 2024
Greetings Members! Have you been thinking about joining our Bargaining Team this year? We hope so! What? You're worried you won't know what is going on since you've never been at a bargaining table before? Don't worry, we got you! This CAUT Collective Bargaining workshop is just for you, I know, I took it last year! We are proud to bring you another … [Read more...] about Register Now for CAUT Collective Bargaining April 02 – April 05, 2024
CCFA Bargaining Update #4
April 17, 2023 Greetings, friends. The Union bargained for another three days in April. At the end of these sessions, we began “package bargaining,” which involves each side crafting packages of proposals to be agreed to as a whole or not at all. This helps to narrow the issues and therefore to identify the primary objectives of each party. It also … [Read more...] about CCFA Bargaining Update #4
CCFA Bargaining Update #3
Greetings, friends. The Union bargained for three days last week (February 21-23, 2023). We began by settling several more housekeeping issues. Then we went through each other's proposals to indicate broadly our interest in finding middle ground. This helps all concerned decide where to focus their energies, but it does not mean that either side cannot push forward with a … [Read more...] about CCFA Bargaining Update #3
Register Now for CAUT’s Collective Bargaining (March 6 – 10, 2023) – by 4 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2023
Greetings Members! This is the first call for CAUT Collective Bargaining – which is another workshop being offered in conjunction with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) through our FPSE affiliation. This is an ideal course for those new to bargaining or interested in learning more about what goes on at the bargaining table. It is a great way to … [Read more...] about Register Now for CAUT’s Collective Bargaining (March 6 – 10, 2023) – by 4 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2023
Shared Recovery Mandate | Bargaining 2022
How Does The "Shared Recovery Mandate" Stack Up Against Inflation? Are you sure you really want to know this? I wasn't... but then morbid curiosity got the better of me. Our Union is 48 years old. In less than two years, we will celebrate OUR golden 50th anniversary, just three years behind Camosun College's. So lets see how well we weathered inflation during that time. … [Read more...] about Shared Recovery Mandate | Bargaining 2022
Fall GM and Bargaining Updates
Want to know what's going on for CCFA Bargaining? Come to the Fall General Meeting on November 3rd at 3-4:30 PM to find out! Save the date so you can vote on our Mandate! Other exciting topics include the final 2023 Budget, Executive Updates, Federation News, Answering Your Questions, Door Prizes & more! Contact us if you have not received the videoconference … [Read more...] about Fall GM and Bargaining Updates
Bargaining in the shadow of BC’s Public Sector Employers’ Council
Have you heard the news? BCGEU: The votes are in and nearly 95% of BCGEU's public service members voted in favour of strike action, in their fight for a fair deal that includes #COLA! This is a big day for BC's labour movement. Read on to learn more about why this matters and how important it is for Collective Bargaining. Union Power in BC has been suppressed for over … [Read more...] about Bargaining in the shadow of BC’s Public Sector Employers’ Council
Shrinking Wages | Bargaining 2022
FPSE Bargaining Bulletin #1 – A 6% Wage Cut Introduction Canada is experiencing rates of inflation that have not been seen in over 31 years. The rate of inflation from March 2021 to today has eroded the value of a dollar by 6.7%. In a best-case scenario, the Bank of Canada projects a further 4% decline by 2025. Bargaining The BC Public Sector comprises 400,000 … [Read more...] about Shrinking Wages | Bargaining 2022
BC Provincial Election | October 24, 2026
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Know Your Rights: Scheduled Development
2026-27 Intents and Summer Proposals will be due February 1! It was wonderful to see so many faculty members who joined the CCFA Infosession today. We even had an exempt administrator attend! Contact us if you don't have the links to our infosessions in your Outlook Calendar. But just in case you missed it, here's an updated Know Your Rights blog on what we covered. All … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: Scheduled Development
Know Your Rights: 2025 Seniority List
Finally... Hello members! The 2025 Seniority List is finally published on our website, and in time-honoured tradition, I'm going to recycle a post from last year to help you determine if your Seniority has been calculated correctly. You can download the 2025 Seniority List if you click here. It is also posted on the front page of our website and on the Camosun Intranet. If … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: 2025 Seniority List
Know Your Rights: Check Your Cheque 2025
What We Learned — and What to Do Next Our latest Check Your Cheque infosession was held on December 10, and once again the message was clear: your pay advice is one of the most powerful tools you have for protecting your rights and your earnings. Whether you’re new to Camosun or have been here for years, understanding how to read your paycheque is essential, and based on the … [Read more...] about Know Your Rights: Check Your Cheque 2025
