UNBC and CUPE 2278 ratify collective agreement after ‘speedy’ negotiations

Despite it being a long process getting everyone involved to the table, a deal was quickly reached between UNBC and its teaching assistants.

As a result, the first collective agreement for CUPE 2278 teaching assistants at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has now been ratified.

According to the union, the deal was reached after just four days of bargaining. The new local will be component 3 of CUPE 2278.

“Bargaining provides an opportunity for both parties to exchange ideas, and I am pleased that both teams were committed to engaging in collegial discussion to reach an agreement that reflects the priorities of both parties,” said Professor Daniel Weeks, president and vice-chancellor of UNBC.

Highlights of the collective agreement include the following:

• A three-year term (July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2022);
• General wage increases of 2 per cent, 2 per cent and 2 per cent;
• Fixed funding negotiated for the training of new graduate teaching assistants; and
• Collective Agreement language is written to ensure 100% gender neutrality.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the speed of the negotiations,” said Andrew Guest, the chair of the bargaining committee. “We met and it was very collegial and constructive. It was important for both sides to change the nature of the relationship between TAs and the university, and reach a new kind of relationship.”

The decision to take action and seek some sort of deal had largely to do with the experience fo TAs at UBC, who were primarily considered more student than an employee, said Guest. Unpaid working hours, academic retaliation and harassment in all its forms are some of the key issues that the new agreement addresses.

“This really was a major victory,” added CUPE 2278 President Laura Bulk. “We got very firm protection and clear language around things like academic retaliation. The agreement clearly says academic retaliation is a form of harassment,” she said.

“I also want to recognize the hard work and dedication of the bargaining committee members and our national servicing representative.”

Final ratification of the agreement is expected early next week after the University Public Sector Employers’ Association signs off on the deal.

CUPE 2278 represents approximately  78 students at UNBC who are working as TAs as well.