Collective bargaining is the formal, good-faith process through which 鶹ýӳ College and its employees, represented by their unions, negotiate the terms and conditions of collective agreements that outline wages, benefits, and working conditions.
As a provincial public-sector employer, 鶹ýӳ bargains under British Columbia’s (B.C.’s) centrally coordinated model established by the Public Sector Employers Act and facilitated by the Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat (PSEC). This statutory framework lets unions negotiate directly with sector-based employers’ associations while respecting provincial fiscal policy, public service needs, and the principle of free and fair collective bargaining.
How bargaining works
The (PSEC) oversees the Province’s strategic coordination of labour relations, total compensation planning, and human resource management across the broader public sector. The Minister of Finance serves as Chair.
PSEC’s duties are carried out by the Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat, led by a President and Chief Executive Officer, which oversees public-sector bargaining for the provincial government and coordinates the bargaining mandate that guides negotiations.
The (PSEA) is the employer bargaining agent for all public colleges, institutes, and special-purpose teaching universities in B.C. They are governed by the College and Institute Act and the University Act, respectively. These nineteen institutions constitute the B.C. post-secondary sector.
PSEA bargains on behalf of B.C.’s public colleges and institutes and at the sector-wide table under the mandate for provincial negotiations.
Local college and union teams may also negotiate workplace-specific items under that mandate.
Provincial mandate
Current mandate
All 2022-25 agreements at 鶹ýӳ were negotiated under the 2022 , a three-year framework that paired general wage increases with inflation protection and a negotiable Flexibility Allocation of up to 0.25% in years one and two.
2025 mandate
Negotiations for the 2025 round of bargaining are underway across the provincial public sector.
We will share information here as soon as it is available. You can visit the B.C. Government website to .
Employee groups
Unions represent 91%* of the people employed by 鶹ýӳ College. The remaining 9% are exempt employees. Unionized employees are represented by:
BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) – Part of Local No. 701
BCGEU, part of Local 701, represents vocational instructors at 鶹ýӳ. The BCGEU Collective Agreement covers the period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025. These terms and conditions continue in force until the parties renegotiate the collective agreement.
View current collective agreement
鶹ýӳ College Faculty Association (CCFA)
The CCFA is the certified bargaining agent for faculty members at 鶹ýӳ. Its current CCFA Collective Agreement runs April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025. These terms and conditions continue in force until the parties renegotiate the collective agreement.
View current collective agreement
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) – Local 2081
CUPE Local 2081 represents support staff at 鶹ýӳ College. The CUPE Local 2081 Collective Agreement covers July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025. These terms and conditions continue in force until the parties renegotiate the collective agreement.
*Data as of April 1, 2025, from PSEC’s 2025 B.C. Public Sector Compensation Annual Forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Updated June 9, 2025
As an employee of 鶹ýӳ College, how can I stay informed about what’s happening with collective bargaining?
Our goal is to maintain open and transparent communication with the 鶹ýӳ College community, as appropriate during negotiations. Employees can follow bargaining updates posted here and information provided by their unions.
What does the bargaining process look like?
The college and union teams exchange non-monetary and monetary proposals, review supporting data, and negotiate each item. All proposals must be reviewed and costed by PSEA. The parties trade counter-proposals until there is tentative agreement that each will then take through a ratification process. Union members and the 鶹ýӳ College Board and the Board of PSEA must ratify the agreement.
Who is responsible for bargaining?
Bargaining is conducted by two separate committees: one representing the employer and one representing the union.
At 鶹ýӳ, the employer bargaining committee is led by the Employee and Labour Relations team within Human Resources and includes representatives from across the college as well as PSEA. Each union forms its own bargaining committee. Please contact your union for information.
How long will collective bargaining take?
Collective bargaining is a highly adaptable and evolving process. Its duration can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the volume of proposals and the complexity, significance, and potential impact of proposed changes.
What happens after a tentative agreement is reached?
Both the union membership and the boards of both 鶹ýӳ College and PSEA vote on, or ratify, the agreement. Once ratified, new terms take effect, and the final agreement is published.
When will the next round of bargaining begin?
Negotiations with CCFA are planned to begin on June 9, 2025. Negotiations with CUPE and BCGEU have not yet been scheduled.