VIU AND BCGEU 702 APPROVE NEW COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

The British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) Local 702 has informed Vancouver Island University (VIU) that its membership has ratified a new collective agreement for the period of April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014. The University’s Board of Governors and the Post-Secondary Employers Association (PSEA) have also approved the settlement.

The settlement includes four 1% wage increases throughout the period (effective December 31, 2012 - 1%; April 1, 2013 - 1%; September 1, 2013 - 1%; and January 1, 2014 - 1%) for a total increase of 4% by the end of the agreement.

“I would like to congratulate the negotiating teams for both the University and BCGEU for their hard work in reaching this important settlement,” said Ralph Nilson, VIU President and Vice-Chancellor. “The parties came together to find a way not only to support the government’s cooperative gains mandate, but also to ensure we invest in this University’s most valuable asset: its people.”

“We thank our membership for supporting this agreement,” said Stu Seifert, Chairperson of BCGEU Local 702. “The bargaining teams for our Union and the Employer worked hard to reach a settlement that works for both our employees and the University.”

More than 325 BCGEU faculty members are located at VIU’s four campus and regional centres in Cowichan, Nanaimo, Parksville-Qualicum and Powell River, and deliver trades, health sciences, adult basic education and international education.