BCGEU Collective Agreement Ratified

We are pleased to announce that the British Columbia General Employees’ Union Local 702 (BCGEU Local 702) and the VIU Board of Governors and the Post-Secondary Employers Association Board of Directors have ratified a new collective agreement. This agreement aligns with the provincial government’s 2022 Shared Recovery Mandate and VIU’s People Plan commitments to wellness and equity. The ratified agreement covers the period of April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025 and approximately 157 BCGEU employees at VIU.

Some of the highlights of the agreement include:

• Introduction of benefits for professional services to support mental health;
• Improvements to other extended health benefits;
• Guaranteed time for Curriculum Development and Professional Development activities;
• Increased eligibility for Chair stipends;
• Introduction of new cultural leave

 General wage increases and term are in accordance with the 2022 Shared Recovery Mandate and are as follows:

• Three-year term – April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2025
• General wage increases
• Year 1 – a flat increase of $0.25/hour which provides a greater increase for lower paid employees, plus a 3.24%
• Year 2 - 5.5% plus a potential Cost of Living Adjustment to a maximum of 6.75% (Maximum 6.75% triggered as of April 1, 2023)

Year 3 – 2% plus a potential Cost of Living Adjustment to a maximum of 3%.

Both parties would once again like to thank the bargaining teams for their dedication and hard work. All parties were committed to an open and cooperative process. The resulting agreement contains many improvements that will benefit both BCGEU members and VIU, as well as our students and the broader university community.

If you have any questions about the agreement or the bargaining process, please contact BCGEU Bargaining Chairs, Dean Cadieux or Brad Jannaway or Director of Employee Relations, Patricia Elliott.