BURNABY-The Colleges and Institutes Support Staff Bargaining Association (CISSBA) met in late July and renewed its commitment to a coordinated bargaining approach despite the lack of a provincial bargaining table.
The Post Secondary Employers’ Association (PSEA) advised CISSBA that there would not be a provincial table in this round of bargaining. However, because many issues – such as the formulary – are provincial, CISSBA is exploring the option of policy table discussions for issues identified as common to all colleges and institutions. These discussions will include CISSBA locals and the employers. Non-CISSBA colleges and institutions will be encouraged to be part of these discussions to ensure that the whole sector is included.
Many common issues
CISSBA thanks the locals and members who participated in the survey to help identify problems with the formulary. This information has confirmed how unhappy college sector members are with the changes to their prescription drug plan.
As well as the formulary, CISSBA locals have many common issues in this round of bargaining. Other common issues identified as priority by CISSBA include contracting out language and inequality in health and welfare plans within the sector. Joint job evaluation, shared services, and mergers were also identified as important issues.
Local bargaining starts soon
All locals have their bargaining proposals in progress and many expect to be at the bargaining table in September. Â Local bargaining proposals will include the common issues identified above.
Participating CISSBA members will be kept informed with updates during bargaining.
Please contact your campus representative or bargaining committee member with any questions or concerns.
CISSBA members include BCIT, College of New Caledonia, College of the Rockies, Douglas College, Justice Institute of BC, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, North Island College, Northern Lights College, Northwest Community College, Okanagan College, and Vancouver Island University. Members are represented by The Canadian Union of Public Employees and the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union.
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