TRU Faculty Association ratifies new four-year collective agreement

“The process is long and part of that is because in the public sector in B.C., there are a variety of different unions,” TRUFA president Tara Lyster told CFJC Today. “Our applause and our thank-yous go out to other unions that went on strike – like the BCGEU – to help work toward setting the mandate that we’re all entitled to receive now.”

The agreement includes wage increases of three per cent per year along with improvements to measures like health benefits and professional development allowances. Lyster said it also includes provisions that allow faculty members to spend more time helping students or on their own research.

“We’re very happy with the deal,” Lyster said. “It ratified among our members at 98 per cent, which is really, really high, so members seem to be happy with it.”

“It was a lot of work for the bargaining team, so we’re very thankful to the bargaining team for the pre-work and all of the bargaining that’s done. Now we look forward to moving ahead with the new deal and the work that happens now with having it being implemented.”

“Through respectful and collaborative bargaining, we have reached an agreement that supports our members and the university community. I congratulate both TRU and TRUFA negotiating teams for their hard work and dedication,” TRU President Airini added in a statement.

Lyster said while there is relief that the bargaining process has wrapped up, the work done by the union “is kind of an ongoing cycle.”

“We’re always looking and thinking about what members want and need, and what we can put in place to improve our collective agreement and working conditions of faculty,” Lyster said. “There is also that ongoing piece of labour relations that is always happening where we’re ensuring the rights of our members are being upheld with what we have bargained for.”

“I wish I could say we were going to put our feet up but the work does continue.”

by Victor Kaisar

TRU Faculty Association ratifies new four-year collective agreement

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