Vancouver Community College has reached a tentative two-year agreement with the Vancouver Community College Faculty Association under the government's 2010 mandate, announced Finance Minister Kevin Falcon.

The tentative agreement covers approximately 950 employees, delivering courses at both campuses of Vancouver Community College. Faculty association members are expected to vote on the agreement before the end of May.

Government has already announced its intention to control spending on wages during this round of bargaining. To protect jobs and preserve vital services British Columbians depend on, the Province has no funding for new wage increases as collective agreements are renewed.

Quotes:

Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon:

"I commend the VCC and faculty association negotiators for reaching a tentative agreement within the negotiating framework. This is another example of the kind of collaboration that is needed in these challenging times."

Minister of Advanced Education Naomi Yamamoto:

"VCC and the VCC Faculty Association have both worked hard to reach this tentative agreement. I offer my congratulations to everyone involved for ensuring a stable learning environment for the students."

VCC president Kathy Kinloch:

"All parties involved in the negotiations were strongly motivated to seek a resolution in the best interests of VCC's students. Our board of governors and the VCC leadership team appreciate this positive collaboration."

Quick Facts:

* There are approximately 306,000 unionized workers in occupations throughout B.C.'s public sector, the great majority of which have agreements that expired between March 31, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2010.

* More than two-thirds of those employees have now renegotiated agreements that were set to expire in 2010, including agreements covering 99 per cent of health-care workers.

Learn More:

Updated bargaining information is available at:

http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/psec/bargaining2010/

Contact:

Jamie Edwardson

Communications Manager

250 356-9872

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect