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

The tentative agreement covers approximately 500 full-time and part-time faculty, including all instructors, counsellors, co-operative education officers and librarians. Faculty association members are expected to vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.

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, government does not have any funding for wage increases as collective agreements are renewed.

Quotes:

Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon:

"Congratulations to Langara and the faculty association for reaching a tentative agreement within the negotiating framework. Collaboration was needed to arrive at this positive outcome in challenging times."

Minister of Advanced Education Naomi Yamamoto:

"I am very pleased with the agreement that Langara College and all of the parties involved have worked hard to secure. Langara College is an important part of B.C.'s post-secondary services and provides quality education to its students and communities in the Lower Mainland."

Langara College president Dr. David Ross:

"I am pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached between the college and the faculty association. This result is good news for our students, employees, and the communities we serve."

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

Ministry of Finance

250 356-9872

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