The board of the Post-Secondary Employers' Association has ratified the agreement between B.C. Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the BCIT Faculty and Staff Association reached under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap announced today.

The agreement covers four years: two years under the 2010 Net Zero Mandate and two years modest wage increases funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Following local ratification by BCIT's board and the Faculty and Staff Association (FSA) members, the PSEA board provided the final sign-off on the agreement. The BCITFSA represents about 2,200 people working at BCIT as instructors, assistant instructors, and technical staff.

About two-thirds of unionized employees in the B.C. public sector are now covered under negotiated settlements. This represents over one-third of agreements.

The B.C. government has been clear that there is no new money to fund wage increases, and there is no desire to download these costs onto families or future generations. The 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate provides public-sector employers with the ability to negotiate modest wage increases funded from savings within existing budgets, not adding costs to taxpayers and ratepayers, and not sacrificing services.

Settlements under the 2012 mandate are expected to be unique between sectors and between employers in some sectors.

Quotes:

Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap -

"This agreement shows that the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate is working, and savings can be found within existing budgets to fund modest wage increases."

"I would like to recognize the efforts of BCIT and the BCIT Faculty and Staff Association in reaching this agreement."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

"About two-thirds of unionized employees are now covered under negotiated settlements, despite the tough fiscal environment. These agreements show significant progress is being made under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate."

"This mandate gives employers and unions the opportunity to find creative solutions, and this means no two settlements are going to be alike. We are going to see unique settlements in every sector and with each employer."

Quick Facts:

• The 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate applies to all public-sector employers whose collective agreements expire on or after Dec. 31, 2011.

• About 300,000 unionized workers are employed in the public service, at Crown corporations and agencies, and in the kindergarten - Grade 12, post-secondary, health and community social services sectors.

Learn More:

Updated bargaining information is available at: http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/psec/

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821