The board of the Post-Secondary Employers' Association (PSEA) has ratified four faculty agreements reached under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

The two-year agreements provide for modest wage increases, which are being funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Almost three-quarters of the people working in B.C.'s public sector now have tentative or ratified agreements settled under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate. This represents more than one-third of all agreements.

Following local ratification by union members, college and university boards, the PSEA board provided the final sign-off on the agreements between Northern Lights College and BCGEU Local 710, Northwest Community College and BCGEU Local 712, Okanagan College and BCGEU Local 707, and at Vancouver Island University with the BCGEU Local 702. These agreements cover about 1,100 faculty members working at the four institutions.

In December, the PSEA reached a common agreement. The agreement covers BCGEU faculty members, most of which are vocational, at a number of institutions in the sector. Signatories include Camosun College, Northern Lights College, Northwest Community College, Okanagan College and Selkirk College. VIU later adopted the general framework of the common agreement in its negotiations.

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 while 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 Finance Michael de Jong -

"Almost three-quarters of unionized employees in B.C.'s public sector 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."

"I encourage employers and unions across the public sector to continue negotiating because agreements can be reached."

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-to-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
250 356-9872