Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC

Solidarity has always been an integral part of the labour movement. It is a recognition by all that we share a common struggle and a common history. But our solidarity often extends far beyond those in unions. The labour movement has a long history of extending solidarity to the broader community where the fight for justice and equality is as critical an outcome as it is for those within our ranks.

BC's Finance Minster Colin Hansen has to be more than a little nervous these days. With his credibility in disarray following a 2009 budget that completely missed the obvious economic implosion that was rolling across North America and a September 2009 "Update" designed to finally concede what he tried to deny seven months earlier, his latest fiscal plan shows little in the way of vision, credibility or fairness.

VICTORIA: "Instead of building a legacy, this budget fails to address a growing problem in post-secondary education in BC," said Cindy Oliver, President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators. "Operating grants for BC's public post-secondary education institutions remain effectively unchanged as a result of this budget, despite the fact that BC urgently needs to increase access and opportunities for citizens wanting to start or complete a post-secondary education," Oliver added.

The Federal Minister of Labour announced three new appointments to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), the quasi-judicial tribunal responsible for the interpretation and administration of Part I and Part II of the Canada Labour Code. Cindy Oliver, President of FPSE was appointed as the part-time Member representing Employees.

In making the announcement, the Minister noted the importance of these new appointments in ensuring both timely decisions as well as strong regional input in the CIRB's policy and decision making process.

Coalition calls on province to "go for gold" with proposed cosmetic pesticide ban

January 14, 2010 (Vancouver) - An unprecedented coalition of 18 health and environment organizations is urging the BC government to "go for gold" and pass leading-edge legislation to ban the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides. The coalition also released a five-point statement calling for new legislation to prohibit the use and sale of these toxic lawn and garden chemicals.

Two years ago, FPSE made a major commitment to fund, staff and resource a broadly based effort to unionize private post-secondary institutions in our province. The commitment was part of a broader recognition within FPSE that instructors working at private institutions needed our help. Their salary levels were inadequate. There were little if any additional benefits. Decision making within the institutions was top-down, arbitrary and left no room for faculty input.

“It’s not enough for the BC Liberals to impose “zero” mandates for the 2010 round of public sector bargaining.  They now want to use their legislative muscle to impose a collective agreement on striking paramedics,” said Cindy Oliver, President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators.  “The paramedics are members of CUPE Local 893, and they were in the process of voting on an offer from the employer.  That vote was scheduled to be completed by Friday.  However, the legislation preempts that vote by imposing a legislated settlement rather than giving paramedics the chance

October 26 marks the beginning of Fair Employment Week when post-secondary educators across Canada and the United States speak out on the problems facing contingent academic staff. The problems are real and continue to grow. About one third of FPSE members are non-regular faculty. Across Canada the number is closer to 40 percent.

Every year Presidents' Council devotes a full day session to meeting with MLAs in Victoria. Our objective is to give both opposition and government MLAs a firsthand report on how our public post-secondary system is doing.

Over the last eight years, it hasn't always been easy meeting with government-side MLAs and Cabinet Ministers. Openness and accessibility have not been hallmarks of their operating style.

Good government and collective bargaining have one thing in common: their ultimate success depends on good faith.  Diminish that good faith in any way and you set in motion a process that ultimately de-rails attempts to reach any sensible outcome.

In both instances good faith requires credibility.  Without it, governments couldn’t build the necessary consensus within the constituent groups needed to make public policy function.  And in collective bargaining, without credibility neither side would have the capacity to reach a deal.