UFV’s Collective Bargaining Principles continue to guide employer bargaining team

The FSA held its Extraordinary General Meeting on January 28, 2016 to present its proposed bargaining package to members. UFV is anticipating the FSA’s call to resume negotiations for the new collective agreement, spanning the period of 2014 to 2019.

How will UFV approach these continued negotiations? We are guided by a set of bargaining principles, approved by UFV’s Board of Governors. These principles are below, in full.

University of the Fraser Valley
2014 Collective Bargaining Principles

UFV considers its role as an employer a great privilege and responsibility.  The University recognizes the importance of ensuring the outcomes of collective bargaining support UFV’s legislated mandates and collegially-determined values and strategic goals. In support of this the University will be guided by the following bargaining principles:

1. Collective bargaining must align with our planning documents, and be guided by and support our commitments to 1) providing the best undergraduate education in Canada; 2) being a leader of the social, cultural, economic and environmentally-responsible development of the Fraser Valley; and 3) being innovative, entrepreneurial and accountable in achieving our goals.  Collective bargaining outcomes must not impede the University’s progress in achieving these goals or interfere in any way with its primary responsibility to its students, including UFV’s commitment to student access, support and success.  Collective bargaining must also support the University’s commitment to both institutional and individual excellence and accountability, and the responsible, flexible and efficient use of all its resources.

2. In collective bargaining, UFV is guided by its understanding that a university is its people, and strives to create an environment that is built on mutual respect and understanding, shared values and goals.  UFV is committed to supporting the work and career development of all employees, and values collegial decision-making in academic matters.

3. UFV strives to provide fair and equitable compensation for the work of its employees.  Nevertheless, negotiated agreements must respect provincial government mandates and the constraints of the University’s resources.  All costs of bargained agreements must be assigned and accounted for.

4. The University is committed to timely, responsive and respectful bargaining.

5. The Executive Committee of the Board will represent the Board on all matters related to collective bargaining during the bargaining process.  The Board Executive will approve the membership of the University’s bargaining team and the goals to be achieved through collective bargaining.  The bargaining team will provide the Board Executive with regular updates on progress.

6. At the conclusion of bargaining, the proposed Agreement between the UFV Faculty and Staff Association must have the approval of the majority of Board members, excluding faculty and staff representatives serving on the Board.

For UFV updates on the collective bargaining process, please visit blogs.ufv.ca/labour-update/.

Leslie Courchesne
Executive Director, University Relations
University of the Fraser Valley