UNBC and TA’s reach a collective agreement
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PRINCE GEORGE–The first collective agreement for CUPE 2278 teaching assistants at UNBC has been reached.
The process began last year, but once it hit the table, a deal was reached after only four days. The new local will be component 3 of CUPE 2278. “We were pleasantly surprised by the speed of the negotiations,” said Andrew Guest, the chair of the bargaining committee. “We met and it was very collegial and constructive. It was important for both sides to change the nature of the relationship between TAs and the university, and reach a new kind of relationship,” said Guest.
The move was motivated by the experience of TA’s at UBC, who were primarily considered more student than employees. The new agreement addresses issues such as unpaid work hours, academic retaliation and harassment.
Final ratification of the agreement is set for early next week, pending the University Public Sector Employers’ Association’s signature on the deal.CUPE 2278 represents around 78 TA’s, who are also students enrolled at UNBC.
