Message on Full Strike Action at Capilano University
Statement from the University
Capilano University values the work and contributions made by the university’s support staff represented by MoveUP Local 378. Negotiations under the Province’s Recovery Mandate have been underway between the University and the union since May 25, 2022. To date, 91 per cent of B.C.’s public sector workers have reached tentative and ratified agreements under the Province’s Recovery Mandate – we are hopeful that a negotiated settlement with MoveUP Local 378 can be reached soon.
On May 10 and 12, 2023, the parties met with the Labour Relations Board mediator and presented a revised settlement offer that included wage increases of 12–13 per cent over a three-year term ending June 30, 2025, and a new wellness spending account of $300 per year for regular employees. MoveUP rejected the offer over the single issue of remote work and served the University 72-hour strike notice on Friday, May 12. The union advised it would introduce an overtime ban as of Monday, May 15. Subsequently, groups of employees started picketing on Wednesday, May 17. As of June 6, the Capilano University Faculty Association (CFA) has joined the strike in solidarity. As a result, student classes, activities and events on campus are unable to run as scheduled until further notice.
June is graduation season at Capilano University and we are pleased to share that our convocation events are going ahead as planned. Our graduates have worked hard. We look forward to celebrating their academic success, June 7–9, through ceremonies that honour their achievements.
In 2021, CapU was one of the first post-secondary institutions to develop and introduce a remote work Hybrid Office Program – a program that was developed in consultation with employees and the union. The University has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing this program, which enables CapU to serve the needs of students while supporting the health and well-being of employees.
Of primary issue to MoveUP is the union’s position that the collective agreement should include language enabling individuals to file grievances relating to remote work decisions of managers, with ultimate resolution handled by a third party. Remote work arrangements have been discussed across the public sector in this round of negotiations; however, the language proposed by MoveUP at this time is inconsistent with the common approach and has the potential to compromise service delivery at the University.
CapU remains committed to our students, and to the negotiating process with our employees. We want to resume normal operations on our campuses again soon. It is our hope that we can reach a resolution quickly to continue serving our students and employees at CapU without further disruption.
Submitted by: Communications