Prince George, B.C. – The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the University of Northern British Columbia Faculty Association (UNBC-FA) have successfully ratified a new collective agreement consistent with the Province’s Shared Recovery Mandate and in accordance with the mandate given to the UNBC-FA by its members. The UNBC-FA represents approximately 380 faculty, including professors, instructors, lecturers, sessional lecturers, librarians and senior lab instructors.

“The UNBC Faculty Association is pleased to have reached a new collective agreement with the University. In late June our members voted 97.2 per cent in favour of ratifying it,” says UNBC-FA President Dr. Paul Siakaluk. “We appreciate the time and effort of our bargaining team, who well represented their colleagues at the bargaining table. We also appreciate the time and effort of the Employer’s bargaining team. Both sides are gratified that the new collective agreement will soon be in place.”

“When we reached an agreement with our UNBC-FA colleagues in 2021, I said we had entered a new era of labour relations at UNBC. This agreement reinforces that statement and I am excited to continue to build our positive relationship in working with the Faculty Association Executive and its members. Not only did we reach an agreement through collaborative and respectful collective bargaining, but we did so before the current agreement had expired,” says UNBC President and Vice-Chancellor Geoff Payne. “I am appreciative of the efforts of both bargaining teams; they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the process, to their colleagues, and to the UNBC community. I am particularly pleased that our students and prospective students can benefit from the improved labour relations at UNBC."

The parties reached a tentative agreement on June 23; UNBC-FA members ratified the agreement on June 30 and UNBC’s Board of Governors ratified the agreement on July 13.