UNBC Faculty Association (UNBC-FA)
Dr. Paul Siakaluk (President, Faculty Association)
Dr. Daniel Erasmus (Vice President, Faculty Association)
What is the UNBC-FA?
Incorporated as a society in 1994 and certified as a union in 2014, the UNBC-FA is the sole bargaining agent for all full and part-time faculty at UNBC, including tenured and tenure-track Faculty Members, Senior Lab Instructors, Senior Instructors, Academic Librarians, and contract academic staff.
The UNBC-FA acts as the sole bargaining agent for all UNBC-FA members, negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment as enshrined in the Collective Agreement. In addition, the UNBC-FA provides guidance and support for members throughout their employment, assisting with tenure and promotion, evaluation, and other processes. The UNBC-FA and its representatives play a vital role within collegial governance, consulting on all policies and procedures related to our members’ employment in research and teaching.
At the provincial and national level, the UNBC-FA represents the interests of its members and supports and promotes higher education through the Confederation of Faculty Associations of BC (CUFA-BC) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).The Mandate of the UNBC-FA is outlined in its Constitution, which can be found at http://unbcfa.ca/category/unbc-fa-constitution/
The current UNBC-FA Collective Agreement is an important document with which all UNBC-FA members should be familiar. It can be found on the UNBC-FA’s website: https://unbcfa.ca/resources/
Members of the UNBC-FA’s bargaining unit are defined in the Collective Agreement and include: Faculty Members, Librarians, Term Appointees (Regular Term Members, Instructors, Part-Time Instructors, Lecturers), Program Chairs, Senior Laboratory Instructors and Senior Instructors.
How do I join the UNBC-FA?
You automatically become a member of the Association when you are hired, which entitles you to:
- Receive assistance with complaints and grievances;
- Have the opportunity to sit on UNBC-FA committees and attend UNBC-FA meetings;
- Receive copies of UNBC-FA newsletters and sign up to receive CUFA-BC Bulletins
Do I have to join?
No person is required to be a member of the UNBC-FA as a condition of employment; however, each member must pay dues to the UNBC-FA or, if they object, to a registered charity. If you wish to have your dues allocated to a charitable organization instead of to the UNBC-FA, please contact Human Resources to arrange for this.
How are the day-to-day operations of the UNBC-FA carried out?
The Executive Committee is responsible for the smooth functioning of the UNBC-FA. The Executive Committee, elected from the UNBC-FA’s membership, comprises officers (President and Chair, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary); voting members (Past-President, Members-at-Large); and non-voting members (Grievance Officer, Executive Director). The UNBC-FA’s full-time Executive Director and staff aid the Executive Committee in carrying out its duties and provide assistance to Members.
The Grievance Officer and Assistant Grievance Officer work with members to represent concerns, complaints or formal grievances related to employment.
What are the other UNBC-FA Committees?
The work of the UNBC-FA is facilitated by a large number of joint and standing committees, some of which are defined in the UNBC-FA’s constitution. Members are also appointed by the UNBC-FA to sit on a number of university committees such as the Faculty and University Promotion and Tenure Committees, the Market Differential Committee, the Salary Anomalies Committee, and the Joint Consultation Committee.
When are meetings held?
The UNBC-FA holds an annual Spring general meeting in March and an annual Fall general meeting in October. There may also be special general meetings to discuss particular issues. Membership meetings are announced to all members via email.
Contact Information
The UNBC-FA office is located on the third floor of the Administration Building (ADM3089) and is open Monday to Friday from 9 to 4:30. Please call the office to arrange a meeting at your convenience.
Dr. Paul Siakaluk, President
Tel: 250-960-6120 or email paul.siakaluk@unbc.ca
Dr. Daniel Erasmus, Vice President
Tel: 250-960-5191 or email daniel.erasmus@unbc.ca
Dr. Catherine Whalen, Treasurer
Tel: 250-960-5639 or email catherine.whalen@unbc.ca
Dr. Gabrielle Daoust, Secretary
Tel: 250-960-6015 or email gabrielle.daoust@unbc.ca
Dr. Catherine Nolin, Grievance Officer
Tel: 250-960-5875 or email catherine.nolin@unbc.ca
Dr. Matt Reid, Assistant Grievance Officer
Tel: 250-960-6622 or email matt.reid@unbc.ca
Ms. Donna Sindaco, Executive Director
Tel: 250-960-5816 or email Donna.Sindaco@unbc.ca
Ms. Christa Florell, Professional Services Officer
Tel: 250-960-5313 or email Christa.Florell@unbc.ca
