Stop Outsourcing Union Jobs at Okanagan College!
The Issue
The integrity of collective agreements at Okanagan College are under siege by the current administration led by President Neil Fassina. In particular, the College is attempting to replace Unionized workers with cheap labour. No matter where it happens, the outsourcing of Union jobs to subcontractors poses a serious risk to us all. This attack not only threatens the rights, privileges, and benefits of support staff at Okanagan College, but also endangers every Union in British Columbia and the rest of Canada.
Protection from subcontracting has been locked in our collective agreement since at least 1973. In fact, our language is ironclad - the best in the province when it comes to post-secondary colleges and institutes. In a nutshell, Okanagan College must obtain approval from the Union before outsourcing jobs.
In the most recent case that made news headlines this summer (see articles below), Okanagan College Vice-President Curtis Morcom requested permission from the Union to outsource all jobs related to campus housing in four locations (Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon and Salmon Arm).
Naturally, the Union denied the request. We're talking about dozens of positions lost. There was no legitimate rationale to subcontract. This work belongs to the bargaining unit. Support staff already perform these duties.
In a shameful act of bad faith, Okanagan College ignored the Union's decision and signed a contract with Campus Living Centres Inc. The move was unprecedented and violated Article 15 of the Support Staff Collective Agreement in the most egregious and flagrant manner possible. The Union was forced to file a grievance. Unfortunately, the wheels of justice turn slowly in British Columbia. The earliest court dates to settle the dispute will be in 2026.
Okanagan College, recognized for the first time as one of BC’s Top Employers in 2024 by Mediacorp, risks tarnishing its newfound reputation as a progressive company and demoralizing its workforce through these actions. We cannot stand by and do nothing as co-workers are laid off, positions are lost and livelihoods are sacrificed in the name of cheap labour.
Research indicates that subcontracting often results in lower wages, reduced benefits and compromised job security (Noonan, 2018). These effects are far from abstract; they are real, and they affect us, the dedicated employees of Okanagan College. Our community, our families, our very way of life stands to suffer.
For those that have not yet been impacted, my concern for our community stems from a deep conviction that we need to protect all Union jobs. Each time we do not uphold and protect collective agreement language, we weaken Union power everywhere. Our combined and continued vigilance is essential. This is the essence of Solidarity!
To protect the hard-earned rights, privileges and benefits of Union workers, Okanagan College must terminate any contracts in dispute. Furthermore, the College must not enter new contracts without express written approval from the Union.
Our collective power is stronger than any corrosive business strategy. Stand with us against this unjust act.
Here's what you can do:
1) Sign the petition and share on social media,
2) Join the Facebook Group,
3) Send your comments to the Board of Governors
Chair, Dale Safinuk, dsafinuk@okanagan.bc.ca
Vice-Chair, Andrea Alexander, andrea.alexander@wfn.ca
Dustyn Baulkham, dustyn@rebelliousunicorns.com
Sheri Hamilton, sherihamilton@sascu.com
Gurjit Chand, gurjitc@interiorrealtors.com
JoAnn Fowler, jfowler@okanagan.bc.ca
Cindy Battersby, cbattersby@okanagan.bc.ca
Roger Wheeler, rwheeler@okanagan.bc.ca
Kevin Fukushima, kfukushima@okanagan.bc.ca
4) Send your comments to Campus Living Centres Inc.
Emma Leon, CEO
eleon@campuslivingcentres.com
Clarence Chong
Vice President, Strategy & Development
(416) 620-0635 x8160
cchong@campuslivingcentres.com
Luke Jeffery
Director of Residence Life
Leadership, Training, & Development
ljeffery@campuslivingcentres.com
5) Send your comments to Mediacorp Canada Inc.
Articles
Union decries 'subcontracting crisis' at Okanagan College
Who is Mediacorp?
Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals and operates a job search engine at www.eluta.ca. Mediacorp receives financial support from the winners of the top employer project.
The Issue
The integrity of collective agreements at Okanagan College are under siege by the current administration led by President Neil Fassina. In particular, the College is attempting to replace Unionized workers with cheap labour. No matter where it happens, the outsourcing of Union jobs to subcontractors poses a serious risk to us all. This attack not only threatens the rights, privileges, and benefits of support staff at Okanagan College, but also endangers every Union in British Columbia and the rest of Canada.
Protection from subcontracting has been locked in our collective agreement since at least 1973. In fact, our language is ironclad - the best in the province when it comes to post-secondary colleges and institutes. In a nutshell, Okanagan College must obtain approval from the Union before outsourcing jobs.
In the most recent case that made news headlines this summer (see articles below), Okanagan College Vice-President Curtis Morcom requested permission from the Union to outsource all jobs related to campus housing in four locations (Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon and Salmon Arm).
Naturally, the Union denied the request. We're talking about dozens of positions lost. There was no legitimate rationale to subcontract. This work belongs to the bargaining unit. Support staff already perform these duties.
In a shameful act of bad faith, Okanagan College ignored the Union's decision and signed a contract with Campus Living Centres Inc. The move was unprecedented and violated Article 15 of the Support Staff Collective Agreement in the most egregious and flagrant manner possible. The Union was forced to file a grievance. Unfortunately, the wheels of justice turn slowly in British Columbia. The earliest court dates to settle the dispute will be in 2026.
Okanagan College, recognized for the first time as one of BC’s Top Employers in 2024 by Mediacorp, risks tarnishing its newfound reputation as a progressive company and demoralizing its workforce through these actions. We cannot stand by and do nothing as co-workers are laid off, positions are lost and livelihoods are sacrificed in the name of cheap labour.
Research indicates that subcontracting often results in lower wages, reduced benefits and compromised job security (Noonan, 2018). These effects are far from abstract; they are real, and they affect us, the dedicated employees of Okanagan College. Our community, our families, our very way of life stands to suffer.
For those that have not yet been impacted, my concern for our community stems from a deep conviction that we need to protect all Union jobs. Each time we do not uphold and protect collective agreement language, we weaken Union power everywhere. Our combined and continued vigilance is essential. This is the essence of Solidarity!
To protect the hard-earned rights, privileges and benefits of Union workers, Okanagan College must terminate any contracts in dispute. Furthermore, the College must not enter new contracts without express written approval from the Union.
Our collective power is stronger than any corrosive business strategy. Stand with us against this unjust act.
Here's what you can do:
1) Sign the petition and share on social media,
2) Join the Facebook Group,
3) Send your comments to the Board of Governors
Chair, Dale Safinuk, dsafinuk@okanagan.bc.ca
Vice-Chair, Andrea Alexander, andrea.alexander@wfn.ca
Dustyn Baulkham, dustyn@rebelliousunicorns.com
Sheri Hamilton, sherihamilton@sascu.com
Gurjit Chand, gurjitc@interiorrealtors.com
JoAnn Fowler, jfowler@okanagan.bc.ca
Cindy Battersby, cbattersby@okanagan.bc.ca
Roger Wheeler, rwheeler@okanagan.bc.ca
Kevin Fukushima, kfukushima@okanagan.bc.ca
4) Send your comments to Campus Living Centres Inc.
Emma Leon, CEO
eleon@campuslivingcentres.com
Clarence Chong
Vice President, Strategy & Development
(416) 620-0635 x8160
cchong@campuslivingcentres.com
Luke Jeffery
Director of Residence Life
Leadership, Training, & Development
ljeffery@campuslivingcentres.com
5) Send your comments to Mediacorp Canada Inc.
Articles
Union decries 'subcontracting crisis' at Okanagan College
Who is Mediacorp?
Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals and operates a job search engine at www.eluta.ca. Mediacorp receives financial support from the winners of the top employer project.
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Petition created on November 28, 2024