News
Read the latest news in BC post-secondary education.
On last day of work for inlingua workers, respect and appreciation for their contributions
The private post-secondary sector was disrupted in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a dramatic drop in international student enrollment. Today, inlingua Vancouver is closing down, affecting the 20 teachers and staff who are members of our private sector union, ETEA. It’s a sad day for our federation to see so many of…
Day of Mourning | April 28, 2020 | President’s Comment
On Tuesday April 28, working people across the country will mark the Day of Mourning. This is a day to remember those workers who have been injured or killed on the job, and to renew our efforts to prevent these tragedies from happening. In short, it is a day to mourn for those who have…
FPSE statement on private post-secondary institution layoffs | Immediate Release
Hundreds of BC private post-secondary workers are among those included in Statistics Canada’s unemployment numbers released Thursday, April 9. Already, some private post-secondary institutions have said that they can no longer operate given the significant decline of international students attributed to COVID-19. Inlingua Vancouver, whose employees are unionized, will be closed effective May 29, 2020.…
Financial Benefits and Assistance Available During the COVID-19 Emergency
This post is a summary of the benefits available to people through the Canadian and BC Governments, including Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers, and others. Employment Insurance https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html Laid off Employees Members who have been laid off can apply for EI. Application must be done…
FPSE President Terri Van Steinburg | Response to COVID-19
FPSE is acting on a number of fronts to operationalize the guidance and direction from public health authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. FPSE Member Locals have all received a memo outlining advice for responding to the pandemic at the local level. The plans for our May AGM are currently under review and are…
Each for Equal: How our Federation is Working for Women's Equity
On March 8, International Women’s Day will be marked around the world with the theme #EachforEqual. In order to truly achieve equality for women, we must achieve gender-equal workplaces and more gender equity in wealth. Across our federation, women and allies are doing their part to achieve equality and pay equity within our post-secondary sector.…
BC Budget Introduces Grant Program for Post-Secondary Students
VICTORIA— The BC government’s 2020 Budget has students and educators celebrating the introduction of an up-front, needs-based student grant program. The BC Access Grant is the first of its kind in BC in nearly two decades, and will help reduce student loan debt for thousands of British Columbians every year. “The faculty and staff…
FPSE Statement regarding Situation in Wet'suwet'en Territory
The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators is committed to the implementation of the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the recognition of the inherent rights stated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. FPSE calls on all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to implement the calls to…
2020: A new year, a new decade, and new opportunities for change
Jan 2020 This year, January not only brings the fresh start of a new calendar year, but also the beginning of a new decade. It’s the perfect time to look ahead at what this year holds and think big about the changes we want to see by 2030. I want to build on all the…
FPSE News: 20 Locals in 2020: FPSE Welcomes Quest University Faculty Union to federation
Sixty-seven educators at Quest University have joined the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE). The federation will now add representation from a union at a non-profit post-secondary institution to their existing 19 member unions in the public and private sector. Faculty at Quest University were certified as the Quest University Faculty Union on October…
