Vancouver Island University Faculty Association

Excited to be celebrating International Women's Day on March 8! All are welcome to come out to this creative commemoration, next Wed Mar 8 at VIU's Malaspina Theatre (bldg 310). Lots of great folx are involved, and the play reading by our Inclusive Theatre Collective will be entertaining and educational too. Plus, you get to play Consent Bingo, a participatory game facilitated by our Thrive team.

Strikes at two Atlantic universities tied to chronic underfunding: unions ST. JOHN’S, N.L. - Leaders of faculty unions say ongoing strikes at two Atlantic Canadian universities are a sign of growing frustration among instruc...

Collegial governance: What is it, and why is Memorial University an 'odd case'? | CBC News One of the biggest sticking points in the ongoing MUN strike is "collegial governance." But what does that mean?

VIUFA is seeking interested members to be part of our Job Action Committee to support the bargaining process.

Job Action Committee Seeking Members - Vancouver Island University Faculty Association […]

Congratulations to VIUFA’s DRISC Chair, Dr. Georgina Martin, for overseeing these two important projects and for working to secure the significant funding needed to do so.

Langara. News & Events: Langara News: 2022: Langara College partners with Williams Lake First Nation on two funded applied research projects Langara College, located in Vancouver, B.C., provides university, career, and continuing studies programs to over 23,000 students annually. We offer the largest university transfer program in Canada, with a proven record of student success.

VIUFA's Status of Women's Committee is hosting two events to honour National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women: a lunch-hour vigil on December 6, 2022 at 12pm in the lobby of the Malaspina Theatre followed by a cande-light walk; and an evening speaker's panel also at the theatre, starting at 6:30pm.

- Vancouver Island University Faculty Association […]

Ontario passes bill to ban CUPE education workers' strike after talks end with no deal | CBC News Ontario has now passed legislation making it illegal for 55,000 education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees to strike and imposing a contract on them.

It's Fair Employment Week in Canada.
Make it Fair for Contract Academic Staff
https://makeitfair.caut.ca/?locale=en

Make it Fair Increasingly, professors are hired on short-term contracts and are paid less than full-time professors doing the same work. It is time to make it fair and stop precarious employment. Get involved in the campaign this Fair Employment Week.

Thanks to VIUFA's Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee (HRISC), there is a new resource database available that curates numerous resources related to a variety of human rights issues.

VIUFA’s Committee on Human Rights and International Solidarity Unveils Resource Database - Vancouver Island University Faculty Association […]

Although this OIEE (VIU) blogpost is from 2021, it provides a number of key resources to engage with as we continue to deepen our understandings and hold space in our hearts and minds on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. https://www.viu.ca/blog/marking-national-day-truth-and-reconciliation

Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Vancouver Island University | Canada September 30 is an annual statutory holiday to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools. On this day, we honour those who were lost and the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve.In recent years, September 30 has been known as Orange Shirt Day – ...

“…B.C. could be on the cusp of a major period of labour unrest, similar to what we are seeing in other parts of the world like the United Kingdom.”

A summer of discontent? Why public sector workers are preparing to strike in B.C. B.C. could be on the cusp of a major period of labour unrest, similar to what we are seeing in other parts of the world like the UK.

B.C.'s largest public sector union issues 72-hours strike notice | CBC News The bargaining committee representing more than 33,000 public sector workers in B.C. issued 72-hours strike notice Friday afternoon following an impasse in negotiations with the province.

Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore | BC Gov News A new collaborative post-secondary campus will be built in one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities so more students can access education close to home for in-demand jobs.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-threatens-funding-cuts-to-athabasca-university-over-virtual-campus-plan-1.6539085

Alberta threatens funding cuts to Athabasca University over virtual campus plan | CBC News The province has raised the stakes in its battle with Athabasca University over a strategy to move online by threatening to pull the institution's monthly operating grant of $3.4 million.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bcgeu-members-reject-9-99-per-cent-pay-hike-over-three-years/wcm/c2aa1d84-9dea-4deb-85f4-c9ed3292d48d/amp/

BCGEU members reject 9.99 per cent pay hike over three years Provincial government and 33,000 of its workers are miles apart in collective agreement bargaining

Asian Heritage Month 2022: Celebrating Innovation and Perseverance. This commemorative event showcases the innovation and perseverance of public servants of Asian descent and their impact across the federal public service.
Date and time: May 6, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET)
https://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/events/anti-racism/asian-heritage-month-2022-eng.aspx

Asian Heritage Month 2022: Celebrating Innovation and Perseverance - CSPS This commemorative event showcases the innovation and perseverance of public servants of Asian descent and their impact across the federal public service.

Pay attention on your commute today, you may just see red dresses strewn in places you’d least expect them. That’s because May 5 marks Red Dress Day, a day to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Red Dress Day was inspired by the REDress Project, an art installation which involves the hanging of red dresses in public spaces. Created by Métis artist Jaime Black, the installation has since been replicated in communities across Canada.
Nicolette Little, from the University of Calgary, talks about the REDress Project along with the Memory Stone Project, gender-based violence and how collaborative and replicable activism can help causes gain momentum.
She says initiatives like the REDress Project and the Memory Stone Project that are easy to participate in and reproduce, and that make people feel like they are part of a community that cares, https://theconversation.com/from-red-dresses-to-memory-stones-collaborative-and-replicable-activism-can-help-causes-gain-momentum-180645?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20May%205%202022&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20May%205%202022+CID_ee3e25be9786d570fabb42f4708b604e&utm_source=campaign_monitor_ca&utm_term=are%20important%20and%20can%20truly%20help%20inspire%20every%20day%20acts%20of%20change

From red dresses to memory stones: Collaborative and replicable activism can help causes gain momentum Projects that are easy to participate in, reproduce and that make people feel like they are part of a community that cares are important.

British Columbia: An Untold History -- stories of Indigenous, Black, Chinese, Japanese, Punjabi and European people are woven together to tell the story of British Columbia. This series features the work of VIU Anthropology Professor Dr. Imogene Lim. https://www.knowledge.ca/program/british-columbia-untold-history?gclid=CjwKCAjwgr6TBhAGEiwA3aVuIZCdRbkI09qLCatImgQjOfSNU-FDiTmfodQbqRjPgi1K8WMDyxXxYRoCh1oQAvD_BwE

British Columbia: An Untold History Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Punjabi, Black, and European stories are woven together to present an astute look at the complicated histories that shaped BC as we know it today.

Asian Heritage Month 2022! Tune in to the Asian Heritage Month celebration on Facebook Live at 6:30 pm (ET), May 9, 2022. This live event highlighting this year’s theme and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the official declaration of May as Asian Heritage Month will feature performances, tributes, interviews and much more! https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022AG0070-000662

Parliamentary secretary's statement on Asian Heritage Month | BC Gov News Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, has issued the following statement in honour of Asian Heritage Month:

Bonne fête du Premier mai!

Quand les travailleurs et travailleuses s’unissent, cela donne de bons résultats. Aujourd’hui, nous assistons à des manifestations de la force croissante du mouvement syndical dans le monde entier.

Je serai à Queen's Park à Toronto aux côtés de nos amis de la Fédération du travail de l’Ontario qui tiennent des rassemblements dans toute la province parce que l’élection provinciale sera déclenchée demain.

Ensemble, nous avons le pouvoir de bâtir une société juste et équitable. Profitons de l’occasion pour rappeler que chaque travailleur ou travailleuse est une importante pièce du puzzle.

https://youtu.be/nYMkMptcSPg

https://rabble.ca/labour/anti-scab-legislation-is-a-win-for-workers/

Anti-scab legislation is a win for workers Federal anti-scab legislation will add a strong layer for protection from workers, but back-to-work measures still remain a threat.

It has been 9 years since one of the worst ever industrial accidents.

The Rana Plaza collapse killed 1,100 garment workers and left 2,500 more seriously injured.

It was avoidable.

Canada's unions demand Canadian companies take responsibility to ensure workers making their good anywhere in the world are working in safe conditions and are paid living wages.

https://canadianlabour.ca/making-global-supply-chains-safe-for-workers/

On April 28, we will pause to remember and mourn the workers who have been killed, injured or made ill by the work they do. Be sure to join us at one of the many events happening throughout BC, or online. Find details at https://www.dayofmourning.bc.ca/

Explore a lesser-known side of labour history in Vancouver, including the intersections of gender, race and class at work. BC Labour Heritage Centre (BCLHC) Project Manager Bailey Garden will highlight locations significant to women's labour history using archival images, videos and Google Maps Streetview technology in this virtual presentation. April 26th, 7PM-8:30PM, $20/15+tax. Register here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/vancouverheritagefoundation/655199

Register for Evening Lectures | Spring 2022 on Zoom, Tue 1 Mar 2022 7:00 PM - Wed 1 Jun 2022 8:30 PM Evening Lectures | Spring 2022 on Zoom, Tue 1 Mar 2022 - Wed 1 Jun 2022 - VHF’s Evening Lecture series returns virtually for the spring 2022 season. Lectures will run from 7pm to 8:30pm. Join us from the comfort of home to enjoy fascinating pieces of Vancouver’s histo...

Resilience BC Nanaimo/Ladysmith Spoke with VIUFA HRISC are co-hosting Reel Resistance. There will be a youth panel responding to selected video shorts, and a group of Ladysmith Secondary Students in the STAAR program (Students Taking Action Against Racism) discussing film content and perspective. The STAAR short is worth viewing and will give you hope for our next generation of leaders. As another incentive to attend, besides the enriching and stimulating discussion, is the raffle of books!

On Monday, April 25th, Nanaimo city council will hear a presentation on how our city can accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy systems in buildings through changes to our bylaws. Shelley Serebrin from the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub will be presenting, along with Frances Deverell from the Council of Canadians, Mid-Island Chapter, and Brian Short from the First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo.

We need your support to show council how important this is to the residents of Nanaimo!

Send your letter to the Mayor and Council: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/nanaimo-low-carbon-energy-systems-bylaw-support?source=direct_link&&link_id=0&can_id=a0f05fb383c7fe8c9aa7f92a109ec8fe&email_referrer=email_1520151&email_subject=support-needed-calling-on-city-council-to-keep-gas-out-of-new-buildings

Having lots of people attend Monday's council meeting to show support will also go a long way. Anyone can attend online or in person at the Shaw Auditorium (80 Commercial Street). Please arrive (or tune in) at 7:30pm to catch the presentation.

Thank-you for being part of the solution! https://www.nanaimoclimateaction.org/

NANAIMO CLIMATE ACTION HUB The purpose of the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub is to advance solutions that reflect the urgency of the climate emergency through advocacy, local initiatives, and collaboration with other...

After months of negotiating and job action, we are happy to say that librarians working at Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) ratified a fair collective agreement.

BCGEU members working at VIRL demanded better and through their solidarity and strength, they were able to make advances in this round of bargaining.

Thank you to the many patrons, allies and supporters that showed their solidarity through social media, letters of support and on the picket line.

Read the media release here: https://www.bcgeu.ca/vancouver_island_library

The Government of Canada has launched consultations to inform the first ever National Action Plan on Combatting Hate. People across Canada, particularly those with lived experience of hate, are encouraged to have their say in the development of the Nation Action Plan by completing an online questionnaire by May 4, 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/action-plan-combatting-hate.html

This questionnaire will recognize the voices of those with lived experiences. Including First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, Asian, Latinx, Arab, Muslim, Jewish, and racialized and faith-based communities, alongside newcomers, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons.




Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more inclusive and equitable future for all where everyone can live their life free from the fear of attack or abuse because of who they are.