NEWS, BARGAINING & EVENTS
SFU Childcare updates its news, bargaining and events throughout the year. Please check back frequently to find updates
On this page
On this page you’ll find information and updates relating to the current bargaining process between SFU Childcare Society and the BC Government & Service Employees Union (BCGEU), the union that represents SFUCCS educators.
Questions about the process? Check out our SFU Childcare Society FAQ
What is a collective agreement?
It’s a contract between the SFU Childcare Society (SFUCCS) and the BC Government and Services Employees’ Union (BCGEU) local. The agreement specifies the terms and conditions of employment (e.g., wage scale, benefits, working conditions for our childcare educators) and management rights. It also specifies a grievance process for resolving any dispute between educators and the employer (SFUCCS) regarding interpretation or application of the collective agreement. You can read our 2015-2019 collective agreement on the BCGEU website: http://former.bcgeu.ca/sites/default/files/colle ctive-agreements/03031919.pdf
Who is involved in the negotiating process?
At the negotiating table, unionized SFUCCS educators are represented by a negotiator appointed by the provincial BCGEU office and a bargaining committee comprised of three educators elected by their peers.
SFUCCS is represented by a negotiating team comprised of our Executive Director and a Program Director(s), with support from a labour negotiator or lawyer as needed, and a note taker.
Is the SFUCCS Board involved in negotiations?
The SFUCCS Board forms the Bargaining Liaison Committee (BLC), whose members are officers of the Board who provide finance, sustainability, and communications expertise. The Board at large is kept informed of major developments but is not directly involved until there is an agreement on which to vote.
How will I receive updates/communications during the bargaining process?
All updates will be sent out from the Executive Director via email and will also be posted onto our website: SFU Childcare Please direct any questions or comments regarding the bargaining process to the Executive via phone (778-782-3226) or email (ccsadmin@sfu.ca). Asking educators questions about the bargaining process can put them in a difficult position due to union confidentiality. In order to support the educators during this process, they have been advised to direct any questions to the Executive Director.
On November 20-21, 2025 a diverse group of 11 Society educators and leadership from across the program age groups, attended the 16th Annual National Child Day Conference in Edmonton, presented by the Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement (ARCQE). We were also able to celebrate National Child Day on November 20 to mark a historic moment reaffirming that every child in Canada deserves to grow up safe, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
We were all motivated to be one of only a few groups from BC, to be included, as part of around 650 educators focused on sparking conversations on children’s rights, democratic practice, citizenship, community, and culture. This conference call to action highlighted children’s rights and we were so pleased to be with a professional community immersed in all that the busy two-day conference had to offer! This included a tour of a number of inspiring childcare centres in Edmonton, key note speakers, such as Nick Terrones (ECE and Director of Community Relations in the College of Education, University of Washington), Carol Garboden Murray ( author and renowned speaker of Illuminating Care; the pedagogy and practice of care in Early Childhood Communities , Wendy Lee ( Director of the Educational Leadership Project, New Zealand) and Dr. Patrick Makokoro ( social entrepreneur and researcher who addresses social inequities and founder of the Nhaka Foundation in South Africa). We also enjoyed a choice of workshops focused on a wide variety of relevant topics. It was a fantastic opportunity that we all gained so much from, which we can use to inspire others at the Society.