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APSA, Bargaining updates, TSSU, SFUFA
September Collective Bargaining Update
SFU is currently engaged in collective bargaining with its unions and professional association.
SFU has now finalized collective and monetary agreements with three of the five employee groups: APSA, CUPE Local 3338 and Poly Party. Collective bargaining continues with the SFU Faculty Association and the Teaching Support Staff Union. Read more below for specific updates relating to each employee group.
Negotiations between SFU and its unions and professional association are guided by the Province's 2025 Balanced Measures Mandate, which applies to all public sector employers with unionized employees whose collective agreement expired on or after December 31, 2024.
The university’s bargaining philosophy is oriented toward collaborative negotiations that meet the core interests of all parties and upholds the sustainable and best interests for the entire SFU community.
Monthly Bargaining Updates by Employee Group
ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATION (APSA)
We are pleased to share that the University and the Administrative and Professional Staff Association (APSA) have finalized a new Monetary Agreement covering the period of July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2029. The agreement was finalized following a successful ratification vote by APSA members and approval by the SFU Board of Governors.
Details about the implementation timeline, including the timing of retroactive pay, can be found on the People Strategies website. Although the enhanced benefit provisions are effective as of the dates outlined in the applicable ratification memo(s), there may be a delay before you can access and submit claims for the enhanced coverage through Pacific Blue Cross while they update their systems.
The process of renegotiating the APSA Basic Agreement is still underway. Mediator recommendations have been received and will be shared with the SFU Board of Governors in November. The Basic Agreement is intended to support a collaborative, effective and harmonious working relationship between the university and APSA and its members. In recent years, there have been indicators that improvements to the relationship are needed from the university’s perspective. The objective is to create an effective and sustainable relationship in which the parties can engage directly, address issues at the appropriate level, and work toward solutions through negotiation rather than positioning for a third-party decision. The latest information about this process can be found on the Collective Bargaining Central Hub.
SFU FACULTY ASSOCIATION (SFUFA)
SFU continues to seek a new collective agreement with the SFU Faculty Association.
The university has offered the full scope of the mandate (maximum allowable general wage increases and funding allocations) in its monetary proposals to SFUFA, consistent with other bargaining tables across the provincial sector and the Province’s 2025 Balanced Measures Mandate.
On August 19, the SFU Faculty Association shared a proposal document outlining themes for a possible settlement. The university met with SFUFA informally on August 31 to discuss. The bargaining teams are scheduled to meet on September 22.
The university is committed to reaching an agreement that aligns with the 2025 Balanced Measures Mandate and supports the sustainable and best interest of the university community.
TEACHING SUPPORT STAFF UNION (TSSU)
SFU continues to seek an agreement with the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).
SFU and TSSU last met in mediation in May. Throughout the summer, the university remained interested in continuing discussions and shared proposals with TSSU in an effort to make progress toward an agreement.
Two bargaining dates were scheduled for August. TSSU indicated that they had concerns with the content of one of the university’s proposals and chose not to proceed with the scheduled bargaining sessions at that time.
The university is committed to continuing negotiations with TSSU’s bargaining committee. The parties have confirmed September 25 as the next scheduled bargaining date.
The BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) ruling regarding the recent Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) decision has been deferred to September 30, 2026. While we await the decision from the LRB, we look forward to continuing to work through outstanding issues with TSSU’s bargaining committee.
About Collective Bargaining at SFU
You can learn more about the process, common terms, Provincial mandate and the university’s approach to bargaining by visiting the following quick links:
STAY UP TO DATE
We will continue to keep you updated as developments arise on the Collective Bargaining Central Hub. Get the latest updates about your union/professional association, find answers to FAQs, and learn more about the Collective Bargaining process.