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Collective Barganing

Collective bargaining at NIC

At North Island College (NIC), integrity and respect are at the heart of our approach to labour relations. We're committed to free and fair collective bargaining that strengthens our ability to serve students and communities.

Collective bargaining is a collaborative process through which unions and employers negotiate the terms and conditions of employment. At NIC, we approach this process with a focus on building trust, fostering inclusion and supporting the sustainable best interests of our entire college community.

Our approach

  • We believe that collaboration leads to better outcomes for employees, students and the institution.
  • We negotiate with the goal of meeting the core interests of all parties while ensuring fairness and belonging across our campuses.
  • We recognize that meaningful, respectful dialogue is essential to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

As a provincial public sector employer, NIC negotiates within B.C.’s centralized bargaining model, established under the Public Sector Employers Act (1994). This model ensures that provincial policy direction, the needs of citizens and free and fair bargaining are all respected. Learn more about public sector bargaining in B.C.

NIC is also a member of the Post-Secondary Employers’ Association (PSEA) along with 18 other institutions in the BC post-secondary sector. PSEA holds NIC’s Certificate of Bargaining Authority and they coordinate and support NIC in the collective bargaining process with its unions. 

Unions and employee groups

NIC negotiates contracts with two unions representing employees in two separate bargaining units:

  • North Island College Faculty Association (NICFA)
  • Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3479

Exempt administrative employees at NIC are not unionized and do not belong to a bargaining unit.  

Bargaining updates

Collective agreements at NIC expired earlier in 2025, and the next round of collective bargaining at NIC is getting underway this Fall, alongside other public-sector employers across British Columbia. Updates will be posted here as the process unfolds.  

For broader updates and context on provincial public sector bargaining, you can also follow the Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat News.