Brief Overview
-
CUPE728 bargains twice
- First step is with the Provincial Government with K-12. CUPE K-12 is made up of over 55 CUPE locals throughout BC that have support staff that work inside and outside of the schools. The provincial side of the table includes BCPSEA (BC Public School Employers Association) which is part of PSEC (Public Sector Employers Association) along with managers/Trustees from various school districts from BC. In order to be on the K-12 Committee, CUPE Presidents across BC have to be elected to be on this committee and will bargain with the provincial government for all locals under the K-12. CUPE728 has been fortunate enough to have had strong local Presidents that have elected onto this provincial committee for many rounds of bargaining. It is not a guarantee for CUPE728 to be on this committee each round of bargaining.
- At this level, Wages, Benefits, Provincial Committees, COLA Causes, Jobe Evaluations H & Safety etc. are bargaining for at this level. This Framework (agreement) is found in our collective agreement starting on page 180
- Once that is COMPLETED, then CUPE728 will sit down with Sd36 and bargain. The Bargaining Committee for CUPE728 has been determined by the membership and is found in the Bylaws starting on page 16.
- The Negotiating Committee shall consist of the President, 1st Vice President and Executive Shop Stewards. The Recording Secretary shall also be in attendance at all meetings of the Negotiating Committee.
- The topics are determined by the membership by a vote (this was done early in the school year) and then reviewed and brought forward by the Negotiating Committee.
- First step is with the Provincial Government with K-12. CUPE K-12 is made up of over 55 CUPE locals throughout BC that have support staff that work inside and outside of the schools. The provincial side of the table includes BCPSEA (BC Public School Employers Association) which is part of PSEC (Public Sector Employers Association) along with managers/Trustees from various school districts from BC. In order to be on the K-12 Committee, CUPE Presidents across BC have to be elected to be on this committee and will bargain with the provincial government for all locals under the K-12. CUPE728 has been fortunate enough to have had strong local Presidents that have elected onto this provincial committee for many rounds of bargaining. It is not a guarantee for CUPE728 to be on this committee each round of bargaining.
- K-12 Bargaining Committee has been bargaining since April 2025. The Committee was presented with a wage increase that was abysmal, which was a decrease of almost $13Million across all of K-12. K-12 is consistently being told ‘it’s not your year’. However, CUPE K-12 is not in agreeance.
- CUPE728 works hard to ensure it’s Executive, members and other locals are confident in the bargaining process and brings in training/education. Recently, CUPE728 hosted a Bargaining Preparation day-long seminar with over 50 CUPE members from various locals throughout the Lower Mainland.
Feb 27, 2026
CUPE728 hosted over 50 CUPE members for across the Lower Mainland from various CUPE K-12 Locals for a full-day of Bargaining Prep. This is a very productive meeting and really shows the SOLIDARITY and COMMITMENT that CUPE locals in BC have for their members. More information will be posted and shared at the next Membership Meeting on March 11, 2026
Feb 18, 2026
Your bargaining committee met with the employer today for a pivotal meeting towards K-12 school support workers getting the deal we deserve.
We are pleased to report that the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) committee tabled a revised monetary offer. There is still considerable work to be done to get a provincial framework agreement, but your bargaining committee believes there is a path towards a fair deal. We are working with the employer on securing more dates to get back to the table. Members will be updated as soon as the next session is scheduled.
While the bargaining committee is optimistic, we are not at the finish line yet. It is very clear that the employer and the provincial government have seen that school support workers are united and we are all ready to do what it takes to get a fair deal. So, until we have that deal, we will keep the pressure on.
It has proven to be a long and tough round of bargaining, but the encouragement and support of members has been a great source of energy and inspiration for the bargaining committee.
Together we will get our deal.
Feb 17, 2026
Feb 9, 2026
Feb. 6, 2026
January 26, 2026
January 15, 2026
January 14, 2026
Bargaining reaches an impasse without meaningful funding for classroom conditions
October 2025
June 2025
Did you know that the K-12 Presidents Council is getting ready to go into bargaining at the provincial level? This is where wages and benefits are discussed. Don’t forget to do the Survey (deadline is Dec 17). These items are for all CUPE locals under the K-12 Sector in BC (not just for Local728). Once this is completed, we will be able to start bargaining at our local’s level.
https://survey-sondage.cupe.ca/index.php/311237?lang=en
CUPE 728 Bargaining
Not sure how Bargaining works? Below is a flow-chart on what the full process of Bargaining looks like. This process can take many, many months.
Bargaining
CUPE728’s Collective Agreement has an end-date of June 30, 2025. However, our local bargaining is not completed by June 30, 2025, our current collective agreement will still be in place (meaning, we will not be in a position of working without a collective agreement). It will roll over until our new collective agreement is in place.
Click here for the current collective agreement