Job action halts classes at Capilano U, as contracts inked with support staff at 5 other schools

Job action has halted all classes at Capilano University in North Vancouver.

A statement on the university's website says classes are suspended at its main campus and its Sechelt campus on the Sunshine Coast.

MoveUP, which represents the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378, says on its website that talks between the university and union collapsed over continued demands for concessions.

In a statement, the university said the two sides met in May with a Labour Relations Board mediator and presented a revised settlement offer that included wage increases of 12 to 13 per cent over three years ending June 30, 2025

It said MoveUP rejected the offer over the issue of remote work.

Classes, activities, and events on campus, including campus tours, are currently suspended, and the university said course instructors are not available to meet with students. However, convocation events for graduation are going ahead as planned

The job action comes as the Ministry of Finance announces agreements affecting about 2,100 public sector CUPE support staff at five post-secondary institutions in B.C.

The three-year mandates cover Canadian Union of Public Employees support staff at Vancouver Island University, Camosun and North Island colleges, as well as the College of the Rockies and College of New Caledonia.

Workers will receive total wage increases of just under 11 per cent over the life of the deal, which is retroactive to April 2022, and contains cost-of-living adjustments and benefits such as Indigenous cultural leave and improved mental health supports.