UBC academic workers vote overwhelmingly for strike action

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire UBC academic workers vote overwhelmingly for strike actionAuthor of the article:VANCOUVER — Academic workers at the University of British Columbia have voted 95.4 percent in favour of taking strike action. Representing more than 3,500 teaching assistants, tutors, markers, exam invigilators, instructors, and graduate academic assistants, CUPE 2278 says the union has exhausted all other options to reach a fair collective agreement.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“UBC is not taking the challenges our members face seriously, dismissing our clear priorities around improving working conditions and quality of life,” says Jessica Wolf, a graduate teaching assistant at UBC and president of CUPE 2278. “Academic workers are particularly vulnerable to B.C.’s high cost of living. Many of us can’t afford health care costs, class sizes are out of control, and we are not getting enough paid work to provide the quality of education UBC students deserve. We are at a breaking point.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.CUPE 2278 has been in bargaining with UBC since their last collective agreement expired in August 2025. The union and UBC entered mediation in July 2026, but no progress was made on the key priorities of academic workers.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“The work of our CUPE 2278 members is critical — students and faculty depend on us every day,” says Wolf. “As academic workers, we are passionate and want to keep supporting our students on their learning journeys, but it is difficult to do so when we are struggling to make ends meet.”With a strong strike mandate from members, CUPE 2278 says it is prepared to return to bargaining and believes a negotiated settlement is still possible.“This strike vote shows CUPE 2278 members are prepared to do what is needed to get the fair deal we deserve and to make higher education more accessible to students and student workers,” says Wolf. “A job action that would disrupt classes would be a last resort, but the next move is up to administration. If they don’t get serious about bargaining, UBC will be forcing us onto a picket line.”View source version on businesswire.com: This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.