KFA Update Part II: Layoffs, Violations, and the Growing Governance Breakdown

Dear Colleagues,

This is the second part of our KFA update to members. Part 1 addressed the potential amalgamation of departments in the Faculty of Arts and what we understand to be the possible removal of duly elected Chairs.

Part 2, written below, turns to several additional developments:

• Ongoing violations of the KPU-KFA Collective Agreement related to layoffs and severance
• The KFA’s successful accommodation grievance
• Layoff mitigation update
• Growing delays in Employer layoff mitigation processes
• The deepening governance crisis at both the Board and Senate levels. 

We also outline next steps and a call for faculty to assist in developing governance training.

Thank you for your attention and continued engagement.

In Solidarity,

Mark Diotte

KFA Update Part II: Accommodations, Layoffs, Violations, and the Growing Governance Breakdown

1. Victory on Accommodations Grievance. Further information will be forthcoming from Diane Walsh as we look into the award and what it means for KFA members.
    
2. Approximately 23 layoff notices have been rescinded or partially rescinded through the layoff mitigation process under the KPU-KA Collective Agreement. This is despite what we believe to be systemic errors, mishandling, delays, and misinformation on the part of the Employer. We will be continuing to work on mitigation measures over the summer.
    
3. The Employer has manufactured a new category of layoffs they are referring to as “Deferred Layoffs.” The Employer does not view these as permanent rescindments; instead, they are treating these mitigated layoffs as “on pause” rather than rescinded, we believe in direct violation of Article 7 of the Collective Agreement. This bureaucratic sleight of hand allows layoffs to remain active on paper long after mitigation has occurred—leaving members in limbo. The KFA has filed a policy grievance and will pursue this issue to arbitration if necessary.
    
4. Severance Offers Are Below Contractual Standards: the Employer is offering reduced severance packages that do not reflect members’ salary and service, contrary to 7.10(d)(ii). The KFA has grieved this and is advising members that any such “offers” should be reviewed before acceptance.
    
5. The Employer has attempted to bypass making “every reasonable attempt to minimize the impact of funding shortfalls…on the workforce” (Article 7.01 KPU-KFA Collective Agreement). The Employer approached the KFA to agree that three time release positions were specific to the Melville School of Business. The KFA stipulated that these releases should be limited to Departments where faculty have been issued layoff notices in the interest of protecting faculty jobs. Rather than agree with the KFA or continue to engage in conversation, the Employer bypassed the need for KFA agreement and sent the release positions to the full KPU faculty distribution list. We believe this to be bad faith, a violation of Article 2.03, and undermines the Employer’s obligations to protect faculty jobs. It represents a broader pattern of evading both governance norms and contractual responsibilities.
    
6. Mitigation Delays Are Systemic: despite the KFA and Employer signing off on retirement mitigations in late May, the rescindments tied to those mitigations are still being delayed and some are only occurring last week—over a month later in some cases. These are members who should have already received rescindments—yet the Employer is dragging its feet. This delay is causing a significant amount of undue stress and risk to our members—some of whom may have found new jobs, moved, or otherwise already prepared to move on from KPU.

Governance at a Breaking Point

1. Board Meetings Closed in All But Name: KPU’s “open” Board meetings now require registration, and the public link is non-functional. After a brief, choreographed open session, the Board enters closed meetings where critical decisions are made with no faculty or public access to agendas, minutes, or outcomes—even when the issues aren’t sensitive. This is opacity masquerading as transparency.
    
2. The request for the KFA to be a delegation at the June 25th Board of Governors meeting was declined. This means that the Board refused to hear from faculty on layoff matters, growing governance concerns, and concerns about confidence in the current administration. Instead, they essentially telegraphed an “if you don’t like it, file a grievance” attitude. On the positive side, we have a new incoming Board Chair in the person of Erin Barnes and a new Vice-Chair in the person of Stephanie Smith. We will continue to pursue developing a relationship with the new KPU Board of Governors.
    
3. Faculty Governance Undermined: we are hearing reports of Deans blocking curriculum from advancing to Senate—either unilaterally or under direction from senior administration. At the same time, Senate is approving program suspensions even when Faculty Councils provide clear, contrary advice. These actions bypass governance and ignore the academic judgment of faculty and faculty governance bodies.

What We’re Doing About It

The KFA is hoping to develop a faculty-led governance training program. Our goal: to equip Faculty Senators, Council members, committee Chairs, and Department Chairs with the tools to push back against administrative overreach and reclaim our role in academic governance.

We need your help. If you’re willing to be trained—and help train others—please contact the KFA.

A series of letters have been sent to the appropriate government ministries in regard to many of these escalating concerns.

While I will be away from the office in July, please be in touch with any questions or interest in the above actions, and I will respond as soon as I am able to.

In solidarity,

Mark Diotte

President, Kwantlen Faculty Association