Labour Relations Program for Academic Leaders

PSEA is pleased to offer a new program specifically designed for people leaders who manage faculty. This program has been developed in extensive consultation with experienced academic leaders and human resources experts from the sector and was piloted in August 2024 to 22 participants from the sector

DESCRIPTION

This program will give priority to academic leaders with fewer than two years of experience in an excluded academic leadership role (Typically Dean/Associate Dean/Director level) and/or who are new to working in BC.

During the program, participant work with leaders from across the sector to navigate the challenges of what they are expected to know and be able to do. The program supports leaders in managing the shift from peer to leader and from union member to excluded employee. The intensive program begins with a four-day in-person component in August 2025 and a half-day virtual session in October 2025. This cohort-based program requires full participation in all components.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Through interactive sessions, with the support of expert facilitators from academic, legal, and labour relations fields, this program enables participants to:

Appreciate what the transition from union member to management entails, personally and professionally.
Recognize when and how to draw upon labour relations resources and guidance.
Identify legal frameworks, policies, employer duties, limitations, and pitfalls when managing within a complex unionized post-secondary environment.
Describe the differences and connections between leadership and management in a unionized workplace.
Examine their biases, assumptions, triggers, and strengths as they apply to the labour relations aspects of their role.
Proactively build purposeful, collaborative relationships to create a productive, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Manage employee performance, including providing timely feedback, setting expectations, applying progressive discipline, and knowing when to investigate.
Engage confidently and constructively in disagreement or conflict, drawing on various strategies and practices.

Format: In-person and Zoom

Dates:

In-person August 18 – 21, 2025
Time: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm PST (daily)
Zoom call Friday, October 17, 2025,
Time: 9 am to noon PST

Location: PSEA Office, 3rd floor 2889 East 12th Ave., Vancouver

Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm daily

Cost:

Local Participants: $750.00 plus GST
Discounted Rate for 2+ Participants from the Same Institution: $650.00 plus GST
Non-Local Participants: $500.00 plus GST

Light Breakfast and Lunch provided.

Facilitator(s): Katie Cobban, PSEA Legal Counsel; Tom Teasdale, PSEA Director of Labour Relations; senior Dean from the sector; experts from the sector participate in panels throughout the workshop

If you require assistance with hotel rates or recommendations, please email learning@psea.bc.ca

To Register

Feedback from pilot program participants included::

“These are challenging times for the post-secondary sector. When I got back to work, I was faced with leading some major change initiatives. The program prepared me by providing a thorough overview of the collective agreement, labour relations practices, and the key communication and change management skills required to provide strong, sound leadership. Key takeaways included the importance of building and maintaining relationships, preparing for difficult conversations, and the value of knowing you are part of a larger community.”

“I appreciated the networking and knowing I am not alone. It helped me to create a community and feel less isolated. The program validated my impressions regarding the challenges and opportunities with my institution’s current Collective Agreement and union dynamics. The program provided me with just the overall confidence boost I needed!”