On Tuesday, November 30, 1982, the SFU Board of Governors passed a motion which stated that the Board approve the policy of establishing the job rate for Administrative/Professional positions at the 60th percentile of the rates paid by a reference group of employers. These employers included large organizations, both public and private, mainly located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. SFU's aims were to attract and retain the best talent. They had used consultants to do thorough research, and Dr. Pedersen, the President at the time, said he had "Confidence in the process and in the market comparisons."
One of APSA's main objectives, ever since SFU passed this motion, was to ensure that the 60th percentile was achieved for job rates.
When APSA conducted their survey for the 2015 round of bargaining, APSA members like you were not satisfied with their salaries.
The comments indicated that members feel salaries at SFU for APSA members are not in line with other University employers, and APSA employees' salaries are not keeping up with the cost of living and should be adjusted accordingly.
The market survey was a primary driver in bargaining for APSA in 2014. In the landmark mediation and arbitration that followed, the arbitrator, Colin Taylor, learned that there were no internal comparators and no external market survey, which, as stated above, compares a set of external organizations with APSA staff salaries.
APSA and SFU received an arbitrated award, which stated that
"The University and APSA recognize that a fair and equitable system of total compensation is important for the successful recruitment and retention of professional and managerial staff. The parties also recognize that while salary makes up an important component of total compensation, the various other benefits and entitlements which are provided to APSA employees form an integrated system of total compensation.
"The University and APSA will establish a Joint Compensation Review Committee (JCRC) consisting of three representatives each from the University and APSA, to consider and make recommendation(s) towards the development and implementation of a total compensation package."
This is where the JCRC originated, and we began work with the University in 2015. APSA has written about this committee many times over the years, and recently, APSA felt that they were covering some ground on the issues that still were outstanding for our members.
Then, on March 5, 2025, SFU's team on the JCRC let APSA know that they felt that the work of the JCRC was defunct. APSA responded, saying that there was work that still needed to be done. Since that date, the JCRC has not met.
APSA appealed to the SFU Board of Governors, the same governing body that had passed the 60th percentile motion in 1982. However, the response was not even to hear APSA's concerns.
"After careful review of your submission, relevant documentation, and in consultation with the University Secretary, I [the board chair] have concluded that the matter falls outside the mandate and responsibilities of the SFU Board of Governors as per the BC University Act and Board Terms of Reference, and that is a matter more appropriately addressed by Management. As such, it will not be brought forward as a Board agenda item."
When asked for further clarification, the Board chair responded:
"While the Board is vested with the Management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the University, the Board's role is focused on governance and strategic oversight. Any operational or ordinary administrative matters, including labour relations issues, are under the Management's purview. This distinction is essential to preserve impartiality and to uphold sound governance practices."
Although APSA sees this response from the Board chair as very disappointing, we will seek other recourse (including legal recourse) to support our members and ensure that they have fair and equitable wages, especially in light of SFU's continued position on the elimination of APSA staff.
If you'd like to learn more about Compensation and the JCRC:
Infographic: Timeline for the Joint Compensation Review Committee
Conversations with APSA President, David Agosti May 2021
Conversations with APSA President, David Agosti
The Fight for Market Salary Parity