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History1951 to now As unions do, we post our certification from the Labour Board at the VCCFA office. It's our license to operate. A couple of years ago we noticed that the first version of the "cert" was dated February 1951. We have tried to find out what we can of the union's past, but it is often difficult. For example, it's possible to speculate what went on between 1949 when Vancouver Vocational Institute (VVI) opened and 1951 when the Vocational Instructors' Association (VIA), as we were known for our first forty years, was certified. Unfortunately, as with most of the early years, there's hardly any available documentation. The union's work was then, as it still is, intertwined with the work that goes on through the institution of VCC and its predecessors. The history of the institutions becomes a large part of the personal history of the workers and in turn, of the history of the union. But there is much that is unique to the union. The VCCFA is the result of many transformations, all of them the work of a free, democratic association of education workers. We created the VIA at VVI when it was one of the province's network of vocational schools--two decades before community colleges came into being. Later, we took in the ESL, Special Needs, Adult Basic Education and College Preparatory faculty of the Special Programs Division of what was briefly Vancouver City College, headquartered at the old King Edward High School site at 12th and Oak. It was an integral part of the Vancouver School Board's adult education programme. We did not allow distinctions to be made against our librarians and counsellors and they too became part of the union. We lost colleagues to other institutions, and gained others at different times. All through these transformations we continued the struggle for a voice in the operations of the college, equitable working conditions and fair treatment. The struggles themselves were transforming--from the few high-profile strikes to the daily and weekly work of the members of the executive, stewards and committee representatives. Each of us has their own perception of their own story at VCC and their own perception of the work of the union. Some view the union's work as part their work. Some view it as an advocate and as a service provider. Some view it as a protector of the rights and benefits in the collective agreement. We all know its role as a bargaining agent--protecting, clarifying and enhancing rights and salary. Some view it primarily in its role at VCC. Others have a view of its place in our provincial federation of faculty unions, CIEA (The College-Institute Educators' Association of BC) now called FPSE (Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC) and our alliances with other education unions. Still others are concerned with its place in the wider labour movement and in social movements beyond. All of these views are correct. The union has been, and continues to be, all of these many things and its continuing history is something to celebrate. A process more than an institution. This page will also continue to develop as stories are contributed and
events are cited. We welcome your contributions, please send them in.
1951 - 2001 From VIA to VCCFA: 50 years strong
Our Union Fifty Years Strong - Important Dates
Automotive Technician Program |
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