On July 24, 2026, after several months of bargaining and mediation, the parties agreed to recommend a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to their respective principals for ratification (APSA members)/approval (SFU Board of Governors). The APSA board of directors supports this agreement, and APSA will inform members when our information session and voting will take place. 

Timelines

Voting will take place for two weeks from mid-August. We will send you information by email with dates to ask questions about the MoA before you vote.

The MoA amendments to APSA compensation policies include the following:

1. General Wage Increases

General Wage Increases (GWIs): A 3% general wage increase effective on each of July 1, 2025, July 1, 2026, July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028, with full retroactivity from July 1, 2025 to the date of implementation of the new wage rates.

 

2. Benefit Improvements 

  • Fertility treatments. Maximum available for fertility treatments is $25k (request was $50k). (Note: members already have coverage for fertility drugs), effective July 1, 2027 
  • Gender Affirming Care (GAC) Core plan up to $40k (Request is $50k but available maximum for Core plan is only up to $40k) effective July 1, 2026
  • Increase hearing aids from $625 adults/$1,125 dependent children per 60 months to $2k per 60 months for both adults and dependent children effective July 1, 2026
  • One bucket at $1000 per: (1) Acupuncture & Speech effective July 1, 2027
  • One bucket at $1000 per: (2) Chiro & Naturopath & Podiatrist effective July 1, 2027
  • Move Occupational Therapist over to Physio category effective July 1, 2027
  • Psychology max moves from $2000 to $3,000 effective July 1, 2026.
  • Vision: Eye exams coverage at 100% effective July 1, 2026
  • Vision Care $500/24 months increase to $900/24 months effective July 1, 2026 
  • Vaccine coverage $300/year effective July 1, 2026
  • Remove requirement for medical notes for first 24 massages effective July 1, 2026

Dental Coverage Improvements

  • Basic coverage from 85% to 90% coinsurance effective July 1, 2026
  • Gum grafts up to $3000 lifetime amount effective July 1, 2026
  • Major dental 70% coverage, unlimited max, effective July 1, 2026
  • Orthodontics 65% coverage $3k lifetime effective July 1, 2026
  • Dental Implants Under Major Dental $1500 per implant effective July 1, 2026

 

3. Reduction in Steps in Wage Grid

  • Eliminating the first 2 steps on the salary scale effective July 1, 2028. In terms of sequencing, on July 1, 2028, employees will first advance in the grid pursuant to step progression, and then the applicable steps will be eliminated. (Historical Redress).

 

4. Other Compensation Related Matters

  • Promotions Salary Increase Language.
  • Provide individuals with the option to choose 1:1 salary payment for managers for excess hours worked instead of time in lieu.
  • On-call and Call-back
    • Amendments to language.
    • On-call rate: $3/hr, effective on ratification.

 

5. Professional Development Reimbursement

  • Ability to claim professional development expenses twice per year.
  • Increase in annual Professional Development for continuing employees, from $1,100 to $1,200 effective January 1, 2027.

 

6. Job Security and Retrenchment Redress (Severance)

  • Provide continued employer-paid extended health and dental for the severance period

 

7. Leaves with Pay

  • Expanded cultural leave language for Indigenous Employees 
  • Change in language for Court/Jury Leave, Compassionate Care Leave (unpaid) and Leaves Respecting Domestic or Sexual Violence to correspond with the BC Employment Standards Act. 

 

8. One Time Money

  • One-time funds available under mandate to be allocated as a one-time “lump sum” Professional Development payment to both temporary and continuing employees eligible for PD allotments paid January 2027 to those normally eligible for Professional Development under AD 10-11 2.0. This amount will be $225.

 

For confidentiality reasons, you may access the signed agreement when you vote. The MoA will open up in a new tab; you can read it in its entirety before accepting or rejecting this agreement. 

You will also receive an email with dates to sign up for information sessions on this MoA and the link to vote to accept or reject this agreement.