In April 2023, CUPE Local 2278 filed an application with the British Columbia Labour Relations Board, seeking to vary its existing bargaining unit to include GRAs (the "Variance Application").
The BC Labour Relations Board has now released their decision dismissing the Variance Application and denying the inclusion of the GRAs in the bargaining unit. The decision accepts the arguments of the university that GRAs are not employees of the university. Instead, GRAs allow for distribution of research funding intended to financially support graduate students in tasks and responsibilities relevant to completing their degree requirements.
Please note the Union has appealed the GRA decision. Negotiations between UBC and the Union on the integration of Graduate Academic Assistants (GAAs) are ongoing.
Any questions about the correct classification of graduate students should be directed to HR representatives of academic units.