Collective Agreement
Our membership
The Faculty Association of Red Deer Polytechnic (FARDP) represents a membership of more than 400 instructors, learning designers, librarians, and counsellors at Red Deer Polytechnic.
Anyone who teaches one or more credit courses is automatically a member and pays monthly association dues. EVERYONE has the same protection in terms of their association. FARDP is here to represent and support ALL members.
Governing Documents
The Post-secondary Learning Act in Alberta requires each institution to have an association representing their faculty. Furthermore, Alberta’s Labour Relations Code requires FARDP to act as the bargaining agent representing ALL faculty at RDP in issues relating to the terms and conditions of their employment.
Vision
Collaborating to foster an engaged community of members in a supportive environment who strive for excellence in ensuring learner success.
Mission
Advocating for faculty through collective bargaining, protection of rights, improvement of working environment, and safeguarding academic freedom. Supporting faculty through their professional journey. Leading progress through service and governance.
Values
Solidarity
Integrity
Collegiality
Inclusivity
Equity
Empowerment
Role of FARDP
The Faculty Association of Red Deer Polytechnic represents all members (part-time, sessional, probationary continuous and continuous faculty) during many processes, including:
- Grievances (contraventions or alleged contraventions of the Collective Agreement)
- Investigations and disciplinary processes
- Accommodation processes, e.g. workplace accommodations on medical grounds
Representation during the grievance process is mandatory. Representation in other contexts is at the member’s request but is strongly recommended.
Note that all faculty employees including part-time, sessional, probationary continuous and continuous members have the right to have a member of the Faculty Association Executive present at ANY meeting the employee believes might be the basis of discipline.
Furthermore, the Polytechnic is required to notify the employee of this right and to notify the President of FARDP or their designate. Meetings for disciplinary purposes must allow reasonable time for the employee to contact the Association and arrange representation.
Any other meeting requests where a faculty member would like association support should be directed to the FARDP president who will always accompany the member if asked. FARDP is here to support all our members.
Professional Development
As a community of learners, we embrace the ideals of lifelong learning as a strategy to continuously develop the effectiveness of faculty. The PD Fund will be managed to optimize opportunities for professional enrichment while maintaining inclusiveness, fairness and accountability.
When to Ask for Help
The FARDP President is always available to help and support faculty. Please consult them if you have any questions or would like to meet to discuss confidential matters.
The Chair of the Negotiations Committee should be consulted about any questions concerning the Collective Agreement.
The Faculty Joint Chair of the Faculty Performance Committee is a key resource for faculty performance questions.
The Faculty Chair of the Faculty Professional Development Committee is a key resource for Professional Development questions.
Frequently asked questions include:
All consultations are confidential. Everyone has the right to feel safe on campus, only members can decide if they feel safe when in the classroom and office space.
FARDP is a member of ACIFA
ACIFA is the Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association, a representative professional association that acts as the provincial voice for its members, the academic staff associations of Alberta’s colleges and technical institutes. Through the collective action and resources of its members, ACIFA promotes the professional and economic well being of college and technical institute faculty in the interest of advancing the quality of post-secondary education in Alberta.
Membership currently includes the Academic Staff or Faculty Associations of the 13 public post-secondary institutions from the original college sector: comprehensive community colleges, polytechnics, and Alberta University of the Arts.