B.C. School employers overwhelmingly approve new teacher's deal
By Nelson Daily Staff
The BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the province’s public boards of education have ratified the tentative collective agreement reached with the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) on June 26 said Melanie Joy, Chair of the BCPSEA Board.
“Representatives of boards of education attended a meeting in Richmond today to discuss the agreement and conduct the vote,” said Joy in a written press release.
“Of the 85% of total votes cast, 100% were in favour of the agreement.”
The B.C. Teachers Federation announced last week its members approved the deal by 75 percent.
However, only 21,044 teachers voted — 52 per cent — which is a stark contrast from the 90 percent of teachers who voted at the beginning of the recent school year in favour of the “teach only” job action.
The proposed agreement, reached with the assistance of government-appointed mediator Dr. Charles Jago, is for a two-year term July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013.
The contract includes improved benefits and seniority provisions for teacher but no wage increases.
The employers’ association bargained under a provincial government “net zero” mandate that said any wage increases must be offset by claw-backs elsewhere in the contract.
“Boards of education are pleased that we have been able to achieve agreements with all of our unionized staff in these challenging times,” said Joy.
“We hope that this agreement and the processes established under the agreement will contribute to a growing dialogue between the BCTF and ourselves, so that we can continue to work productively to deal with issues related to teachers’ terms and conditions of employment.”
“We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contributions of all our employees — principals and vice principals, senior management, other district exempt staff, teachers, and unionized support staff — to the public education system,” Joy said.
“I think we are all looking forward to a relaxing summer and a return to school in September with renewed focus on providing the best possible educational experience for our students.”
BCPSEA is the accredited bargaining agent for the province’s 60 public boards of education.
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