UPDATED: 86 per cent of teachers vote in favour of agreement, classes start Monday

B.C. Teachers’ Federation President Jim Iker announced on Thursday night that 86 per cent or 27,275 teachers voted in favour of the agreement that the BCTF signed with the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association on Tuesday.

He said classes will start on Monday.

 

EDUCATION Minister Peter Fassbender in a statement on Thursday night said: “On behalf of government, I want to thank and congratulate B.C. teachers for voting in favour of the agreement reached earlier this week between the BCTF and BCPSEA bargaining teams.

“We have one of the best public education systems in the world, and that’s in large part because we have such great teachers.

“We can now focus on the path forward. This long-term agreement is an historic opportunity to work together for students – to enhance their education experience and to support their achievements.”

 

THE BC Public School Employers’ Association on Friday announced that the province’s public boards of education had ratified the proposed collective agreement reached with the BC Teachers’ Federation on September 16.

Michael Marchbank, BCPSEA Public Administrator, said: “All 60 public boards of education voted on the agreement and the ratification was unanimous.”

He said the proposed agreement is for a six-year term July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2019.

“Boards of education are pleased that we have been able to achieve agreements with the vast majority of our unionized staff in these challenging times,” said Marchbank. “We hope that this agreement and the processes established under the agreement will contribute to a growing dialogue with the BCTF, so that we can continue to work productively to deal with issues related to teachers’ terms and conditions of employment.

 

SURREY School District Superintendent Jordan Tinney in an update for parents and guardians posted on the school district’s website on Friday said: “On Monday we will open our arms to the community and welcome over 70,000 Surrey students back to school. We know that our teachers, support staff and administrators will begin the process of starting the year with the same professionalism, care, and support that our students have always received in Surrey. We are proud of the work of our staff and we know your children will be well cared for. We have missed them.

“… Our district website has all the information that parents will need about start times in your school. Monday will be a shortened day consistent with our usual routines that we follow on other September opening days.”

 

DELTA School District Superintendent Dianne Turner in a press statement on Friday said: “I am delighted to confirm that school will start on Monday, September 22nd.”

She said: “All students (except kindergarten students) will attend a shortened day. Please visit your school website for exact times for your school. The day will be dedicated to registration and class organization, following our normal opening day routines.”

For Tuesday, she said: “All students (except kindergarten students) will be in full attendance. We will then proceed with school as it normally unfolds the rest of the school year.”

 

B.C. Teachers’ Federation President Jim Iker announced on Tuesday: “This morning, after several days of intensive negotiations, representatives of the BC Teachers’ Federation signed an agreement-in-committee with the BC Public School Employers’ Association. The BCTF Executive Committee is recommending ratification. Teachers will vote on the agreement-in-committee on Thursday, September 18.”

He added: “The tentative agreement will provide new support for students, ensure there are more specialist and classroom teachers in schools working with children, and protect teachers’ constitutional rights as the court case continues.

“Thanks to the courageous stand teachers took on the picket lines and the strong support of parents and other unions, BC teachers were able to get new money invested in schools and reach a mutually agreed-to process to deal with any future court decision on class size, class composition,  and staffing levels.”

Iker outlined that the BCTF Executive Committee is recommending a “yes” vote on Thursday based on several key achievements for teachers and students in the tentative agreement:

* Several hundred new teaching positions each year as a result of an annual education fund that will be used exclusively for bargaining unit members.

* A mutually agreed-to process to address any future Court decision as well as the removal of the contentious Article E.80.

* A significant grievance remedy fund that will be used as a one-time payment to members and will provide improvements in elementary preparation time.

* Improvements in salary and extended health benefits.

* Fair pay for teachers teaching on call for every day they work.

* There are no concessions.

In announcing the Executive Committee’s recommendation, Iker thanked BC teachers for their commitment, persistence, and courage over the last few months. He also thanked the BC Federation of Labour, the Canadian Labour Congress, other unions from BC and across Canada, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, as well as teacher unions— especially those in Ontario, parents, community groups, and concerned citizens for supporting and standing in solidarity with teachers.

“BC’s teachers are proud of the stand we took for fairness and improved learning conditions and we were heartened every step of the way by the steady waves of public support,” said Iker.

 

TEACHERS will get a wage increase of 7.25 per cent in the six-year deal that was reached thanks to mediator Vince Ready.

Premier Christy Clark said the deal means five years of labour peace.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender said plans are being made to make up for the time lost.

 

NDP Leader John Horgan and the party spokesperson for education Rob Fleming said in a statement: “News that a tentative agreement has been reached is great news for students, parents, teachers and everyone who stood with them during this education dispute. I’m pleased that our province’s kids will finally be back in classrooms where they belong after the longest province-wide shutdown of schools in B.C. history.

“Throughout this dispute families and teachers were united in asking for the necessary resources for classrooms that will improve public education. They stood up to a government who seemed more interested in provoking teachers than making schools better for kids.”

 

 

B.C. Teachers’ Federation President Jim Iker announced on Thursday night that 86 per cent or 27,275 teachers voted in favour of the agreement that the BCTF signed with the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association on Tuesday.

He said classes will start on Monday.

 

EDUCATION Minister Peter Fassbender in a statement on Thursday night said: “On behalf of government, I want to thank and congratulate B.C. teachers for voting in favour of the agreement reached earlier this week between the BCTF and BCPSEA bargaining teams.

“We have one of the best public education systems in the world, and that’s in large part because we have such great teachers.

“We can now focus on the path forward. This long-term agreement is an historic opportunity to work together for students – to enhance their education experience and to support their achievements.”

 

SURREY School District Superintendent Jordan Tinney in an update for parents and guardians posted on the school district’s website on Friday said: “On Monday we will open our arms to the community and welcome over 70,000 Surrey students back to school. We know that our teachers, support staff and administrators will begin the process of starting the year with the same professionalism, care, and support that our students have always received in Surrey. We are proud of the work of our staff and we know your children will be well cared for. We have missed them.

“… Our district website has all the information that parents will need about start times in your school. Monday will be a shortened day consistent with our usual routines that we follow on other September opening days.”

 

DELTA School District Superintendent Dianne Turner in a press statement on Friday said: “I am delighted to confirm that school will start on Monday, September 22nd.”

She said: “All students (except kindergarten students) will attend a shortened day. Please visit your school website for exact times for your school. The day will be dedicated to registration and class organization, following our normal opening day routines.”

For Tuesday, she said: “All students (except kindergarten students) will be in full attendance. We will then proceed with school as it normally unfolds the rest of the school year.”

 

B.C. Teachers’ Federation President Jim Iker announced on Tuesday: “This morning, after several days of intensive negotiations, representatives of the BC Teachers’ Federation signed an agreement-in-committee with the BC Public School Employers’ Association. The BCTF Executive Committee is recommending ratification. Teachers will vote on the agreement-in-committee on Thursday, September 18.”

He added: “The tentative agreement will provide new support for students, ensure there are more specialist and classroom teachers in schools working with children, and protect teachers’ constitutional rights as the court case continues.

“Thanks to the courageous stand teachers took on the picket lines and the strong support of parents and other unions, BC teachers were able to get new money invested in schools and reach a mutually agreed-to process to deal with any future court decision on class size, class composition,  and staffing levels.”

Iker outlined that the BCTF Executive Committee is recommending a “yes” vote on Thursday based on several key achievements for teachers and students in the tentative agreement:

* Several hundred new teaching positions each year as a result of an annual education fund that will be used exclusively for bargaining unit members.

* A mutually agreed-to process to address any future Court decision as well as the removal of the contentious Article E.80.

* A significant grievance remedy fund that will be used as a one-time payment to members and will provide improvements in elementary preparation time.

* Improvements in salary and extended health benefits.

* Fair pay for teachers teaching on call for every day they work.

* There are no concessions.

In announcing the Executive Committee’s recommendation, Iker thanked BC teachers for their commitment, persistence, and courage over the last few months. He also thanked the BC Federation of Labour, the Canadian Labour Congress, other unions from BC and across Canada, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, as well as teacher unions— especially those in Ontario, parents, community groups, and concerned citizens for supporting and standing in solidarity with teachers.

“BC’s teachers are proud of the stand we took for fairness and improved learning conditions and we were heartened every step of the way by the steady waves of public support,” said Iker.

 

TEACHERS will get a wage increase of 7.25 per cent in the six-year deal that was reached thanks to mediator Vince Ready.

Premier Christy Clark said the deal means five years of labour peace.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender said plans are being made to make up for the time lost.

 

NDP Leader John Horgan and the party spokesperson for education Rob Fleming said in a statement: “News that a tentative agreement has been reached is great news for students, parents, teachers and everyone who stood with them during this education dispute. I’m pleased that our province’s kids will finally be back in classrooms where they belong after the longest province-wide shutdown of schools in B.C. history.

“Throughout this dispute families and teachers were united in asking for the necessary resources for classrooms that will improve public education. They stood up to a government who seemed more interested in provoking teachers than making schools better for kids.”