Parents should make arrangements for their kids for tomorrow, June 17.
The B.C. Public School Employers’ Association and the B.C. Teachers’ Federation didn’t reach an agreement this weekend.
BCTF president Jim Iker told the media Monday morning that the BCTF had revised its contract proposals.
- The BCTF proposed a salary increase of eight per cent over five years. It had tabled an increase of 12.5 per cent to 14 per cent, depending on cost of living increases, over four years, June 2.
- The BCTF requested a signing bonus of $5,000. BCPSEA previously proposed a $1,200 bonus if a settlement was reached before the end of June.
- The BCTF proposed two funds to help with class size and composition while B.C. government appeals the B.C. Supreme Court decision reached in January that said the government must restore collective bargaining provisions that relate to class size and composition and the number of supports provided in classes for special needs. The January decision said language would be retroactively returned to the collective agreement but would likely be the subject of ongoing collective bargaining.
Iker said the BCPSEA reduced its previous wage proposal from 7.25 per cent to seven per cent.
“It’s almost unheard of to backtrack on a wage offer,” he said.
Iker said the BCTF tabled its revised proposals Friday. He said the parties did not bargain throughout the weekend as Education Minister Peter Fassbender had pledged, but, instead, BCPSEA tabled its offer Sunday evening.
Fassbender said in a press release Monday morning “BCPSEA tabled a significant, affordable and creative set of proposals to help end the stalemate.
“They tabled a comprehensive settlement that includes an improved wage offer and commits to realistic and flexible solutions to address class composition.”
Iker said instead of dealing with class size, composition and the number of specialist teachers, BCPSEA recommended a fact-finding committee.
Fassbender said the government’s goal continues to be to reach an agreement by June 30.
Chief negotiator for BCPSEA Peter Cameron will brief media on its current proposals today at 1:15 p.m.
