Talks have been ongoing for more than a year for a new contract for teachers with no deal so far. But, because of a mediator-imposed media blackout, neither side is commenting publicly about the on-going negotiations.
The B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) have been back at the table as recently as Thursday and Friday with an “experienced mediator,” David Schaub, “actively negotiating” to hammer out the contract, explained Minister of Education Rob Fleming.
“I think the quiet that we’re hearing around the negotiating table is encouraging – much better than what we’re seeing in other provinces where there’s active school disruptions and breakdown in negotiations,” Fleming told the Richmond News.
The BCTF has been asking for a larger pay increase than the two per cent offered for three years, both to encourage recruitment and retention of teachers, but they are also concerned about changes to class size and composition.
The union won a court battle with the province in 2016 to restore class size and composition language to their contracts, something the government had stripped away in 2002.
But in the current negotiations, BCPSEA, which represents boards of education, has proposed updating that language. BCPSEA has said, however, they would guarantee there would be no fewer teachers with the new language they are proposing.
Earlier this year, the BCTF developed and approved a four-phase plan for job action, starting with withdrawing administrative tasks to a full-on strike that could be put in place if mediation goes sideways.
“The BCTF Representative Assembly approved a multi-phase contingency plan to help build pressure on the bargaining table that will be put to members for a vote if and when mediation concludes, and the Executive Committee determines there is a need, and that appropriate provincial discussion and consultation has occurred,” BCTF president Teri Mooring said in a letter to teachers across the province in early February.
Fleming, meanwhile, said the mediator has brought the two parties close together and he hopes the teachers will get a negotiated settlement like other public sector unions.
He said he’s heard both from the government and union sides that they want to successfully conclude talks, while respecting the media blackout.
“I think those are both good signs that we’re working towards getting a deal done, so I want to remain cautiously optimistic,” Fleming said.
