June 23, 2014 Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter Government is trying to knock us off our game. They are trying to confuse us and the public with statistics, ads, and other kinds of information. Teachers, however, are strong and resolved. We are clear and we know what needs to happen: Teachers need a fair deal on salary. We have not had a raise since 2010. Kids deserve better support. Class size, class composition, and staffing levels for specialist teachers must be improved. BC’s per-student funding second-worst in the country. It’s time for government to reinvest in education. These are the three key reasons why we need to keep our picket lines strong and well organized. Public support has been terrific and is holding. Strong picket lines show both the public and the government that we are still determined and undeterred. We know that going on strike is never easy. Besides losing pay, strikes can add to stress and worry. Employers never give rights to workers without workers fighting to get them. And that’s what we’re in right now, a fight not only to better ourselves as teachers, but to improve and protect what we love to do, teaching children in a properly funded public education system. We’re also protecting what we’ve won in the courts—twice! Government needs to “get in the zone” It was not lost on us that Premier Christy Clark stood in an industrial setting wearing her hard hat responding to questions about the BCTF’s call for mediation. Many observers feel that Clark poisoned the well with her comment that “no credible mediator” would step in at this point. Clark, Education Minister Peter Fassbender and BCPSEA chief negotiator Peter Cameron are constantly repeating that the two parties are “too far apart” for mediation to work. The whole purpose of mediation is to find common ground when the parties are apart. Quite frankly, we see this line as a ruse to sow the seeds of doubt in the minds of teachers and the public. Furthermore, the BCTF did revise its salary proposal. BCPSEA responded that it wasn’t good enough. Then we proposed a class-size and class-composition fund. BCPSEA did not even respond to this proposal. Their mantra of “too far apart” has become tiresome and unhelpful and begs the question: are BCPSEA and the government really interested in reaching a deal? At this point, it is government that needs to get in the zone—in particular, on funding necessary to meaningfully address classroom conditions. We moved to them on salary, now they need to move to us. Government's excuse for not bargaining Over the weekend, social media was buzzing with links to videos, info-graphics, and other creative responses to the government’s full-page ad in Friday’s 24 Hours newspaper on the “zone of affordability.” What is a “zone of affordability” anyway? To us, it sounds like lingo from the Fraser Institute or an inexplicable slogan from an expensive public relations firm. And, as stated previously it’s government that needs to get into the zone. However, teachers and the public were quick on the mark to respond to the misleading ad with spoofs of their own. Here are a few of the many responses: Here’s a great graphic that points out the real tragedies of the Liberal’s “affordability zone.” One teacher published a clever math lesson for BCPSEA video debunking the government’s numbers. Jim Nelson, educator and writer, published a blog this past weekend listing recent wage settlements in both the private and public sector in BC. Andrew Weaver, Green Party MLA, gave the government a failing grade on how they came up with the math. Vince Ready occupied with truckers’ dispute Some reports have questioned why the BCTF would propose Vince Ready as a mediator without confirming his availability first. BCTF President Jim Iker talked with Vince Ready on two occasions and he said although he was very busy, he did not rule out taking on our mediation. Iker also discussed mediation with BCPESEA negotiator Peter Cameron, who also expressed concern that Ready might not be available until later in the week. Both sides were hoping for a Monday start. However, on Sunday Ready contacted Iker to say he would be unable to take on the mediation citing prior commitments. Unfortunately, the truckers’ dispute with Port Metro Vancouver has heated up again. Just because Ready is not available does not mean mediation is no longer an option. The BCTF will continue to pursue it as a means of resolving our dispute. We believe that if mediation is to work, the government and its representatives need to end their rhetoric, take the process seriously, and move off their entrenched positions. Upcoming rallies Monday, June 23 4:00 p.m. NANAIMO - March from Wall Street to Maffeo Sutton Park for a 5:00 p.m. rally Tuesday, June 24 6:00 p.m. PRINCE GEORGE—2100 Ferry Ave Wednesday, June 25 4:00 p.m. POWELL RIVER—Old Arena Site at Willingdon Beach 5:00 p.m. KAMLOOPS—Riverside Park Band Shell Thursday, June 26  1:00 p.m. VICTORIA—Provincial Legislature   Have you called your MLA? Many of you have sent letters to Premier Clark, Minister Fassbender, MLAs, and trustees, calling on them to agree to mediation. We believe all of your efforts helped them to say yes. Please keep up the pressure. If you haven’t contacted your MLA or trustees yet, please do so today. If you already have, now is a good time to follow up with a phone call or an in-person visit. There is also a new poster saying “We support teachers” on the BCTF website that you can plaster around the community, encourage local businesses and shops to display in their windows, etc. Thank you once again for all your tremendous work towards a fair deal for teachers and better support for kids. Here are the links to contact MLAs and school districts. Your local office will have direct contact information for trustees.

Salary grid - actual earnings

Will I make back salary lost during job action when we get a settlement?
In 2005 teachers across BC stood together to demand a fair deal with government. Teachers withdrew service for two weeks and sacrificed income. The following charts detail the experience for a member at category 5 maximum in 05/06.

School Year			Negotiated Increase			Annual Salary (Cat. 5 max)			Negotiated 2% SIP Allowance			Total (salary + allowance)			Actual Salary & Allowance gain/year compared to 05/06 Salary
05/06						$63,737						$63,737
06/07			2.5%			$65,719			$1,314			$67,033			$3,296
07/08			2.5%			$67,362			$1,347			$68,709			$4,972
08/09			5.5%			$71,117			$1,422			$72,539			$8,802
09/10			2.5%			$72,895			$1,458			$74,353			$10,616
10/11			2.0%			$74,353			$1,487			$75,840			$12,103
Total			15%												$39,789

** Negotiated increase in 08/09 included 3.0% Grid Harmonization + 2.5% = 5.5% total increase

Add in 06/07 Signing Bonus	+ $4,000
Total Negotiated Salary & Allowance gain between 05/06 to 10/11	$43,789
$ lost for 2 weeks withdrawal of service in 05/06	- $3,500
Net Negotiated Salary & Allowance gain between 05/06 to 10/11	$40,289

Even after two more years of zeroes, this teacher still sees huge net gains from the withdrawal of service in 05/06.

School Year			Negotiated Increase			Annual Salary (Cat. 5 max)			Negotiated 2% SIP Allowance			Total (salary + allowance)			Actual Salary & Allowance gain/year compared to 05/06 Salary
05/06						$63,737						$63,737
11/12			0%			$74,353			$1,487			$75,840			$12,103
12/13			0%			$74,353			$1,487			$75,840			$12,103
Total			0%												$24,206

$ lost for 3 days withdrawal of service in 11/12	-$1,162
Net Negotiated Salary & Allowance gain 11/12 to 12/13 (in comparison to 05/06 salary)	$23,044
Net Negotiated Salary & Allowance gain between 05/06 to 10/11	+$40,289
Net Negotiated Salary & Allowance gain between 05/06 to 12/13	$63,333

• 􏰀  Between 05/06 and 12/13 a category 5 max teacher has withdrawn their service for 13 days at a cost of $4,662.
  
• 􏰀  During the same period that teacher saw a net increase in their total earnings of $63,333.
  When teachers stand together in an effort to reach a negotiated settlement we make a better tomorrow for every member of our union.
  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    June 12, 2014

BCTF gives notice to escalate to full-scale strike on June 17
 

Following a historic and decisive province-wide 86% vote that saw the BCTF’s highest ever turnout, the BC Teachers’ Federation has served notice to escalate job action on Tuesday, June 17 to a full withdrawal of services, BCTF President Jim Iker announced today.

“This week’s vote made it clear that BC teachers care deeply about the state of public education and their ability to meet the needs of all their students,” said Iker. “As well, it showed how firmly teachers are committed to doing what’s necessary to reach a fair deal.

“After 12 years of deep cuts, 3,500 teaching positions lost, and 200 schools closed, we are urging this government to reinvest in public education. Teachers are doing their utmost in an underfunded and under-resourced system, but students are not getting the support or one-on-one time they need. Our kids deserve so much more.

“There are still several days left, during which both sides can hunker down, reach a settlement, avoid a full-scale strike, and end the government’s lockout. We’re ready to move, but my message to Christy Clark is, come to the table with new funding, an open mind, and the flexibility needed to reach a fair settlement that will support teachers and students.”

Iker explained that the BCTF has provided the employer with notice that the full withdrawal of services will commence on Tuesday, June 17. In addition, the BCTF has provided notice that Stage 2 job action will be extended to Monday, June 16, with all teachers participating in study sessions province-wide. Teachers will gather together off school property. Schools will not be picketed, but teachers will not be on site.

For the balance of this week, rotating strikes will continue according to the schedule announced earlier. Teachers remain locked out by their employer during recess, lunch, and 45 minutes before and after school, preventing them from doing their regular work during lockout hours.

“To get a fair deal and avert a full-scale strike, BC teachers are looking for improvements to class size, class composition, and staffing levels for specialist teachers to increase one-on-one time for students,” said Iker. “In addition to improvements to student learning conditions, a fair deal must also include a fair wage increase for teachers.”

May 28, 2014

As President of the Peace River North Teachers' Association, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the many gestures and acts of kindness the community of Fort St. John and area gave to teachers today while they were on the picket line. Thank you to CUPE members who are standing strong with teachers as we oppose a government that has little respect for education and educators. Teachers were brought gifts of food from many of you today - a huge thank you to the fire fighters, parents, students, retired teachers, teachers of leave, general public, and many businesses who brought donuts, Tim bits, ice caps, coffee, water, muffins, pizza, apples, and so much more to show you are standing with us during this time. Your generosity was overwhelming. Just so everyone knows, we will be on the picket line again on Thursday, June 5th. We will continue to keep calm, but remain strong!

Christy Clark’s lockout creates confusion
May 26, 2014
Why is BCPSEA locking out teachers?
The lockout appears to be a retaliatory move on behalf of BCPSEA. We are vocal advocates for improvements in public education including increased funding, better support for our students, and the return of class size, class composition, and staffing levels for specialist teachers. We also want a fair-wage increase after taking zero wage increases the last two years.
How can BCPSEA dock teachers’ pay? Is this allowed?
BCPSEA first said they would charge the BCTF $5 million per month to pay for the employer’s share of teacher benefits premiums while we conduct the Stage 1 job action. Then they said they would not do that and instead would cut every teachers’ pay by 5%. When we announced we were shifting to Stage 2 rotating strikes, they said they were going to partially lock teachers out and dock our pay by 10% for the days we were working. They want parents and the public to believe that if teachers are partially locked out that means teachers are not working and therefore deserve to be paid less. That is one of the arguments they will use at the Labour Relations Board. An LRB hearing is scheduled for May 29.
Why did BCPSEA say the lockout was a living document that needed tweaking?
The terms of the lockout are contradictory, confusing, and chaotic. Saying it needed tweaking was one way of covering up that the lockout doesn’t make much sense. It is poorly conceived and appears to have been hastily written by someone who is unfamiliar with day-to-day life in schools.
Why is it chaotic?
For one, the lockout notice says teachers cannot enter their workplaces earlier that 45 minutes before the bell. Teachers also must leave their schools no later than 45 minutes after the dismissal bell. The lockout also stipulates that teachers cannot work with students during lunch or recess or communicate with parents during that time either.
Many after school extra-curricular activities last longer than 45 minutes. The same goes for morning activities. Clubs and other kinds of small group activities are often scheduled during lunch. If a teacher is locked out at these times, they can’t very well work with kids then.
Didn’t BCPSEA say teachers could volunteer?
Yes, but they are contradicting their very own lockout. On the one hand they say, teachers can

carry out extra-curricular activities because they say extra-curricular is voluntary. But then they say they are docking teachers’ pay because teachers cannot work during the lockout—the very time that teachers have for extra-curricular. How can they dock teachers’ pay for activities they acknowledge are voluntary? That is one example of why the lockout notice is confusing and illogical.
What about field trips? What about working during lunchtime?
Many field trips are full-day affairs. The lockout says teachers cannot work at lunch so locking teachers out at lunchtime jeopardizes field trips. Following the terms of BCPSEA’s lockout, who would supervise the students at lunchtime? If teachers stay and supervise, then they could become personally liable for any situation. In addition, it is unclear whether any WorkSafeBC coverage would be in effect because the teacher would not be officially working. The lockout puts both teachers and their students in a precarious position.
What else should I know about the lockout?
The lockout also says that teachers cannot do professional development on their own time, only during a scheduled non-instructional day. This makes no sense either. Does it mean a teacher cannot read a professional article, talk about it with other teachers, attend a workshop on a Saturday morning? Again, teachers are being docked pay for activities they do on their own time. And for activities that help us to continue to grow as teachers.
The lockout also prohibits teachers from meeting to plan and organize next year’s classes. This does not bode well for the coming school year.
Why are they locking out teachers the last three days of school?
To save money and to act punitively. It is a terrible way to end the school year.
How are teachers feeling about this whole thing?
Not great. The lockout will damage relationships between school districts and the teachers they employ. First, the collective agreement was stripped in 2002. From then until now, thousands of teaching jobs throughout the province have been cut. Schools have been closed. We’ve seen an ongoing and steady underfunding of public education. We live it everyday and see how it affects our students. Waiting lists for services are the norm. Lots of kids miss out on the help they need. The lockout adds insult to injury. Please tell Christy Clark and Peter Fassbender and local school trustees to do the right thing. Bargain in good faith and fund public education the way it deserves.
SC:unifor/vt:tfeu 140526

 Information letters for parents in English, French, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), and Punjabi regarding the recent job action are available by clicking on the link:

  http://www.bctf.ca/parents.aspx