Teachers will vote whether to support the tentative deal reached on Tuesday. This could mean students going back to school next Monday. File photo
Ecstatic.
That’s how School District 53 chair Marieze Tarr feels about the new tentative agreement between BC teachers and the government, which could see students back to school next Monday.
Teachers are expected to vote on Thursday whether or not to ratify the deal.
“This is something everyone was wanting – a negotiated settlement as opposed to binding arbitration or legislation,” Tarr said on Tuesday.
“I heard it will be a six-year contract, so we’ll have labour peace for six years.”
Tarr spoke to teachers on the picket line Tuesday and reported that all of them are very happy.
“Everyone is excited to get back in the classroom,” the chair noted.
Tarr said she believes the relationship with teachers will still be a good one considering it’s a fresh start to the school year.
Superintendent of Schools Bev Young agreed that the announcement is wonderful news, adding that she is relieved.
Sylvia Slater, president of the South Okanagan Similkameen Teachers’ Union, said she is cautiously optimistic about the deal.
“I haven’t yet seen all of the language but I do know teachers, students and parents want schools open.”
Slater said even if there are significant improvements to the Learning Improvement Fund, complex class composition issues will remain.
“Public education is underfunded in many more areas than just class size and composition. Money for supplies and resources including equipment, textbooks and software still remains too low and doesn’t even keep up with inflation.”
Slater said school shop classes are still working with equipment from the 1980s and earlier. “Cars have changed dramatically since then.”
Slater noted that an influx of money is needed as each change comes, but that just isn’t happening.
Teresa Rezansoff, president of the BC School Trustees Association, said the tentative deal is great news for students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff and trustees.
“The immediate goal is to get students back in classes as quickly as possible. We must then focus on the critical work of strengthening our public education system and rebuilding trust,” Rezansoff said.
In a news conference on Tuesday, BC Premier Christy Clark said a negotiated settlement is a “remarkable achievement after 30 years of dysfunction.”
Clark confirmed the six-year proposed contract, which will give teachers and the government time to improve education for students.
“We can work together now rather than constant fighting.”
Clark thanked parents and students for their patience during this “painful” disruption.
The premier said the tentative deal gives teachers a fair wage increase and an investment in classroom composition and teacher support. She stressed that all of this comes without raising taxes or putting the government in a deficit position.
Clark pointed out that students could be back in class by next Monday.
During question period, the premier was asked how much the deal would cost the taxpayer.
Clark said she couldn’t disclose the details until teachers had a chance to review them. “It is within our fiscal plan,” she noted.
Responding to questions about outstanding legal issues, Clark said the agreement will allow the government to settle grievances. But she stated the existing court case (on bargaining rights) will continue.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender responded to a concern about how the government will make up for the five weeks that students have been out of school.
He said school district superintendents will be working on those plans and will be making announcements.
“We guarantee that students’ educational journeys will be kept whole,” Fassbender said.
