Teachers began voting March 4 and continue today (March 5) to determine if they will go on strike for a fair collective agreement.
Sylvia Slater, president of the South Okanagan Similkameen Teachers’ Union, said the strike vote is a direct response to the latest actions by the BC government. The government appealed a recent BC Supreme Court ruling that restored teachers’ rights to bargain on class size, composition and staffing levels. (This ruling has been placed in limbo until the appeal is heard.)
“We want to negotiate class size, composition and specialist teachers ratios and get better supports for students,” Slater said.
In addition, she noted the government is asking teachers to “accept more zeros” and lock into a “vague” 10-year deal, while other public sector workers received 3.5 to four per cent increases over the last two years.
“We want a fair salary increase but we don’t want a 10-year deal.”
The results of the vote are expected to be made public on March 6.
Slater said once a successful strike vote is taken, the BC Teachers’ Federation has 90 days to activate it with job action.
“If job action is needed it will occur in stages, but initial action will not include immediate school closures or disruption for students in the classroom,” Slater said.
The BC government wants the appeal court to strike down the ruling, arguing that school boards would need to hire more teachers to accommodate the deleted clauses in the contract.
In 2002 the Liberal government removed numerous contract clauses relating to class size and composition.
Bev Young, district superintendent of schools, said they are concerned about any labour disruption that may impact student programs as well as district operations.
She noted the complexity of implementing 12- year-old language that may not reflect current educational needs or practices is complex.
“It is important that the BC Teachers’ Federation and the BC Public School Employees’ Association resolve the matters of class size and composition at the bargaining table.”
Young said it is very likely that the district will have to hire additional teachers if amendments to the collective agreement are bargained. She added it would be ideal if a new agreement can be negotiated prior to the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.
Young said the district welcomes any improvements to learning conditions for students. But she pointed out the impact of a new agreement (including class size and composition) can only be assessed once it is known if the amendments will be funded by the provincial government.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
