Liberal promise of 10-year deal with teachers makes BCTF anxious

[J529]

http://blogs.vancouv...s-bctf-anxious/

The unexpected Liberal victory has sparked concern about Premier Christy Clark‘s goal of a 10-year contract with the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF).

The union wasn’t keen on the idea when it was floated in January,but few gave it much thought because polls were suggesting the Liberals wouldn’t be around for another term. At the time,BCTF president Susan Lambert described the idea as ludicrous.

Nevertheless, the proposal was part of the Liberal party platform and is now likely to get attention.

While everyone savours the idea of labour peace in B.C. public schools, Lambert said the BCTF wouldn’t sign a 10-year collective agreement unless the government offered improvements to salaries and benefits and addressed teacher concerns about working and learning conditions.

“Anything is possible but . . . there has to be political will toaddress the issuesthat teachers say arecritical to the success of public education,” she said Wednesday. If the intent is simply to extend the current contract for 10 years, “that’s unacceptable to us.”

Former education minister Don McRae wasn’t willing to make any commitment when he met union officials Feb. 14, Lambert said. That leaves some wondering if the government wants a 10-year deal badly enough to impose it through legislation.

That’s still premature. The BCTF and public school employers are heading back to the bargaining table next week and there is some time before the union’s contract expires June 30. But Lambert said progress has been difficult given the government’s co-operative gains mandate for public-sector contracts (which says modest wage increases are possible only if the cost is offset by productivity improvements).

Lambert says there is nothing left to squeeze, and many school trustees agree.

Still, she expressed hope Wednesday that the BCTF and the new Liberal government can develop a better relationship than the one they’ve had for the past 12 years. “I hope with this new mandate there will be a sense of security that will allow a mature relationship to develop – one that’s mutually respectful.”

Labour peace will also require a deal with support staff, many of whom are represented by CUPE. Those contract talks broke down in late April and the union has been holding strike votes.

[lowest common denominator]

BCTF is a Cancer on society. You think moost of these decent teachers who have worked hard their whole lives with the intent of doing what's right for the children agree with the BCTF and their self

propagating agenda agree with it?? No.

But god forbid they stand out from the herd andd speak what the majority are thinking andwhat we all know would be right???? No, cuz if you are part of it, the last thingyou wantto do is stand out and make oyurself a target.

BCTF= NDP = Nfg

"Think of the children" 90%+ of BC's education budget goes directly to teachers salaries. Think about that.

I would love to have 2 weeks+ off at xmas, then a week + at easter,oh sweet, here comes summer!!! WAhhhh, think of the children/phukoff

[KoreanHockeyFan]

BCTF is a Cancer on society. You think moost of these decent teachers who have worked hard their whole lives with the intent of doing what's right for the children agree with the BCTF and their self

propagating agenda agree with it?? No.

But god forbid they stand out from the herd andd speak what the majority are thinking andwhat we all know would be right???? No, cuz if you are part of it, the last thingyou wantto do is stand out and make oyurself a target.

BCTF= NDP = Nfg

"Think of the children" 90%+ of BC's education budget goes directly to teachers salaries. Think about that.

I would love to have 2 weeks+ off at xmas, then a week + at easter,oh sweet, here comes summer!!! WAhhhh, think of the children/phukoff

[Common sense]

I bet you the BCNDP were already bending over Tuesday 7:59pm, waiting for the BCTF to have it their way with them.

[J529]

BCTF is a Cancer on society. You think moost of these decent teachers who have worked hard their whole lives with the intent of doing what's right for the children agree with the BCTF and their self

propagating agenda agree with it?? No.

But god forbid they stand out from the herd andd speak what the majority are thinking andwhat we all know would be right???? No, cuz if you are part of it, the last thingyou wantto do is stand out and make oyurself a target.

BCTF= NDP = Nfg

"Think of the children" 90%+ of BC's education budget goes directly to teachers salaries. Think about that.

I would love to have 2 weeks+ off at xmas, then a week + at easter,oh sweet, here comes summer!!! WAhhhh, think of the children/phukoff

[J529]

I bet you the BCNDP were already bending over Tuesday 7:59pm, waiting for the BCTF to have it their way with them.

[KoreanHockeyFan]

It was evident when Dix promised to spend $265 million to hire new teachers, counsellors, education assistant and librarians. That money would have been used to hire up to 1,000 speciaized classroom assistants.

NDP = No Dix Premier

[J529]

Oh no... specialized classroom assistants. It's not like kids need to have a good education or anything...

[Lockout Casualty]

I bet you the BCNDP were already bending over Tuesday 7:59pm, waiting for the BCTF to have it their way with them.

[KoreanHockeyFan]

Do kids ever go to school nowadays? I see them nearly every day either getting out early or at the malls.

The amount of Pro-D Days they get is beyond ridicious.

[Lockout Casualty]

Yeah I know right? Damn kids, they don't deserve schools. Just let them rot in the real world and live off welfare and the rest of society, and then we'll have the right to keep complaining about moochers in society and cut off social programs completely!

[J529]

Kids? What have they ever done for us?

[Dellins]

Been disrespectful to their elders.

[KoreanHockeyFan]

Kids? What have they ever done for us?

[Common sense]

How much would you like to bet and how will you prove it?

[nucklehead]

Kids? What have they ever done for us?

[Lockout Casualty]

I could bet $100, but it's inconsequential seeing as this province is still BC Liberal.

[Heretic]

BCTF is a Cancer on society. You think moost of these decent teachers who have worked hard their whole lives with the intent of doing what's right for the children agree with the BCTF and their self

propagating agenda agree with it?? No.

But god forbid they stand out from the herd andd speak what the majority are thinking andwhat we all know would be right???? No, cuz if you are part of it, the last thingyou wantto do is stand out and make oyurself a target.

BCTF= NDP = Nfg

"Think of the children" 90%+ of BC's education budget goes directly to teachers salaries. Think about that.

I would love to have 2 weeks+ off at xmas, then a week + at easter,oh sweet, here comes summer!!! WAhhhh, think of the children/phukoff

[Heretic]

Just finished reading the rest of the comments in this thread and I have come to the following conclusion.

Cutting back teachers and increasing classroom size was a big mistake.

[canucks_dynasty]

I'd be OK for a wage increase for the teachers. Who doesn't want more money??? Plus they have to put up with potty mouthed self entitled brats every Monday to Friday. It's almost like hazard pay.

PS: I'm not a teacher.