Employer says BCTF's demands are higher than settlements reached with other public-sector unions

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      The B.C. Public School Employers' Association says that the B.C. Teachers' Federation's wage and benefit demands exceed those agreed to by other public-sector unions.

      In an August 31 statement released following the breakdown of mediation, the BCPSEA also claimed that the difference is $166 million over five years.

      Moreover, the employer said that a $5,000 signing bonus for teachers sought by the union would add $150 million to the cost of any contract. 

      The BCTF's proposal for additional preparation time for elementary schools over five years would cost $86.2 million, according to the BCPSEA.

      The employer also stated that demands for improved secondary-school preparation time would add another $5.9 million over five years.

      The union has sought $225 million per year to address class size and compsition. This is in response to two B.C. Supreme Court rulings concluding that the B.C. government illegally stripped the BCTF of its right to bargain these issues.

      BCTF president Jim Iker said at a news conference today that the union was willing to scale back its package by $125 million in talks with mediator Vince Ready.

      Iker claimed that the employer refused to make any financial compromises, which is why mediation failed.

      Meanwhile, Premier Christy Clark has taken to Twitter to get her message across to the public.

      In four tweets today, she said the following:

      * "Unfortunately, the BCTF rejected our offer to reopen schools while the two sides enter into mediation to reach an agreement."

      * "Instead, the BCTF is sticking to its strike and demanding twice as much money as everyone else in the public service has received."

      * "That's not fair for the 150,000 dedicated women and men who have reached long-term agreements with affordable raises."

      * "Class comp. is priority #1 -- more educators helping more students. BCTF or CUPE, it doesn't matter because students' needs come first."

      Comments

      40 Comments

      Hon Chow

      Aug 31, 2014 at 7:59pm

      Hey Iker, the 70's called. They want their hair back.

      Stan Mortensen

      Aug 31, 2014 at 8:09pm

      Twitter, really...140 characters of nothing tangible. While I do not agree with either side in this dispute. Christy, it is time to get your head out the gopher hole and meet with the teachers and get a deal done and yes, now the ball is in your court. No more meaningless tweets, get off your duff and take a direct hand in this disaster of epic proportions.

      germs

      Aug 31, 2014 at 8:32pm

      So its ok for the govt to gouge us year round for ridiculous BS but we are supposed to cry foul when the cost of our childrens education/future is up for debate? I hope the BCTF fights to the bitter end. The govt is the bully, not the victim.

      Terje

      Aug 31, 2014 at 8:36pm

      The other unions will not feel slighted should the teachers get more, they will be emboldened. Remuneration disparity economy-wide must be addressed.

      DK

      Aug 31, 2014 at 9:20pm

      From what I've seem on the net is out of all current public sector wage increases (percent per year) teachers are at the bottom. At the top was Chtristy's deputy ministers at 7.6 % and then there is 13 members in between ranging from 1.6% teachers at the low end right up to the deputy ministers. Teachers have had zero in the last 6 of the last 14 years for an average of less than 1% per year for 16 years. That is what I've read.

      thunderpipe

      Aug 31, 2014 at 9:29pm

      So is it just me or does it seem almost criminal that the leader of this province has not once sat down in the discussions of this dispute. What kind of leadership is that, and how is that representative of a families first policy. It truly is a disgrace

      c-man

      Aug 31, 2014 at 11:02pm

      Most public sector unions gained anywhere from 3 to 4% between 2011 and 2013, while teachers just finished their third year of zero. And in 2011, StatsCan reported that BC had the lowest paid public school teachers per student in the country. How can the government be blowing anything but smoke up their backsides?

      kootenaygirl

      Sep 1, 2014 at 3:52am

      A premier that tweets. Does she think this is a game? How totally undignified. How utterly irresponsible. How childish! Golly gee look at me I can tweet BUT I cannot respond in a dignified manner with a press conference where I stand up and face the public. Oops, no good photo op there. Might have to answer questions about my utter lack of comprehension of the issues.

      Jean-Michel Oblette

      Sep 1, 2014 at 6:58am

      Oh really Krusty, class comp is important now? Last week YOU education minister was saying we could easily agree on wages if we forgot class composition.

      CHRISTY CLARK MUST RESIGN

      rob

      Sep 1, 2014 at 7:18am

      Give me a break. The BCTF should only get a pay raise and benefit package similar to those settled by other public sector unions. They want to make up for what they did not get years ago.....we all went through the years swith zero percent increases. This whole fiasco has nothing to do with the kids.....the BCTF are a bunch of militant screw ups with no sense of reality. As for Rob Fleming....ndp critic....easy to criticize when you are not faced with tough decisions. The BCTF are never happy despite what government is in power.