B.C. Teachers' Federation job action scheduled to begin next week
The union representing B.C. teachers says it will start "low-level" actions on Wednesday (April 23) to protest the lack of progress at the bargaining table with the B.C. government and B.C. Public School Employers' Association.
In a news release, the B.C. Teachers' Federation says it will not "undertake any mandated supervision of students outside of regularly scheduled classes, except as set out by an essential services order".
There will also be no "routine printed, written, or electronic communication" with principals or administrators.
Teachers will also not receive printed, written, or electronic communications from principals or administrators.
In addition, teachers will boycott meetings with management except those involving the joint health and safety committee.
BCTF president Jim Iker claimed that the B.C. Liberal government under Christy Clark is ignoring a recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling regarding class size, composition, and staffing.
He also maintained that the B.C. government continues to push for a 10-year deal, including two more years of zero-percent increases.
Iker claimed in the news release that "once again trying to provoke BC teachers and shut down BC schools".
Under the Labour Relations Code and the 2014 Essential Services Order, job action can legally begin on Sunday (April 20).
Comments
14 Comments
Maranello
Apr 18, 2014 at 4:27pm
I hope the teachers do go on strike soon because this Liberal government is f&^%$ useless!
Forest
Apr 18, 2014 at 9:44pm
Ah yes, the now-annual season of hating teachers is on again, brought to you by the BC Liberals.
Alan Layton
Apr 18, 2014 at 10:56pm
Why are we not seeing stories on the Hillcrest Community Center scandal?
Arthur Vandelay
Apr 19, 2014 at 7:09am
What's with the aging hippie look with ole Jimbo? My guess is we'll see him at a 4/20 event?
blah
Apr 19, 2014 at 2:56pm
@ Forest, the teachers bring the haters on themselves. According to the teacher's own union, the average salary teachers make in BC is around $71,000 per year. And yet they still want more. That's well above the average income for BC. Sorry teach, you get an F for FAIL.
Strike!
Apr 19, 2014 at 7:34pm
Strike! If you don't, if you pussyfoot around, you won't teach the kids the most valuable lesson of all: what freedom from educational serfdom is like.
When I was in elementary, there was a long strike. It was the best time I ever had. School is a prison for children. Striking gives them a brief respite from factory-serfdom. It also teaches them that they have the right to unionize and strike.
If teachers are striking for more pay, etc. why aren't students striking for min. wage? These adults have you by the balls, kids. No pay = no work.
Michael deTourdonnet
Apr 20, 2014 at 9:24am
Teachers are not showing responsibility to the students by their continuous disruption of classes.
If they were working for private enterprise , they would be all fired.
I've known some wonderful teachers, it's the teachers union that should be disbanded.
Mel
400ppm
Apr 20, 2014 at 11:41am
@blah
71k is a lot of money? In Vancouver? Which think tank do you spin for? When you get your wish and all teachers are living in basement suites, perhaps you can hire one to teach you some basic arithmetic, after they've finished your laundry and windows, of course.
blah
Apr 20, 2014 at 1:00pm
@400ppm, I didn't say 71,000 is a lot of money, but it is way above the average income earned here in Vancouver. Teachers aren't above average. I get by on less than 71,000 every year, and I don't have taxpayers to give me more money whenever I want some. Attacking me doesn't achieve anything. Did you learn that from your teachers?
400ppm
Apr 20, 2014 at 1:31pm
Well, if 71k "isn't a lot of money", welfare pays basically enough to stay alive, visiting doctors and social workers as one's health degrades. It seems like we have real problems with society, no general movement to fix them, only moves to help workers/special interest groups.