B.C.’s public school teachers have voted to accept the agreement reached between BCTF and BCPSEA on Sept. 16. This was a very difficult round of bargaining, but we are pleased that it concluded in a negotiated settlement. While the agreement does not address long term systemic problems created by chronic underfunding of public education over the past 12 years under B.C. Liberal governments, there are some modest improvements that should result in better supports for our students.
A new education fund should create over 800 new teaching positions across the province to improve class size and composition directly. It is our expectation, both provincially and in our school district that all new teaching positions will provide direct service and support to students. This is why teachers were willing to sacrifice salary for six weeks – to bring tangible improvements and better supports for our students.
While teachers did not achieve all of our bargaining objectives, a very positive outcome of this dispute is the unprecedented level of engagement, not only of our members, but parents, students, concerned citizens and other members of the public who stood alongside us and showed support in many different ways.
Clearly this tremendous level of awareness, engagement and activism from the public played a pivotal role in bringing this dispute to resolution. There is now much greater momentum to work together for a stronger, vibrant, equitable public education system.
Teachers will continue to engage with parents and the public in our ongoing efforts to create a high quality, properly funded education system. We hope that members of the public join us in our efforts to elect strong advocates for public education in the upcoming school trustee election on Nov. 15. We also ask that parents continue to lobby local trustees, MLA Jordan Sturdy, Minister of Education Peter Fassbender and Premier Clark for improved supports in our schools, especially when you see that your child is not getting the service that he or she deserves. It remains deeply troubling that our government continues to fund public education at a rate that is $1,000 less per pupil than the Canadian average. This is disgraceful in a province as wealthy as British Columbia. Our students deserve as many voices as possible speaking on their behalf, and the local trustee campaign this fall provides an opportune time to advocate together for public education.
In the meantime, Sea to Sky teachers look forward to returning to the work they love to do. We also wish to extend a huge thank you to all those who supported us during this challenging period. It is much appreciated and made a real difference in boosting the morale of teachers on the line. We look forward to working with our students and meeting parents as we teach and learn together.
Carl Walker, president
Sea to Sky Teachers’ Association
