Feb 23

BCPSEA forwarded to the BCTF a letter outlining our concerns with their response yesterday to our attempt to generate a positive dialogue around teacher professional growth. 

Attachment: Copy of letter from BCPSEA to the BCTF

Feb 22

The outcome of today’s bargaining session can best be described as ‘disappointing’. Our session began with the agreed upon first agenda item: a BCPSEA facilitated discussion on incorporation of new teacher professional growth language into the collective agreement and how the provincial parties might draw on some of the good work that has already been done in school districts.

Following an extended caucus, the BCTF returned to the table to respond.  No answers to our questions were provided; nor was there any agreement put forward on any of the BCPSEA statements above.  Instead, the union refused to engage in any form constructive discussion of teacher professional growth and what might be appropriate new language for the collective agreement.  It was made clear to us that the political position of the union would not allow for the answering of the most basic questions; nor for a conversation on even a positive topic such as professional growth plans.

Feb 21

The agenda for today’s bargaining session once again focused on a BCPSEA ‘mini-package’ proposal of items.

There were also several accusations today by the union that BCPSEA is stalling bargaining as we know the content of anticipated legislation.  This is categorically untrue.  The BCPSEA spokesperson restated our desire to reach a negotiated settlement with the BCTF as we did with the support staff unions.  There is NO involvement of BCPSEA in the contemplation of any legislation.

Feb 17

The provincial parties met for the third time this week and once again the agenda focused on a BCPSEA ‘mini-package’ proposal of items. 

 The package included BCTF proposals on Compassionate Care Leave, Family Responsibility Leave, Leave for TOCs Conducing Union Business (revised) and BCPSEA proposal on Committee Membership (revised).

Feb 15

Feb 14

Feb 09

Yesterday, BCPSEA provided the BCTF bargaining spokesperson with a letter regarding bargaining and future dates. BCPSEA wants to ensure that all future bargaining sessions are as constructive as possible.  This letter is intended to assist with this goal.

Attachment: Letter to the BCTF bargaining spokesperson

Feb 02

At the start of today's bargaining session, the union team came into the room wearing BCTF T-shirts with the slogans 'Negotiate - Don't Legislate' and 'A Decade of Cuts'. The messages are consistent with their current high profile media campaign on bargaining and Bill 28 that the union has chosen to start at this critical time. It was also of note that the BCTF chose to respond through the media (rather than at the bargaining table) to the settlement package we tabled yesterday. There is every indication the union intends to make current talks a public relations battle. 

BCPSEA made it clear that we are available “24/7” throughout the month of February to continue talks. It remains our hope and intention to complete a negotiated settlement as soon as possible. It was left with the BCTF to provide us with the dates they have available for bargaining during the next month and for the parties to determine specific agenda items on the agreed dates.

Feb 01

As of today, we are entering the 12th month of provincial bargaining, have completed our 72nd formal bargaining session, BC teachers have been on strike for 148 days, and we have been operating our schools under the LRB essential service orders for 5 full months. 

The BCTF had invited us to table a counter to their list of proposals brought forward in late January. Our package today included several new proposals and the withdrawal of 3 additional BCPSEA proposals (we had already dropped 8 other proposals in our first settlement package with 11 in total now being withdrawn).  It is BCPSEA’s position that this proposed settlement package represents a fair and realistic agreement for teachers, but we remain open to further negotiation (especially as it relates to trade-offs within the net zero mandate). 

Jan 24

The focus of today's bargaining session was almost entirely on the costing of BCTF proposals tabled last week. BCPSEA presented a comprehensive review of our calculated costing of the union's proposals (including base data and methodology) and restated our willingness to work cooperatively with the BCTF researchers to develop joint methodology and final numbers. The offer to work together on final costing was once again rejected. 

Jan 18

Today’s bargaining session began with a presentation from the union local of school district 57 (Prince George) on why certain specific issues need to be bargained on a local basis. BCPSEA thanked the teachers for their presentation and outlined why we thought the solutions to the basic issues they had raised should be provincial in nature. 

The afternoon portion of today’s bargaining session concentrated on the costing of yesterday’s revised list of proposals from the BCTF. In particular, BCPSEA was concerned with union statements in the media that the expense of their revised proposals has been reduced to ‘an overall cost of about $300 million’. Our initial review of the proposals lead us to wonder how they came up with that overall cost figure as even a cursory review indicated a much higher price total. 

Jan 17

With Susan Lambert in attendance, the BCTF today tabled a long list of proposals (existing and revised) characterized in the media as a ‘significant move forward toward a new agreement’. Today’s bargaining session was preceded by a major BCTF media conference and press release overviewing their intended move at the table. The BCTF’s key statement to the media is that the total cost of their proposals has been reduced to ‘an overall cost of about $300 million’. This statement was later clarified at the bargaining table by the union’s first vice-president who stated the figure is intended to cover only direct contract improvements in the first year of the agreement. 

Although the BCTF has now tabled what we believe to be all of their significant proposals, BCPSEA remains concerned about what the union see as a reasonable settlement package.

Jan 13

All of this week's five provincial bargaining sessions opened with a presentation from a local teacher or representative from a union local. The presenter for today's session was a Teacher On Call (TOC) from the Coquitlam school district who came to speak in favour of improved collective agreement rights for all TOCs.  

At the end of a full week of bargaining, 68 meetings overall, and nearly 11 full months of exchanging positions, there are some patterns in bargaining that are clear and concerning: 

• Failure of union to table all of their specific proposals even after nearly 11 months of talks (e.g. they have yet to table a specific proposal on salary improvements yet have talked in the media about parity with Alberta and Ontario for over a year) 
• Failure of the union to table a comprehensive settlement proposal as recently promised by their president (including a narrowing of their opening position as BCPSEA did several weeks ago) 
• Rejection of most employer proposals, while expecting us to meet their demands for significant contract improvements
• Refusal to discuss important provincial issues related to matters such as post and fill and evaluation other than to say they should be moved to local bargaining tables valuation other than to say they should be moved to local bargaining tables
• Setting of unattainable preconditions for bargaining from the BCTF such as a requirement that any proposals regarding matters such as post and fill and evaluation be removed from the provincial table in their entirety thereby leaving the employers with very little in the way of bargaining objectives 
• Numerous presentations and speeches that appear to be of a political nature without any accompanying proposals or movement at the table 
• Recent attempts by the union to isolate or intimidate BCPSEA bargaining team members by asking direct questions regarding personal views on the current state of bargaining
• Refusal to work with BCPSEA on the costing of proposals, exploration of trade-off possibilities, or addressing the concerns of TOCs / new teachers

Jan 12

For the fourth time this week, today’s bargaining session opened with a presentation by a representative from a union local. The presenter was an adult education teacher from the Surrey school district who came to speak in favour of increased preparation time for teachers in those specific programs. The presentation was once again well done, but raised the same issues and questions beyond preparation time that were raised during the previous sessions this week. 

The next portion of the bargaining session was once again taken up with an exchange over the appropriate notices to be given when either party is bringing outside representatives or observers to the table. Lack of notice when a party intends to bring an outside presenter has been an issue this week (as the other party will generally wants to have a local representative from the same district or organization in attendance). BCPSEA once again put forward that the parties should jointly develop a set of protocol guidelines to cover such situations in order to prevent disagreements or confrontations. The BCTF once again refused to enter into such discussions or any agreement. 

During the final short section of today’s discussions, BCPSEA overviewed our proposal for new standardized Layoff and Recall language. We believe our proposal would prevent a large number of unnecessary layoffs and lessen the disruption often caused by the layoff/recall process. 

Jan 11

Today’s bargaining session once again opened with a presentation by a representative from a union local. In this case, the presenter was an elementary teacher from the Revelstoke school district who came to speak in favour of increased preparation time for teachers.  

BCPSEA was also reminded that the dropping of all employer proposals at the provincial table (labelled as ‘contract strips’) would have to accompany significant improvements to the current contract for a new agreement to be reached. There is certainly a lack of consideration of trade-offs or a balancing of interests in the BCTF’s current position. Their view is one that sees them only bargaining the number and/or size of improvements they obtain, without having to consider any employer objectives or initiatives what so ever. 

Jan 10

Today’s bargaining session was once again opened with a presentation by a representative from a union local. In this case, the presenter was a senior English teacher from the Victoria school district who came to speak in favour of increased preparation time for teachers.  

The presentation certainly raised a number of questions for us. In response, the BCPSEA bargaining team asked the BCTF representatives if it would be possible to have a ‘pens down’ open conversation about such questions and the others raised in the presentation. Unfortunately this request was turned down by the union. 

 The remainder of today’s bargaining session was taken up with a broad-based discussion of what it might take to reach an eventual settlement, and how best the parties could work toward that end.

Jan 09

Provincial bargaining resumed this week for our second session since the holiday break. The issues discussed during the session were, however, the same ones talked through on many other occasions. Six representatives from the Vancouver Teachers Federation (VTF) attended today’s session and opened with a very clear and extended presentation on two issues they see as important to teachers in their school district. 

BCPSEA responded by thanking the VTF for their presentation and noted that such proposals are worthy of at least discussion at the provincial table and consideration in all school districts. 

The response from the union side (put forth again by the VTF representative) was interesting both in how it contrasted with, yet was very similar to, the union response at our last bargaining session (where the Nanaimo Teachers’ Association had also presented on the need for local bargaining). The Vancouver spokesperson said that they were offended by our lack of questions or commentary on their presentation, and characterized us as being ‘dismissive’ and ‘disrespectful’. Last day the Nanaimo Teachers’ Association presenter said much the same thing when we did respond with questions and commentary to their presentation. 

It is clear there is a specific underlying purpose to bringing presenters/observers from union locals to the provincial bargaining table. No matter how we respond to a presentation, BCPSEA will be characterized as ‘disrespectful, dismissive, paternalistic, etc.’ No answer other than complete acceptance of their position on local bargaining will ever be reported as anything other than negative. 

Jan 04

Today was the first provincial bargaining session of 2012. 

Both BCPSEA and the BCTF opened the New Year’s discussion by restating their commitment to reach a new agreement as soon as possible. 

There was also, however, an immediate reconfirmation by the BCTF that it is their expectation that any new collective agreement include substantial improvements to wages and benefits. As today’s meeting progressed, the union representatives emphasized their rejection of the net zero mandate and the need for a large injection of government money in order for the parties to reach a new agreement. ‘The BCTF is not like other public service unions and will not accept a sub zero agreement. Respect for teachers = more money!’

Dec 12

Today’s session marks both the 62^nd day of face to face bargaining and the final day of talks before the coming Christmas break.

The BCTF opened today's discussion with a series of questions regarding BCPSEA’s proposal on Post and Fill, Teacher Assignments and Transfers. Considerable time and effort had obviously gone into the questions signaling to us a willingness of the union to discuss such issues at the provincial table.Although it is still fair to say that the parties do not agree on all aspects of our proposal, we were encouraged by the union seeking clarification and examples on the relatively controversial topic of teacher appointments to positions. It remains our position that a fulsome discussion of such issues at the provincial table is in both parties best interest and will lead to the best overall end result.

Dec 07

The BCTF opened today's talks with responses to questions asked by BCPSEA last day. Our questions sought specifics regarding the union’s objections to our proposal on teacher evaluation as well as their position that the current processes are working well. It became clear that the union is not interested in continuing any dialogue on updating the teacher evaluation system or implementing a professional growth plan process, in spite of our invitation to build and implement a new system jointly. 

BCPSEA then went on to overview in detail our previously tabled proposal on Post and Fill – Employee Assignments and Transfer. It is important to note that all elements of the BCPSEA Post and Fill proposal already exist in one or more BC school districts. We believe our proposal strikes a fair and respectful balance between the interests of school districts on behalf of students and those of teachers. 

The only other agenda item discussed during today's bargaining session was the BCPSEA historical overview of the standard school calendar, the number of days in session and non-instructional days for each school year since 1971, and our assessment that teachers did not add the 6 current non-instructional days to the work year without pay introduced last day.

Dec 05

BCPSEA opened today's talks by tabling a new costing document overviewing new estimates for the union proposals on Compassionate Care and Early Retirement Incentive Plan. Our revised cost estimates were completed in response to changes the BCTF has made to their initial proposals.  The revised cost of the ERIP proposal is now $387m (down from $445) based on a more selective eligibility and reduced payouts after age 60.  The focus is now as an early retirement incentive, rather than simply a retirement bonus.  The union's revised proposal on paid compassionate care leave also has a significantly reduced cost of $154,000 (down from $49m) based on an additional limitation connected to EI eligibility for similar circumstance.  Estimated teacher usage of any of the proposed paid leave provisions in future remains a point of disagreement between the parties.

Dec 01

Today’s bargaining session began with continuation of the previous two days discussion on BCPSEA’s integrated proposal on teacher evaluation, professional growth plans and mentorship. We have put forward a proposal which calls for regular teacher evaluation through an updated model emphasizing professional growth and mentorship as parallel structures.

Nov 30

Today’s bargaining session began with continuation of yesterday’s discussion on BCPSEA’s integrated proposal on teacher evaluation, professional growth plans and mentorship.We had put forward a proposal which calls for regular teacher evaluation through an updated model emphasizing professional growth and mentorship as parallel structures.  It is the mentorship component that formed the basis for today’s initial discussions.

Nov 29

Bargaining today began with a spirited discussion of two topics:

• The BCTF call for BCPSEA to get a new financial mandate (one that can include substantial wage and benefit improvements for teacher).
• BCPSEA concerns that recent union statements regarding our proposals have included inaccurate information that should be discussed and corrected at the bargaining table.

Nov 24

The BCTF's response to BCPSEA's full package proposal for settlement (including our dropping eight previous employer objectives/proposals).

Nov 22

Nov 14

Nov 07

Nov 02

Nov 01

For the first time in a number of weeks, bargaining did not center on the split of issues. Today’s discussions instead focused on questions from the union regarding the BCPSEA costing estimates of the original BCTF proposals for wage, benefits, paid leaves and hours of work improvements.

On June 17th, BCPSEA tabled a document outlining the estimated costs of all of the BCTF initial proposals up to that date. At that time asked the BCTF to work with us to cooperatively review our estimates toward refining them as appropriate.  The BCTF has never taken us up on our offer and had until today not raised any questions or concerns at the bargaining table regarding the original estimates.

Oct 31

BCPSEA opened the day's bargaining session at the BCTF offices by tabling another new counter proposal on the split of issues. 

Our new counter proposal focused only on changes to suggested process. Our new counter proposal did not contain any changes to our previous position on the split of issues as contained in Appendix 1 and 2. We did, however, restate our position that the union should bring forward any rationale or background information that would show how change in the split of issues would be in both parties best interest or could address truly local items. BCPSEA would consider any information the union brings forward in this regard, although to date they have yet to provide anything persuasive. 

BCPSEA also remains concerned that future talks on the split of issues do not unnecessarily delay bargaining. It is our position that any discussion on the split of issues should happen prior to the start of bargaining so as not to delay talks on the substantive issues.

Oct 27

The BCTF opened today's bargaining session by tabling another new counter proposal on the split of issues. Their new counter proposal focused on changes only to process. The union's new counter proposal does not contain any new changes to their position on the split of issues.

Oct 26

Oct 21

The BCTF opened today's bargaining session by tabling a new counter proposal on the split of issues. Their new counter proposal focused solely on changes to suggested process and includes the following elements:

Oct 18

Today's bargaining session was once again quite technical in nature and focused on the creation of processes to govern the future split of issues and related future bargaining steps. All of our discussions centered on this single issue and how it relates to PELRA.

Oct 17

Oct 12

BCPSEA opened the session by tabling two documents: 1) a new counter proposal on the split of issues, and 2) a clarification document showing the similarities and differences from the union counter proposal tabled yesterday.

Oct 11

Oct 07

Oct 06

Sep 29

Sep 28

Sep 22

BCPSEA moved forward today with a presentation on options for the modernization and standardization of teacher benefits plans across the province. The presentation by invited representatives of Morneau-Shepell showed the potential to create significant plan improvements through modernization and standardization of current benefit plans across the province. Any net savings created through this process could also be reallocated to provide improvements in other areas of the collective agreement or further improvements to the benefits plan provided to all teachers.

Sep 21

BCPSEA opened the day with a previously scheduled review of ‘house keeping’ items (items generally considered to be of a procedural nature or of low priority by both of the parties in bargaining) found in Appendix 1 of the collective agreement.

Sep 20

The opening of the today’s session began with the union explaining how their view on the split of issues was a ‘position in bargaining’ and neither an interpretation of the Jackson award; nor their interpretation of how the redesignation processes might work. This acknowledgement that many of their past comments represent a desired outcome for the bargaining of the split (rather than interpretation of what currently exists) is significant. The union is beginning to acknowledge that BCPSEA’s interpretation of current realities has some merit.

Sep 19

Sep 16

Sep 13

Sep 13

Sep 12

Sep 08

Sep 07

Sep 06

Sep 05

Provincial bargaining resumed today in order to facilitate BCTF compliance of the requirements imposed by Arbitrator Jackson last week.

Sep 02

Aug 30

Almost all of today’s bargaining session was taken up with the exchange of revised proposals.

Aug 26

Aug 25

Aug 24

Aug 23

Jul 27

Jun 29

Today’s bargaining session dealt with 3 specific issues:

1) The resigning of a specific Letter of Understanding for Recruitment and Retention allowances in School District No. 51 that may not have otherwise bridged.

2) Counter proposals from each party regarding the Appendix 1 and 2 split of provincial vs. local issues.

Jun 28

The BCTF request for information as required under Regulation 16 of the Labour Relations Code.

Jun 28

Jun 24

Jun 23

Jun 21

five specific identified themes. The proposals are intended to meet the broad goal of updating the Collective Agreement in support of system improvement and growth as well as current best human resource practices.

Jun 17

Talks today focused on the continuation of a number issues introduced on earlier dates including BCPSEA's follow-up on specific costing of proposals.

Jun 14

Jun 13

Jun 09

Query from Districts about“Stripping Seniority”.

Jun 08

Jun 07

BCTF proposals tabled today were all in the area of hour of work.

Jun 02

Jun 01

May 31

May 26

May 25

May 24

May 18

May 16

Apr 29

Mar 02