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lightly,” said Malcolm. “We care deeply about our schools, our students and their families. Many of us are parents or grandparents ourselves.” The BCTF has rejected the governMorning Star Staff ment’s offer for a 10-year agreement After rejecting an offer from the with pay increases totalling 6.5 per school district bargaining agency for a cent over the first six years, and addilong-term contract, the B.C. Teachers’ tional wage increases to be negotiated Federation has served notice it will for the final four years. begin work-to-rule action Wednesday. There has been little change to the BCTF president Jim Iker announced “lowball offer” on wages and no moveThursday that 72-hour notice ment on the long-running has been given, after union dispute over class size limmembers voted 89 per cent its and special needs supin March to endorse a threeport, Iker said. stage strike plan. BCTF negotiators Phase one includes refuscountered with a threeing communication with year proposal with three school managers, arriving no per cent plus a cost-of-livmore than an hour before and ing increase in each year. leaving an hour after school With compounding and Malcolm hours, and refusing supervicurrent estimates of inflasion of students outside class tion, BCPSEA calculates time. that could amount to 13.5 per cent It does not affect pre-arranged over three years. voluntary activities such as coaching, Iker said school districts are cutbut the refusal of supervision requires ting staff and programs due to minessential service levels that compel istry budget cuts, and the ministry some teachers to assure the safety of should at least cover school districts’ students while they are out of classes. costs for increase medical services Report card preparation and parent plan premiums and BC Hydro rate meetings will continue. increases. “We have been waiting, very The education ministry says perpatiently, for the government to pro- pupil funding has increased 38 per vide the necessary funding required cent since 2001, and the ministry for us to move forward in achieving a has provided $225 million over three negotiated collective agreement,” said years to hire 500 teachers and 400 Heather Malcolm, Vernon Teachers’ new special education assistants for Association president. the 2012-13 school year. “Instead, they have attempted to Education Minister Peter remove, yet again, the important pro- Fassbender said the teachers’ move visions for class size and composi- is “a little disappointing but not at all tion and minimum levels of specialist surprising.” teachers that the B.C. Supreme Court “Over the past few weeks, it restored.” appears the BCTF has been more Iker said progress at the bargaining focused on implementing its strike table will determine how long phase plan than bargaining at the table,” one action would last. said Fassbender. “There has been virPhase two of the BCTF plan is tually no movement from the BCTF rotating one-day walkouts in districts on their wage and contract positions. around the province. Phase three, a “The union hasn’t moved off its full-scale strike, would require a sec- opening position of approximately ond vote by members to authorize. 13.5 per cent increase over three “As teachers, we do not take job years, nor has it withdrawn any of its action, or even a vote on job action, many other monetary proposals.”
Phase 1 job action starts Wednesday; classes in session
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Adrian Hobbs of Graphic Enterprises Signs and Designs decorates the windows at Kal Tire Place with RBC Cup decals Monday in advance of the May 10 to 18 event at the arena.
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