THE MAIN EVENT

Over the last year, the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF), representing BC's 40,000 school teachers, has been in contract negotiations with the British Columbia Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA).

On January 7, 2002, the BCTF began Phase II of their job action. Under Phase II, the teachers stopped all voluntary services in non-credit extra-curricular activities such as

He Said, She Said “There is no teacher in this province who is enthusiastic about the job action.” David Chudnovsky BC Teachers' Federation

school sports, drama, music, student councils, and school clubs. This service withdrawal is in addition to Phase I of the job action (initiated in November 2001) when the teachers stopped attending staff meetings and preparing report cards.

The escalated job action was approved by the BC Labour Relations Board, who ruled that teachers can legally withdraw their voluntary services under the essential services legislation enacted by the new Liberal government last August.

The BCTF and the BCPSEA disagree on several key issues. The major disagreements are money and class size. The teachers are demanding salary increases of 22.5 percent over three years and a reduction in class sizes. In contrast, the employers are offering a salary increase of around 7.5 percent and more flexible rules on class size. To date, the BCTF has not ruled out the possibility of a full-scale strike in the ongoing contract dispute, while on the other side of the disagreement the BC government has suggested it may legislate a settlement.
Check out the BC Public School Employers' Association Website
Check out the BC Teachers' Federation Website