A dark day in public education 

February 3, 2012

January 28, 2002 was the day the BC Liberals brought in Bills 27 and 28, sparking a massive province-wide walkout and demonstrations in more than 40 towns and cities province-wide. This video looks back to that landmark day, which began a decade of resistance by BC teachers.

A dark day for public education in BC: Teachers mark the 10th anniversary of bills that illegally ripped up contracts

January 26, 2012 

Friday, teachers across BC are wearing black to mark the 10th anniversary of the passage of Bills 27 and 28 which ripped up teachers’ collective agreements and eliminated provisions protecting class size, class composition, and services to students with special needs.

“Over a single weekend in January 2002, the BC Liberals wiped out decades of advocacy and sacrifice by teachers and launched a decade of cutbacks, school closures, and untold damage to teaching and learning conditions,” said BCTF President Susan Lambert. “In declaring today a ‘Dark Day for Public Education in BC’ teachers are sending a message to government that it’s time to respect bargaining rights and come to the table to reach a fair and reasonable agreement with teachers.” More...

Teachers table new reduced package to kick-start negotiations

January 17, 2012 

In an effort to break the logjam in the ongoing labour dispute, today the BC Teachers’ Federation is bringing a new reduced package of proposals to the provincial bargaining table. With this package, the BCTF has moved significantly from its opening position, dropping some initial proposals altogether and trimming others.

“Ever since bargaining opened last spring, we have clearly expressed to government and the BC Public School Employers’ Association that we are seeking a freely negotiated settlement that leads to better learning conditions for students and provides fair and reasonable improvements for teachers,” said BCTF President Susan Lambert. More...

Teachers renew call for child poverty reduction plan in 2012  

January 11, 2012

Now that the holiday season of giving is over, BC children and families living in poverty once again find themselves in deplorable situations as they struggle to take care of their basic necessities.  

“Now more than ever we need to address child poverty in BC,” said BCTF President Susan Lambert. “Sadly, BC continues to lag behind others as one of the last provinces to act. BC has had the highest child poverty rate in Canada for eight years in a row. It is a truly alarming situation with poverty rates for Aboriginal families and recent immigrants ranging from 36 to 49%. The time for action is now!” More...

The BCTF’s great big video challenge

January 4, 2012   

In response to the many challenges facing BC teachers, your union is giving you another one! We’re launching a great big video challenge to encourage teachers to let their creative juices flow. Feel free to address any issue that’s on your mind or in your heart.

Here’s more info on how to enter your video. Check out the MyBCTF YouTube channel to see the entries we have received so far.

Teacher wish list for 2012

A happy new year to everyone, with a hope that these come true!

• a negotiated settlement in bargaining, not legislation
• restoration of rights as determined by the BC Supreme Court
• reducing the number of students living in poverty through a poverty reduction plan
• manageable class sizes and class composition
• a teacher-librarian in every school
• restoration of specialist teaching positions
• employment equity for Aboriginal teachers
• new capital construction and fewer portables
• salary and benefits comparable to teachers in Ontario and Alberta
• stable, reliable, and adequate funding for public schools
• time to make sure that every student loves learning every day
• recognition for decades of teacher leadership in innovative pedagogy and curriculum
• a government that wants to protect public education.

CUPE deal increases pressure on government to revise mandate for teachers

December 16, 2011

The BC Teachers’ Federation is encouraged by news of the tentative agreement reached between the Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing school support workers, and the BC Public School Employers’ Association. 

BCTF President Susan Lambert welcomed three key elements of the deal: “The employer dropped its concession demands, put money on the table, and addressed CUPE concerns about their bargaining structures,” she said, adding that “the government is treating the two bargaining tables very differently. The concessions being demanded at the BCTF table are deep and broad. They would fundamentally restrict teachers’ rights and virtually eliminate fair process in hiring, transfers, and evaluation.” More...

Retired teachers give over $110 million a year in volunteer service 

December 13, 2011

This is a special time of year for giving, but BC’s retired teachers give of themselves to a remarkable degree all year round.

A comprehensive survey of more than 1,000 retired teachers across BC reveals a deep commitment to volunteerism which creates an economic benefit equivalent to $110 million, if the retirees’ time is calculated at a minimum wage of just $10 per hour. More...

New education funding formula robs Peter to pay Paul 

December 12, 2011

The new education funding formula announced today will compel small “have-not” school districts to compete with large “have” districts for their share of scarce resources.

BCTF President Susan Lambert said that the key words in the government’s announcement are all ones teachers would fully support: “more equitable, stable, sustainable education funding” based on “the principles of equity, predictability, stability, flexibility, and transparency.”  More...

LRB dismisses employer’s attempt to force report cards and fine the BCTF 

November 29, 2011

The BC Labour Relations Board has dismissed an application by the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) to compel teachers to do report cards and to fine the BC Teachers’ Federation 15 % of teachers’ salaries and benefits.

In his decision, the LRB’s Associate Chair of Adjudication, Michael Fleming, noted that both parties had agreed to the structure of the essential services order which is in place, and that none of the circumstances that gave rise to BCPSEA’s complaint were unforeseen or unpredictable. Fleming found that BCTF members are in full compliance with the order and there are no grounds to change it. More... 

BCTF dismayed that gov’t. refuses to remedy Charter violations with guarantees for students

November 28, 2011

The BC Teachers’ Federation is deeply distressed that the government has flatly refused to consider any proposal to remedy the unconstitutionality of Bills 27/28 that would include contractual guarantees for quality teaching and learning conditions.

“We submitted proposals based on restoring the working and learning conditions that were in place prior to 2002, when these illegal bills were imposed. We have also demonstrated considerable flexibility and willingness to consider alternatives,” said BCTF President Susan Lambert. More...

Teachers support growing call for poverty reduction plan in BC 

November 22, 2011

Every day in classrooms across the province, BC teachers bear witness to the devastating impact of poverty on children’s lives.

“Every day, thousands of children come to school hungry, cold, tired, sad, and worse. It’s heartbreaking,” said BCTF President Susan Lambert. “Growing up in poverty undermines children’s academic success, social development, and emotional well-being in profound ways. Poverty is one of the most harmful, yet most preventable, barriers to learning.” More...

Do retired teachers just fade away?

November 14, 2011 

When teachers retire, they get involved in new activities, often as volunteers. A survey of 1,000 retired teachers found many are still active in other ways of contributing to the community. The Retired Teachers’ Association found that even if the volunteer work were paid at the minimum wage, retired teachers make a contribution valued at more than $100 million a year. More...

Schools commemorate Remembrance Day 

November 9, 2011  

In schools across British Columbia, students and staff will assemble to mark Remembrance Day on Thursday, November 10. On this occasion we honour the sacrifices veterans have made, and continue to make, in defence of the rights and freedoms we enjoy in our democratic society. As teachers, we take seriously our role in educating the next generation of Canadians about our history, the commitment of our forces, our role as a peacekeeping nation, and our shared hopes for a peaceful future.

Click here to see the commemorative ad placed in many newspapers around BC.   

Teachers take employer to court over homophobia, codes of conduct  

November 1, 2011

The recent suicide of Ottawa teen Jamie Hubley has once again shone a spotlight on the often catastrophic impact of severe homophobic bullying in schools. A bright young person facing an unbearably toxic environment with little hope of respite except through ending his life: sadly, BC teachers have seen this tragic drama before. 

That’s why the BC Teachers’ Federation has been at the forefront of the effort to challenge the stigma and discrimination LGBTQ youth face in schools and society. Despite the controversy that can accompany these initiatives, BCTF members are determined to continue this work to make schools safe for all students, regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation. More...

Unfortunate that voice of teachers is diminished on new council: BCTF

October 26, 2011

It is regrettable that the voice of teachers will be diminished on the new BC Teachers’ Council, but a new clarity on the body’s mandate is welcome, BC Teachers’ Federation President Susan Lambert said today.

Bill 12, The Teachers Act, repeals the former Teaching Profession Act and dissolves the BC College of Teachers. It will be replaced with a new council with a more focused mandate, including setting standards for certification of teachers, approval of teacher education programs at universities, and adjudication of serious disciplinary matters. More... 

Class-size discussions continue

October 25, 2011

Discussions continue with government representatives regarding the repercussions of the BC Supreme Court decision which found Bills 27 and 28 unconstitutional.

On October 24, the BCTF presented a proposal as to how government should address the repercussions of the ruling. In response, the government asked us to outline in detail the principles underlying our proposal. We presented those principles October 25. The government will provide a new proposal on October 26.

Thirty teenagers with power tools in crowded shop class: A recipe for disaster?

October 20, 2011

Technology education teachers across BC are increasingly worried about growing health and safety risks in woodwork, metalwork, electronics, mechanics, and other shop classes due to underfunding and overcrowding.

Since the provincial government cut education funding and removed firm class-size limits from teachers’ contracts, there are fewer technology teachers and they are facing larger classes with less supplies, equipment, and maintenance than ever before. Increased numbers of students with special needs or limited English skills mean additional concerns for safety and supervision.

Gag law is indeed unconstitutional: BC teachers applaud court ruling

October 19, 2011  

Teachers are welcoming today’s BC Court of Appeal ruling that Bill 42, the so-called “gag law” limiting third-party advertising prior to provincial election campaigns, is unconstitutional. Today’s unanimous decision upholds an earlier BC Supreme Court ruling in a case brought forward by the BC Teachers’ Federation and three other public sector unions.

“This is a win not only for the BCTF and our partners in this case, but for all British Columbians,” said BCTF President Susan Lambert. “Today’s ruling reasserts for all of us the right to freedom of expression and full participation in the public and political dialogue of our province.” More... 

BCTF calls for government to enter into meaningful discussions 

October 12, 2011

Justice Griffin reaffirmed today that Bills 27 and 28 legislation is unconstitutional and invalid, but she declined to offer further clarification of her April decision.

The offending Bills 27 and 28 eliminated class size, class composition, specialist staffing, and hours of work from the teacher collective agreement and led to diminished services for students. This legislation also prohibited future bargaining on these issues. More...

On World Teachers' Day and all year round, BC teachers advocate for kids

October 5, 2011 

Every October 5 is marked as World Teachers’ Day around the globe. It’s a day of international celebration of the important role played by teachers in educating the next generation to take their place as future leaders in communities worldwide.

Here in BC, as in many other jurisdictions, teachers are actively defending public education from funding cuts and advocating for improvements to classroom conditions. Collective bargaining is one important tool that teachers have used to advocate for their own needs and those of their students. More... 

Click here to view the news conference video.

Throne speech promises on class composition are dangerous

October 3, 2011

In the Throne speech on October 3, the government announced that it “will dedicate funding to address issues of class composition.”  That sounds good, but the actual plan does not.

The BCTF has seen an outline of the plan.  The government proposed a framework for a “Class Organization Fund” (COF) that would pit classes, schools, and school districts against one another in a race for scarce resources.  Everyone would have to make the case for how their need is greater than that in another class or school.

“Ultimately it would create competition between vulnerable students for the very services they so urgently need to succeed at school. It’s profoundly unfair.”

“What students and teachers need,” Susan Lambert said, “is a return to the fair and objective processes illegally removed from the collective agreement.  This plan offers no assurance of universal access to services based on the needs of students.” More...

BCPSEA to discuss punitive options

September 30, 2011

A leaked BCPESA discussion document reveals that the employers’ bargaining agent is contemplating three possible options in response to job action. They are: making teachers or their unions pay for health and welfare benefits; reducing teachers’ pay; and lockout.

“Why would the employer be considering such provocative proposals when teachers across the province are still teaching and meeting students’ needs—despite the underfunding, large classes, scant resources, and lack of services for students with special needs?” BCTF President Susan Lambert asked. Click here to read more. 

Evidence mounts of underfunding in schools

September 20, 2011

As part of our ongoing efforts to secure adequate funding to meet the needs of BC students, the BC Teachers’ Federation once again presented a comprehensive brief to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. The brief addresses issues of class size and composition, increased special needs, funding relative to other provinces, and concludes with an appeal to restore fairness and equity.

Teachers hope arbitrator can help remove obstacles to local bargaining

September 16, 2011

With teachers determined to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to education issues, the question of which issues must be negotiated provincially and which can be bargained locally has become important in this round of collective bargaining.

An arbitrator recently ruled in favour of the BCTF that the split of issues (the division of bargaining objectives into provincial and local) can be renegotiated. This ruling has required the BCTF to raise most of the locally determined items from all 60 local tables to the provincial table.  Naturally, this package amounts to a large number of proposals (more than 1,100 key items) all of which have been determined by democratic processes in each local.

It’s likely that the BC Public School Employers’ Association will characterize this as unworkable. However, there is a clear and easy solution: the two parties could simply reach mutual agreement to return this work to the communities in which it should logically be done. The structures are already in place, and the bargaining teams are ready to deal with these local issues.

“We’re convinced that as soon as these key issues are returned to the local tables, we’ll be able to find workable solutions in a prompt and expeditious manner,” said BCTF President Susan Lambert. “Local teachers and trustees know their communities best. In a province as vast and diverse as BC, the public education system is required to respond to a wide range of challenges. Large inner city schools and small rural schools have very different needs, and collective agreements should be able to respond to local issues with local solutions.”

For more information, please see: http://bctf.ca/BargainingAndContracts.aspx?id=23596 

The straight goods on the Terry Fox Run

September 15, 2011

There have been a number of questions from the public and the media about the Terry Fox Run and whether or not teachers are participating in the run.  In fact, teachers are working to conduct the Terry Fox Run as they always have. While schools are seeking the assistance of administrators and parents to do the fundraising, teachers are working with their students to show the films and discuss the life of Terry Fox as they have always done.  In the last week of September, teachers and their students will be running to commemorate Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope.  Schools are encouraged to seek the assistance of parents and administration in collecting donations.

Frustrated teachers insist on respect for Supreme Court ruling, reject government proposal that fails to restore rights or redress breach 

September 13, 2011 

Frustrated and disappointed by the provincial government’s unwillingness to redress the unconstitutionality of its contract-stripping legislation, the BC Teachers’ Federation is going back to Madam Justice Susan Griffin to seek clarification on her April 2011 Supreme Court ruling. The full text of the judgment is available here.

After five meetings with the government-appointed representative responsible for dealing with the repercussions of the court decision on Bills 27 and 28, the BCTF has written to Paul Straszak to halt any further discussion until after the court hearing, slated for October 11, 2011. More... 

Teach-only job action aimed at better conditions

September 6, 2011

A teach-only job action by teachers is aimed at gains to improve conditions for students and teachers with three objectives.

1.    Teaching conditions that support all students (including prep time).
2.    Fair and reasonable salary and benefits.
3.    Local solutions for local issues.

In addition, this round of bargaining is about respect for the profession.

The BC Supreme Court ruled that 2002 legislation stripping teaching conditions from our collective agreement was illegal.  Despite the obligation to restore conditions, the government has set a sub-zero mandate that keeps the employer coming to the table empty-handed day after day. It is not a mandate we can accept.

Teachers determined to make a difference for kids in this round of bargaining

August 31, 2011

As the new school year begins, BC teachers are disappointed that the employer has not returned to the bargaining table with a mandate to invest in public education through enhanced funding for services to students and a fair increase to wages and benefits for teachers.

Despite an April 2011 Supreme Court decision that ruled BC Liberal laws stripping class-size and composition clauses to be unconstitutional, the provincial government has done nothing to rectify the situation. By removing class-size limits and guarantees of services to students with special needs, the contract-stripping legislation enabled the government to cut vast sums each year from the education budget: an annual amount equivalent to $336 million in 2011 dollars. More... 

Information literacy and the 21st Century learner 

August 29, 2011

It seems that everything is “21st Century” these days. Not surprisingly, BC teacher-librarians have addressed one of the key challenges of the digital age: a framework for information literacy. The BC Teacher-Librarians’ Association has used an inquiry-based approach to understanding the rapid technological changes and how we help our students gain understanding of new environments. Their report, termed The Points of Inquiry, can be found at www.bctf.ca/teachers.aspx.

New Teachers and TTOCs—a handbook to support you  

 August 22, 2011     

Lots to learn—that is the message in 62 pages in the Handbook for New Teachers and TTOCs.  But the book is there to answer questions and help make it a good experience. Suggestions range from “establishing a classroom environment” to “communicating with parents” and from personal wellness to job interviews. More... 

Interested in a teacher exchange?

August 16, 2011

Lots of teachers want to come to BC to teach on exchange and are looking for someone to change places with them. Exchanges can be within Canada or internationally. A non-profit organization called the Canadian Education Exchange Foundation links up teachers interested in an exchange experience. They will make the connections for you…and also help you decide if it is really for you.  More...   

How many specialist groups can fit on a web page? 

August 8, 2011 

For the BCTF, the answer is 33. That is the number of professional specialist associations (PSAs) you can find through the BCTF website at bctf.ca/PSAs.aspx. Some PSAs are subject based (e.g., BC Social Studies Teachers’ Association) and grade based (e.g., BC Primary Teachers’ Association). Others focus on an approach to education (BC Co-operative Learning Association or Computer-using Educators). Check out their websites.

Everyone will find at least one of interest. This is the 40th anniversary of the council of the Provincial Specialist Associations—a good time to join colleagues who share your problems and your passions.

Free lesson aids for global education 

August 2, 2011

About 80 global education lesson aids are online. These were developed by BC teachers on a wide range of topics and grade levels and link to the BC curriculum. Some are available in French.

Developing a global perspective is essential in today’s context. Check out how these could be used in classrooms to help students become more globally aware: bctf.ca/GlobalClassroom.aspx.

What do students know about unions? 

July 26, 2011

You seldom hear about unions and the work they do for members—except in the midst of a conflict. Youth, Unions, and YOU is a teaching resource for secondary school courses, created with the support of the Ministry of Education—a decade ago. The work is being updated, but much of the material is still of current interest. Check it out at www.bctf.ca/TeachingResources.aspx?id=18848.

Social justice on video

July 18, 2011

The BCTF loans videos to teachers for use in the classroom or workshops.  Many of these are on social justice topics:  from Sticks and Stones to The Homophobia Project; from Crude Sacrifice on the tar sands to Shop ‘Til You Drop: The Crisis of Consumerism; from The Coca-cola Case to Leaving Bountiful.

All these can be borrowed for free. Reserve now for the new school year. Social justice media productions for classrooms can be found at www.bctf.ca/SocialJustice.aspx?id=21294.