errace Standard, Wednesday, October 12, 2005

BECAUSE EDUCATI ON

IS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE
~The Province believes that even one day of class lost to strike action is too long. The needs of students must come first.
_ That's why we're taking action to ensure certainty for students and a fair approach for teachers.

A Broken Bargaining System >

. Over the last 18 months, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation _
(BCTF) and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association
(BCPSEA) have been bargaining in an attempt to reach a
new collective agreement. To date, no issues have been
agreed to and job action appears likely.

All parties agree the bargaining system for public sector
education is broken. A recent report entitled Voice,

Accoun tability and Dialogue: Recommendations foran
Improved Collective Bargaining System for Teacher Contracts

‘in British Columbia found that over the past 10 years, every
collective agreement involving teachers in this province

~ has required government intervention. During that time, .

a total of four contracts have been imposed.

° .

| A Matter of Fairness

7 The Province has’ successfully negotiated n more than .
130 collective agreements | under the current wage
mandate including deals with nurses, doctors and B. C.
government workers.

Over the last four years, teachers were one of the few public

sector unions to receive an increase. In fact, the last BCTF
contract provided a 7.5. percent wage increase over three
years, ending June 30, 2004. It’s only right that the BCTF
abide by the same rules as other public sector unions.

: Our Commitment _ a
The P Province has invested: more

» Collective Agreement Act, which will extend the terms __

students and their parents can depend upon today and

teachers and government i into the future.

nding and:made class size a pr

A Workable Solution

The Province has introduced the Education Services -

and conditions of the existing contract over the next nine
months when the current wage mandate expires. At that
time, there will be an opportunity to negotiate a new
contract that includes wage increases for teachers.

The Province is also acting to fix the system for the long
term by appointing an Industrial Inquiry Commissioner
to help establish a new bargaining process. The —
Commissioner will consult with the parties before
recommending a new model.

Certainty for Students and Parents |
Astudent’s education comes first. That's why the new

bargaining model will be required to ensure a stable
educational environment. It will be a model that both

in the future.

I

In addition, the Province will establish a new Teachers’ |
Congress to ensure.a healthy new. dialogue between, Wee Chat an tHe

These new measures are just part of our commitment
to ensure students needs come first.

. : Investing Wore Funding :
es - Increased operating funding, for school districts by
~ <$150.million this year.»

- . - Increased operating 9 funding by $460 million since.
| 2000/2001.

| = Increased per pupil funding by $ $345 © over the last year

“and by $881 over the past five years.

+ Investing $1.5 billion over. the next 15 years to. en |

seismically upgrade high priority s schools. ee

Why We’re Taking Action:

A fact-finder appointed on September 19, 2005 to conduct
an independent review of issues that are hampering
negotiations found: . |

- According to figures provided by BCTF, its proposals
would add approximately $673 million annually

- to the cost of the education system at the end of
ath ree-year agreement.

2 size in form

» BCPSEA estimates the cost of the BCTF demands at _
approximately $938 million.

* There is no prospect fora voluntary resolution at the .
bargaining table. —

For more information on how the Province is working to improve education, visit: www.gov.bc.ca

BRITISH
COLUMBIA