BC Teachers’ Federation Bargaining Proposal – 2014 Summary

The BC Teachers’ Federation Bargaining Proposal – 2014 Summary appears below. After talking to a few teachers it has become apparent that they do not fully know what they are striking for. Right now it seems the fight has turned into an emotional mixture of rights and a general feeling of being disrespected by the government.

All of that is true. But the reality is that their union leaders are truly proposing a deal that is completely out of touch with reality. See for yourself below:

BC Teachers’ Federation Bargaining Proposal – 2014 Summary

Proposal Number: U79

June 17, 2014, 5:25 pm

Salary

$5000 signing bonus

July 1, 2014: 3.5%

July 1, 2015: 1.5%

July 1, 2016: 1.5%

July 1, 2017: 1.5%

Additional increases equal to the difference between the actual GDP and the forecasted GDP will take effect on the first day after February 1 in the collective agreement.

Workload Fund

$225m per year for class size and composition

Retroactive Grievances

$225m (one time payment) to withdraw all retroactive grievances

TOC 

For EI the TOC is reported as working 9.1 hours per day

Pregnancy Leave

17 weeks at 100% pay less EI

Parental Leave

Both parents 35 to 37 weeks leave

All benefits continue. Employee pays their portion

Extended leave up to 2 years for both parents

100% salary for two weeks (both parents)

60% salary for 35 weeks (both parents)

Dental Plan

Employer pays 100% of typical plan

Extended Health Care Plan

Fertility:

2014 - $20,000 lifetime maximum

2015 - $30,000 lifetime maximum

Most typical except for:

Massage therapist and physiotherapist:

$3000 per year if prescribed by doctor

Preparation Time

Elementary:

180 minutes per week 2016 (double current)

Secondary:

12.5% per week. The next paragraph states an additional day (two days is crossed out) but it does not say "per week". However, the context of paragraph a. is "per week". It could either mean 1 day per week, or 1 day per year.

Preparation Time Relief:

Anyone who has more than 60 students will receive one extra day of prep time per reporting period.

Class Size

By 2016:

Kindergarten:  18 (4 less than current)

Grades 1 - 3:   20 (4 less than current)

Grades 4 - 7:   26 (4 less than current)

Grades 8 - 12: 27 (3 less than current)

For labs, shops, or classes with stations: 20 maximum

Split or multigrade classes: 2 less than lowest grade maximum

eg. grade 4/5 split: 24 maximum

Class Composition: 3 maximum

Secondary Case Load: 170 maximum

Learning Specialist Staffing Levels

By 2016:

Learning Assistance:                    1:275  students

Special Ed:                                   1:200  students

Teacher Librarians:                      1:400  students

Teacher Counsellors:                   1:400   students

ESL:                                             1:50    funded ESL students

School psychologist                     1:500  students

Speech pathologist                       1:750 students