Teacher bargaining

[KGT]

You're just talking phase one though, right? If those duties are maintained throughout then that would be a big change and I hope that's the case.

Stage One - yes

Stage Two - exactly the same, but add in a one-day walkout in every district (rotating) - nobody wants this.

Stage Three - we have to vote on that first. Full walk out. Nobody wants it.

[flamingfingers]

Urb wrote:

Do you have proof that CKNW is receiving money to falsify the results? Really flaming. I just posted the poll because I thought some people might find it interesting. I realize that any poll that doesn't point to everyone hating Christy Clark is crooked in your ideas but a lot of people don't like the tactics of the BCTF and we see that in these poll results.

Urb, don't be so obtuse! CKNW, former employer of dear Christy is so biased that it really is nauseating. The polls are open to anyone who wishes to post their checkmark and people who listen to CKNW are in the main supporters. The poll at present does lean in favor of the teachers, which is slightly hopeful, but a poll on CKNW is about as accurate as the weather forecast.

[Urbane]

Urb, don't be so obtuse! CKNW, former employer of dear Christy is so biased that it really is nauseating. The polls are open to anyone who wishes to post their checkmark and people who listen to CKNW are in the main supporters. The poll at present does lean in favor of the teachers, which is slightly hopeful, but a poll on CKNW is about as accurate as the weather forecast.

The poll actually shows that more people blame the teachers than blame the government. No, I don't take online polls any more seriously than you do but perhaps this poll does offer something of a glimpse at what people are thinking. And you know what? Christy Clark is something of a populist and if she senses that the majority are behind the teachers she'll adjust accordingly. At this time I don't think that's what she's seeing and hearing though. I do think that people want the whole class size and composition issue settled but when it comes to the hefty pay increase that teachers are demanding there isn't a lot of public support.

[flamingfingers]

Urb wrote:

Christy Clark is something of a populist and if she senses that the majority are behind the teachers she'll adjust
accordingly

Insert weathervane vid here.

Actually I doubt it Urb. She has a looonnng history with the teachers and it would be quite amazing if she and Fassbender pulled in their horns now.

[KGT]

January 2013 - the BCTF and the BCPSEA agreed to a bargaining framework. Proposals were to be exchanged on March 4 2013. The BCTF puts there's forth, the govt waited another YEAR to put their complete package on the table.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.1336648

B.C. teachers bargaining framework approved
Agreement applies only to structure of bargaining, not any contract proposals

CBC News Posted: Jan 26, 2013 11:59 AM PT Last Updated: Jan 26, 2013 9:52 PM PT

Susan Lambert says teachers are pleased finally to have some good bargaining-related news. (CBC)

The BC Teachers' Federation and its direct employer have approved a new bargaining framework for the next round of contract negotiations.

Union President Susan Lambert says the new deal with the B.C. Public School Employers' Association allows for earlier bargaining and a facilitator to help negotiations.

Lambert said she thinks teachers are glad for some upbeat news, "after so many years of frustration and disappointment."

"This particular understanding has really, really heartened teachers that maybe there is some compromise that can be made," Lambert told CBC News Saturday.

The BCTF voted in favour on Saturday morning while the BCSPEA board gave it the thumbs up later in the day.

The progress in this aspect of the teachers’ bargaining comes in stark contrast to the BCTF’s flat rejection of a 10-year deal proposed by the B.C. government Thursday.

The proposal, intended to bring some long-term stability to the rocky relations between teachers and government, would take away "constitutional rights" given to teachers by the courts to negotiate class sizes and composition, Lambert said.

In April 2011, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the provincial government violated teachers' rights by taking away their right to negotiate those issues.

Also, the B.C. Court of Appeal ruled in August that administrators can't dictate rules around working conditions for teachers.

The bargaining framework now agreed on only sets out a timetable and some conditions of bargaining, not specific proposals.

Bargaining will begin Feb. 4 and proposals will be exchanged by March 1. The agreement also calls for a facilitator to assist with bargaining.

The current collective agreement between the BCTF and BCSPEA expires June 30.

[Urbane]

Insert weathervane vid here.

Actually I doubt it Urb. She has a looonnng history with the teachers and it would be quite amazing if she and Fassbender pulled in their horns now.

If she listens and adjusts you haul out the weathervane. Ha ha ha ha . . . and you conveniently forget that the BCTF has had trouble reaching agreements with ALL governments and in fact this is the only government with whom they've been able to negotiate a deal. But somehow it's all Christy Clark's fault! Surprise, surprise!

[flamingfingers]

Dear Christy is the only one who has proposed a 10-year deal with teachers and is offering nothing but demanding strips to their contract and you find it surprising that the teachers are not willing to bend over again?

[goatboy]

When will you all realize that parents and British Colombians don't give a hoot about CKNW poll or Justcie Griffin, they just want their kids to be able to go to school in peace and right now they blame the teachers, rightly or wrongly. The BCTF has lost this round already and need to learn how to play this game for the long term. They are going down in flames again, you watch.

[George+]

There are just a few legal challenges to sort out here
before anyone goes down in flames.

Ultimately, the BCTF has to do what they and voting teachers,
believe is best for teachers and their students.

Clark and Fassbender have yet to recognize this.

[alfred2]

they will do what is fair for teachers NOT THE CHILDREN, they will use them as usual as pawns, and lie about it good for children

[KGT]

School districts across B.C. planning deep cuts to balance budgets


School boards across B.C. are considering eliminating more than 350 jobs in order to balance their budgets.

BY TRACY SHERLOCK, VANCOUVER SUN APRIL 16, 2014
VANCOUVER -- School boards around the province are facing at least $56 million in budget cuts and considering eliminating more than 350 jobs heading into the new school year.

And that doesn’t include some districts that have not yet released their budget figures for next year, including Surrey, the largest district in the province.

In Coquitlam, the province’s third-largest school district, the shortfall is $13.4 million on their $270-million total budget, which could mean the elimination of 163 full-time jobs including 103 teachers, support staff, special education assistants and school administrators.

The Vancouver district is faced with a $12.34-million shortfall, which could mean the loss of 70 full-time positions, including controversial decisions like cutting elementary school band or eliminating the district’s athletic coordinator. Next year could be even more challenging because Vancouver schools are facing a $26.6-million shortfall for the 2015-16 school year.

While Vancouver’s budgetary woes have been caused at least in part by declining enrolment — districts are funded by the province on a per-pupil basis — many districts, such as Central Okanagan and Delta, are facing shortfalls despite the fact enrolment is projected to increase.

Budget cuts are still necessary in many areas because the overall provincial budget for education has remained flat, while rising costs — such as support staff wage increases, hydro cost increases, Medical Services Plan premiums and other mandatory benefit costs — are not being covered by the provincial government.

“The stories are coming out publicly about the difficulty boards are having,” said Teresa Rezansoff, president of the B.C. School Trustees’ Association. “The cost pressures are mounting and it’s rough budgeting ... and trying to keep it as far away from the classroom as you can. But the reality is that everything we do has an impact on the classroom.

“Trustees and boards are working really hard and diligently to be responsible with the dollars they are given. They are taking great care in their budget process to make sure that there is stability for students, which is a key priority.”

B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Council president Terry Berting said the budget shortfalls and tough decisions can be very frustrating.

“Without a doubt, we recognize that there are financial issues throughout the districts,” Berting said.

In Vancouver, the first of several public meetings on the district’s budget was held Tuesday night with a standing-room-only crowd.

Vancouver school board chairwoman Patti Bacchus said she does not support any of the suggested cuts and said the trustees will be faced with making “impossible” decisions.

Vancouver’s proposal to cut elementary school band programs is already facing strong opposition, with the Coalition for Music Education in BC and the Access to Music Foundation both voicing their concern in a statement calling for the district to maintain current funding.

“The educational benefits gained from participation in a school band or string ensemble, taught by a qualified music specialist teacher, are not replaceable with any other means of instruction. These benefits include self-expression and non-verbal communication through an instrument and development of individual skills on an instrument while creating something with others that is bigger than oneself,” the coalition’s letter states.

Bacchus said both music and sports interests were well-represented at the public meeting. The proposal to eliminate the athletic director in Vancouver is also controversial because that person coordinates the leagues between schools for all sports, so those leagues may not be able to operate.

Boards of education are required to pass balanced budgets by June 30 each year, however many districts plan to approve their budgets by April 30.

Sun Education Reporter

[email protected]

Around the region: Where are the shortfalls?

COQUITLAM

Facing a $13.4-million shortfall on a budget of approximately $270 million. Enrolment is projected to fall by 20 students and the district is considering cutting 163 position, including 103 teachers, 22 support staff, 34 special education assistants and four school administrators. The cuts to teachers include 33 librarians from the district’s elementary and middle schools and many specialist teachers, such as speech language pathologists and other specialists. The district is also proposing restoring some positions in communications, food services and school administration and creating a new finance position, which was a recommendation of a forensic audit that was looking at an unexpected $10-million deficit that occurred last year. The final decision will be made by the end of April.

VANCOUVER

Facing a $12.34-million shortfall on a budget of approximately $500 million. The district is considering cutting 70 full-time positions, closing continuing education for adults, eliminating band for elementary schools and many other cuts.

NANAIMO

Facing a shortfall of $5.4 million on a total budget of approximately $115.8 million. Nanaimo is facing declining enrolment and has lost 16.5 per cent of its student body since 2002-03. The district has come up with ideas that total $6.8 million in cuts, including 44 full-time jobs (19 teachers and 25 support staff).

MAPLE RIDGE-PITT MEADOWS

Facing a $5.02-million shortfall, which it is considering making up by cutting clerical staff, support teachers, classroom teachers, English Language Learning staff, secondary school career planning support staff, information technology staff, support to trustees, maintenance staff, eliminating a summer reading program, and changes to school busing for special needs students.

CENTRAL OKANAGAN

DISTRICT

It’s facing a $4-million shortfall on its operating budget of approximately $178 million, the Kelowna Daily Courier reports. A staff report in that district recommends average funding per pupil, which is how the district hires staff, be cut by $70 to $4,430 to save $1.3 million. Other possible cuts include technology funding, discretionary budgets for senior administrators, the budget for a learning centre, maintenance and school resources.

DELTA

Facing a $3.28-million shortfall on its budget of approximately $156.8 million. The district will make up $1.5 million of this shortfall by using reserves, while it is proposing to make up the remainder by increasing student-teacher ratios to cut more than 10 teacher positions, cutting one trades position, one English language teacher and supports for students with special needs. The total cuts are for 18.69 full-time positions.

BURNABY

Facing a $3.1-million shortfall on its a budget of approximately $220 million. District staff have presented budget reduction proposals totalling $4.38 million, which include eliminating 42 full-time positions through increasing class size in secondary schools, reducing non-enrolling teachers, reducing principals and vice-principals and cutting eight custodians.

NEW WESTMINSTER

Facing a $2.69-million shortfall on its approximately $61-million budget. The school district is already about $5 million in debt to the provincial ministry of education for prior year spending, the Royal City Record reports.

RICHMOND

Facing a $2.5-million shortfall on its budget of approximately $215 million. District staff have not yet made any suggested cuts, Richmond school board chair Donna Sargent said, adding the district has been meeting with the public and intends to present suggested cuts at a May 5 public meeting.

GREATER VICTORIA

Facing a $1.8-million shortfall on its budget of approximately $170.8 million, the Victoria Times Colonist reported. The board is going to close one elementary school, and is considering reducing the budget for supplies, closing a district resource centre, relocating a girls alternative program, and eliminating school learning mentors.

KAMLOOPS THOMPSON

Facing a shortfall of $1.68 million on its $128.7-million budget. It is using $1.2 million in reserve funds and reducing the number of teaching staff by 18 and support staff by 15.

ABBOTSFORD

Facing a $1.5-million shortfall on its total budget of approximately $167.3 million. With enrolment declines projected, the district is considering eliminating four teachers and two support staff, as well as using accumulated surplus to cover the shortfall.

NORTH VANCOUVER

Budget directions will be presented April 22. “We are planning a ‘status quo’ budget, with no significant additions or reductions in any single area,” district communications manager Victoria Miles said, adding the board expects to pass a balance budget on May 27.

SURREY, WEST VANCOUVER, SAANICH: Figures have not yet been released, but Surrey is facing a shortfall.

[flamingfingers]

Excerpted from post above:

While Vancouver’s budgetary woes have been caused at least in part by declining enrolment — districts are funded by the province on a per-pupil basis — many districts, such as Central Okanagan and Delta, are facing shortfalls despite the fact enrolment is projected to increase.

Budget cuts are still necessary in many areas because the overall provincial budget for education has remained flat, while rising costs — such as support staff wage increases, hydro cost increases, Medical Services Plan premiums and other mandatory benefit costs — are not being covered by the provincial government.

“The stories are coming out publicly about the difficulty boards are having,” said Teresa Rezansoff, president of the B.C. School Trustees’ Association. “The cost pressures are mounting and it’s rough budgeting ... and trying to keep it as far away from the classroom as you can. But the reality is that everything we do has an impact on the classroom.

The second paragraph is the crux of the whole matter.

[erinmore3775]

It is hard to imagine that the outlined shortfalls a large number of School Boards across the province are being forced to deal with could be blamed on mismanagement by the Boards or on the teachers of these Boards. The real responsibility lies with the fiscal management of the Provincial government.

You cannot negotiate wage settlements and then dowload the costs onto the Boards without having an effect on the product produced. These decisions directly affect students and the way student programs are delivered. The way Boards are having to deal with these shortfalls is to cut service to mandated programs or to cut so called frills like acredited and supported music and arts programs or competitive sports activities. There is something very wrong here.

I have been reading about budget shortfalls to Boards for years. The Province and the Ministry of Education has done little to address the problems. Neither have they done anything to rectify the illegalities identified by the Supreme Court decision. These are decisions made by a government that promised good fiscal management and to put families first. If I ran a business like they are doing I would be out of business and possibly fined and in jail. I feel very sorry for any Board of Education trustee, they do have impossible choices. However, I feel really angry that my grandchildren may/will be attending schools with reduced music, phys ed, and most of all support programs. These results cannot be blamed on the teachers. The blame lies totally with the present provincial government.

[flamingfingers]

^So well put. Thanks erinmore.

[Urbane]

It is hard to imagine that the outlined shortfalls a large number of School Boards across the province are being forced to deal with could be blamed on mismanagement by the Boards or on the teachers of these Boards. The real responsibility lies with the fiscal management of the Provincial government.

You cannot negotiate wage settlements and then dowload the costs onto the Boards without having an effect on the product produced. These decisions directly affect students and the way student programs are delivered. The way Boards are having to deal with these shortfalls is to cut service to mandated programs or to cut so called frills like acredited and supported music and arts programs or competitive sports activities. There is something very wrong here.

I have been reading about budget shortfalls to Boards for years. The Province and the Ministry of Education has done little to address the problems. Neither have they done anything to rectify the illegalities identified by the Supreme Court decision. These are decisions made by a government that promised good fiscal management and to put families first. If I ran a business like they are doing I would be out of business and possibly fined and in jail. I feel very sorry for any Board of Education trustee, they do have impossible choices. However, I feel really angry that my grandchildren may/will be attending schools with reduced music, phys ed, and most of all support programs. These results cannot be blamed on the teachers. The blame lies totally with the present provincial government.

You previously posted some excellent suggestions for budgetary adjustments and I agreed conditionally or fully with most of them. Exempting school boards from the carbon tax and the GST, trimming Ministry expenses, and cutting back on district level administration were a few of the suggestions made. Of course I don't want to see arts programs eliminated either so when we are really at that danger point more money needs to be added. However, let's look at the suggestions that you posted, and others, before believing that there are no more efficiencies to be found.

In theory I agree that when the provincial government negotiates contracts they should in fact be funding any increases that they have negotiated. However, by not doing so the government has forced districts to look at areas that needed to be adjusted. For example, Vernon School District found some efficiencies in their transportation network and SD 23 have trimmed $430,000 by cancelling the teacher collaboration program which has been taking place during class time. A few years ago, when VSB said that they were millions short with no efficiencies to be found, an independent audit found otherwise so I think we need to be careful about accepting at face value what we hear from school boards.

So what now? Those in power at the provincial and district levels should look at the suggestions that you previously posted. After all possible efficiencies are found and essential programs like our arts programs are truly in jeopardy then more money needs to be spent. Also, the government either needs to win its appeal of that court case or factor in some extra spending should they lose. Ideally they will reach an agreement with the BCTF but that never has seemed to be a likely scenario. And given all of the above there is no question that any salary increase above what the government has already offered to teachers should be put on the back-burner.

One final thought: While I don't always agree with you (but often do) I very much appreciate your analysis and commentary. Thanks.