Your K-12 sector provincial bargaining committee was back at the negotiation table this week. This was our 4th session with the B.C. Public Schools Employers’ Association in this current round of talks towards a new provincial framework agreement.
The two-day session was productive, with us reaching agreement on several non-monetary issues such as safety in the workplace and assisting locals in preventing contracting-out.
Your bargaining committee also presented our monetary proposals to BCPSEA, including our position on a general wage increase.
Rising costs and underfunding have left us all struggling to support students and their families while we are also struggling to support ourselves and our families. We have been clear with the employer — our public schools and school support workers are running on empty.
Your bargaining committee is united in our goal at the table—getting the fair deal we all need and deserve. Our wage and other monetary proposals are fair, reasonable, and comparable with what other CUPE locals have successfully bargained at tables across the province.
While there is still a lot of work for us to do to get a tentative agreement, we are coming to a critical stage. Your continued support is crucial. We encourage you to make sure your contact information is up-to-date with your local, and that you continue to monitor your emails, our Facebook page @CUPEK12BC, and our website bcschools.cupe.ca for updates.