Welcome to the CUPE BC K-12 Presidents’ Council site
The K-12 Presidents’ Council represents 57 CUPE locals in school districts across British Columbia.
CUPE represents more than 30,000 education workers including: education assistants, school secretaries, custodians/caretakers, Indigenous support workers, IT workers, Strong Start facilitators, trades and maintenance workers, and bus drivers.
We strive to protect quality public education for all.
Your K-12 provincial bargaining committee is pleased to announce we have reached a tentative provincial framework agreement with the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA).
“This was a tough round of bargaining, but our committee worked hard and was determined to get a fair deal for our members that was in line with other provincial public sector agreements,” says Paul Simpson, president of the K-12 Presidents Council. “This framework agreement recognizes the vital role school support workers play every day in our public schools and represents a step-forward in strengthening this province’s public education system for all students.”
Further details on the tentative framework agreement will be released when presented to the K-12 Presidents Council for endorsement next week. When endorsed, the 4-year provincial framework agreement (PFA) will then be incorporated into the local collective agreements negotiated by school support locals and their respective school districts. Members will ratify provisions of the framework as part of their local collective agreement.
This tentative agreement would not be possible without your engagement, support, and patience. The bargaining committee is confident this framework is a solid foundation for locals to address their own priorities at local table bargaining with their respective school districts. Provincial bargaining is a collective effort of members, activists, leaders and staff. Our solidarity leads to success at our local bargaining tables.
Your bargaining committee met with the employer this week, March 25-26. Over two very long days, we had productive discussions with the BC Public Schools Employers Association (BCPSEA). But we still have work to do on some of our key priorities, and it has been challenging to reach a consensus at the table.
As you know, many of the issues we prioritized are very complex. We are spending a significant amount of time and effort in our deliberations as a committee. Our membership has an extensive array of diverse jobs and classifications in 59 districts. So, we are being diligent to ensure our proposals are not only fair, but fair for everyone throughout our sector.
We are going back to the table shortly, meeting with BCPSEA April 9-10. Your bargaining committee remains optimistic that we are coming closer to a tentative framework agreement. We are strongly united and committed to getting the best deal we can and are prepared to put in the time and work to get it right.
We want to thank all members for their patience during this very long and tough round of bargaining.
Thank you for your on-going engagement, support and solidarity. We will update you shortly after the April session, or if any there are any new developments. Please ensure your contact information is up to date with your local and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
Your K-12 provincial bargaining committee will be returning to the bargaining table March 25 and 26 with the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA). We have also scheduled another session for April 9 and 10 if needed.
As we reported in our last update, we believe we are on the path to our ultimate goal- a fair tentative agreement. With members showing we are prepared to collectively do whatever it takes, pressuring BCPSEA to table a revised monetary offer at our last session, we are optimistic a deal is coming.
But there is still work ahead of us. Several issues addressing our key bargaining priorities still need to be resolved. Your bargaining committee is fully prepared going into this session with everything we need to deliver results for all members.
We know, with the continued support of members across the province, we are sending the province and BCSPEA a clear message: we deserve better and the students and families we support deserve better. We will get a deal that acknowledges the crucial role we play in public schools and addresses the key priorities members asked us to take to the table.
We are aware our friends and colleagues in other unions have achieved gains and assure you that through our own unique provincial bargaining process we on the same path.
We will update you on our progress as quickly as we can. Please watch out for updates to your personal emails from your local, on our website bcschools.cupe.ca and our Facebook @CUPEK12BC.
Your bargaining committee met with the employer today for a pivotal meeting towards K-12 school support workers getting the deal we deserve.
We are pleased to report that the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) committee tabled a revised monetary offer. There is still considerable work to be done to get a provincial framework agreement, but your bargaining committee believes there is a path towards a fair deal. We are working with the employer on securing more dates to get back to the table. Members will be updated as soon as the next session is scheduled.
While the bargaining committee is optimistic, we are not at the finish line yet. It is very clear that the employer and the provincial government have seen that school support workers are united and we are all ready to do what it takes to get a fair deal. So, until we have that deal, we will keep the pressure on.
It has proven to be a long and tough round of bargaining, but the encouragement and support of members has been a great source of energy and inspiration for the bargaining committee.
Together we will get our deal.
Words cannot express our sadness about yesterday’s tragedy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, part of SD #59 – Peace River South.
Our thoughts are with the victims, and our condolences go out to their families and the people of Tumbler Ridge in this deeply troubling time.
Our thoughts are also with our fellow public education workers and union friends in Tumbler Ridge and SD #59 – CUPE 4992, representing district maintenance workers; the Peace River South Teachers’ Association; BCGEU Local 70, representing school support workers; and Teamsters 31, representing district bus drivers, mechanics and custodians. They are also with the emergency services workers and health care workers that responded to this tragedy and were there when people needed them most.
Please be assured you are not alone as your district and communities deal with the aftermath of this unthinkable tragedy. We know there can be much harm caused from the trauma of experiencing violence like this, particularly when it is in a public school and our workplace. You can count on our support in any way that we can.
To all members across the province, we know you’ll keep Tumbler Ridge and our friends in SD #59 in your thoughts and will offer the support you can too. But please remember that seeing and hearing news and social media about violent events like this in our schools and workplaces can also be traumatic.
Please take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Don’t ignore the signs that you or a co-worker needs help. Reach out to your Employee Assistance Program (if available) or a health care professional if you need help.
BC Mental Health Support Line
Call 310-6789 (no area code). The BC Mental Health Support Line can help when you’re really upset or scared, but you can also call if you just need to talk with someone. They can also connect you to help in your community. It’s free, anonymous, confidential and available 24/7.
HealthLinkBC mental health supports and resources
KUU-US Crisis Response Services (culturally safe support for Indigenous people)
1-800-KUU-US17 or 1-800-588-9717 24hrs & toll-free
