VANCOUVER – CUPE K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee (PBC) and British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) had a long day of bargaining today that included some encouraging movement from both tables.
Discussions will resume again early Thursday morning.
“I am optimistic on the direction that bargaining is going,” says K-12 Presidents Council President Warren Williams.
We encourage members to continue to be updated through our website: bcschools.cupe.ca.
VANCOUVER — The K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee (PBC) continued for another day of bargaining together with the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA).
The K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee (PBC) found today to be a challenging and long day. Some of the discussions were focused on Violence in the Workplace, Job Evaluation, Training, and the Support Staff Learning Improvement Fund (SSLIF).
“I’m proud of our committee for sticking to its principles,” said K-12 Presidents Council President Warren Williams.
Find bargaining updates and additional information on the updated K-12 website at:
bcschools.cupe.ca
The Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education, for the first time ever, include a category for support staff in public schools. Nominations have been extended and now close on June 30.
The “Outstanding Support” category is open to support staff currently working in the K–12 public school system (i.e. bus drivers, crossing guards, student supervisors, educational assistants, aboriginal support workers, custodians, maintenance, and clerical).
The Premier’s Award is an opportunity for government to recognize “the enormous contribution of education professionals who go above and beyond to make life better for students in B.C.”
Get more information and nominate your favourite CUPE K-12 member in the category of Outstanding Support on the BC Government web site.
BURNABY – Provincial bargaining dates have been set and the K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee (PBC) is prepared to start bargaining.
CUPE locals are participating in training sessions set up in their respective regions to get ready for these negotiations. Visit the CUPE BC gallery to view photos.
The K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee (PBC) met on May 22 and 23 in Burnaby to review survey results and develop proposals incorporating members’ issues and concerns raised through the provincial bargaining survey. One in four members from throughout B.C. participated in the survey that provided valuable input.
“The PBC is a group of dedicated members that collectively have many years of knowledge and experience,” said K-12 PBC President Warren Williams. “They will undoubtedly serve the members of our sector well as we continue to prepare for and begin provincial bargaining.”
The provincial bargaining committee was elected from all regions of B.C. and will meet with representatives of BCPSEA (British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association) to develop bargaining protocols.
Williams said that the PBC remains dedicated to achieving the best possible agreement for the K-12 Presidents Council and all K-12 support staff. The current contract for K-12 support workers expires in June 2019.
For more information including a list of PBC members, please visit our updated website at bcschools.cupe.ca.
BURNABY—A bargaining survey for CUPE K-12 members has closed and preliminary results are being tabulated.
“Thanks to all the members who took the time to respond, we received a high level of participation,” said K-12 Presidents Council President Warren Williams, noting that more than one in four members completed the survey. “Over the past 16 years our members took the brunt of cuts to education and they want their voices heard to improve conditions for students in B.C. schools.”
CUPE members participated through either an online or paper version of the survey. The survey will inform the provincial and local bargaining.
Following are some of the survey results.
Violence in the Workplace:
38% of all respondents have experienced an angry or abusive encounter with a member of the public.
65% of all respondents have experienced an angry or abusive encounter with a student.
Education Assistants and violence:
85% of EAs have experienced an “angry or abusive” encounter with a student.
Affordability:
Only 22% of respondents are paying less than 30% of their income on housing (the amount that CMHC says is considered affordable).
38% are paying more than 50% of their income towards housing.
42% of respondents are working less than 30 hours a week.
Workload:
55% say that there is only sometimes, rarely or never enough time to complete their work in a day. In other words, only 45% say there is usually or always enough time to complete their work in a day.
Provincial bargaining team members have been elected in most regions and the K-12 Presidents Council has reviewed survey results to develop provincial bargaining proposals. The collective agreements for the K-12 sector expire on June 30, 2019.