The head of the BC Teachers' Federation is applauding last week's judgment from the Court of Appeal ruling the Province's "gag law" on third-party political spending was unconstitutional. It means unions and other groups will now be allowed to advertise in the lead-up to provincial elections. Susan Lambert says plans are already underway for a new … [Read more...]
Adrian Dix withholding judgement over BCTF drive to hike taxes for education
October 1, 2012 by
The leader of the NDP is withholding judgement on the BC Teachers Federation seeking a jump in taxes to pay for education improvements. Adrian Dix was asked where he sits when it comes to hiking taxes to pay for hiring teachers "The education system today is funded with tax money everyone understands that is the case under the current … [Read more...]
BCTF wants 5800 more teachers hired
October 1, 2012 by
The B-C Teachers Union wants the Provincial Government to spend half-a-billion dollars more on education. BCTF President Susan Lambert is urging the province to adopt a plan to begin to bring BC's education funding and services up to the national average. She says, "we have been so chronically underfunded for so long." For starters, Lambert is … [Read more...]
BCTF to release brief arguing for more education funding
October 1, 2012 by
The BC Teachers Federation says this province lags behind many others in Canada when it comes to funding, and the teachers plan to reveal a brief Monday. BCTF President Susan Lambert is set to make a case to bring BC's level of education funding up to the national average. According to a press release issued by the BCTF on Sunday, as a percentage … [Read more...]
BCTF declares “year of provincial action”
September 4, 2012 by
It's a new school year, but many old wounds remain between the teachers' union and the provincial government. Even before the opening bell rang, there was disagreement on the playground of Vancouver's Simon Fraser Elementary. Not between kids, but the Education Minister and president of the BC Teachers' Federation. George Abbott and Susan Lambert … [Read more...]
Court win for BCTF
August 3, 2012 by
The BC Teachers Federation has won its appeal of an abritrator's ruling dating back several years. At issue is a decision concerning class size limits, which are spelled out in the BC School Act. In both 2009 and 2011 an arbitrator created the so-called "Rule of 33" which allowed exceptions to class size limits in certain cases, where … [Read more...]
Education Minister calls BCTF ratification vote “terrific”
June 30, 2012 by
After the BCTF ratification vote BC's Education minister is hoping the next academic year will be free of any job action. George Abbott also isn't reading anything into the fact 48% of teachers didn't vote at all. "I am first off just very pleased that they were able to secure over 75-percent ratification I think that is terrific … [Read more...]
BCTF and BCPSEA reach agreement
June 26, 2012 by
A deal has been done...The BC Teachers' Federation and their employer coming to terms on a tentative one-year agreement, after weeks of talks with mediator Charles Jago.Education Minister George Abbott says the agreement is in line with the province's net-zero mandate. "It gives us some things to still work on. One of the elements in this agreement … [Read more...]
BCTF and BCPSEA reach tentative agreement
June 26, 2012 by
The BC Teachers' Federation has reached a tentative agreement with the employer, the BC Public School Employers' Association. Education Minister George Abbott has released the following statement: "We are pleased that mediation has resulted in a tentative Memorandum of Settlement between the British Columbia Public School … [Read more...]
LRB sides with BCTF on extra-curricular activities
June 15, 2012 by
Unionized teachers in this province have scored another victory against the Christy Clark government. The Labour Relations Board has ruled in favour of a ban on volunteer work by members of the BC Teachers' Federation. Today's decision has dismissed claims by the BC School Employers Association most extra-curricular activities should be considered … [Read more...]
