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Bargaining 2011. Summer Conference. Setting the table. Local bargaining. Collective agreement expires in June 2011 Negotiations opened in March 2011 We want to change the bargaining structure to move bargaining back to the local level. Why are we here?. Bargaining pre–1987.
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Bargaining 2011 Summer Conference Setting the table BC Teachers’ Federation
Local bargaining • Collective agreement expires in June 2011 • Negotiations opened in March 2011 • We want to change the bargaining structure to move bargaining back to the local level Why are we here? BC Teachers’ Federation
Bargaining pre–1987 • teachers not included in Labour Code until 1987 • bargained with local boards • salaries and benefits only • binding arbitration if no agreement—no strikes BC Teachers’ Federation
Bargaining blooms 1987–1994 • BCTF unionizes—local is the bargaining agent • local bargaining—full-scope • some strikes, some lockouts • mostly settled without job action BC Teachers’ Federation BC Teachers’ Federation 4
Local bargaining in 1987 resulted in: • class-size limits • caseload ratios • school-based teams • duty-free lunch breaks • learning specialist teacher ratios • specified hours of work • defined work year • professional autonomyand more BC Teachers’ Federation
Provincial bargaining and the amalgamations 1995 • PELRA creates BCPSEA • imposes two-tiered provincial bargaining (with most issues bargained provincially) – the bargaining “split” • amalgamates 21 school districts into 10 BC Teachers’ Federation
1998 Direct deal with government NDP government makes deal with BCTF: • 0%, 0%, 2% salary (other unions very unhappy) • class-size limits K–3 • specialist teacher ratios • TTOC improvements BC Teachers’ Federation
2002–Now Bargaining with handcuffs on • 27, 28—the “Bills” • three-year contract imposed • legislation strips class-size, composition, hours-of-work provisions • essential services imposed • vaporizes agreements in amalgamated districts BC Teachers’ Federation
2005 Walking “in harmony”with Vince • another imposed contract • frozen wages • enough is enough! teachers vote to walk out • lasts for 10 days, public support high • Vince Ready brokers a deal BC Teachers’ Federation
Improvements made Teachers voted to return to work after gaining… • $40 million for grid harmonization • new provincial category 5+ • $40 million SIP rebate • $20 million to reduce class sizes (by hiring more teachers) • increased daily rates for TTOCs • on-scale pay for TTOCs after third day worked (retro to day 1) BC Teachers’ Federation
2006 The “bonus” bargain • after 2005: first-ever negotiated deal with BCPSEA • five-year agreement • salary increases of 12%—15% over five years • harmonization to top steps of salary scales • 2% SIP allowance • 90 minutes/week minimum prep time for elementary • portability of seniority and sick leave BC Teachers’ Federation
2006 Improvements (continued) • reimbursement for loss of professional materials or damage to vehicle • employment equity commitment for Aboriginal teachers • optional 12-month pay plan • recruitment and retention allowances • $4,000 “signing incentive” BC Teachers’ Federation
What we lost(provisions stripped from the provincial agreement in 2002) Former Collective Agreement class sizes Kindergarten: 20 Grade 1-3: 22 Grades 4–12: in accordance with local collective agreements (legislated class sizes) Kindergarten: 22 Grades 1-3: 24 Grades 4-7: 30 Grades 8-12: 30 + (with “consultation”) BC Teachers’ Federation
What we lost(provisions stripped from the provincial agreement in 2002) Non-enrolling staffing ratios: Teacher librarians: at least 1 to 702 students Counselors: at least 1 to 693 students Learning Assistance teachers: at least 1 to 504 students Special Education teachers: at least 1 to 342 students ESL teachers: at least 1 to 74 identified students These were firm limits that could be exceeded only in special circumstances and with the agreement of the local. BC Teachers’ Federation
Today’s context • over 3,000 teaching jobs lost since 2002 • our agreement expires in 2011—one year after other public sector agreements • BC teachers’ salaries falling behind other teachers in Western Canada and Ontario • government insists on “net-zero” agreements in public sector • essential services legislation still in effect BC Teachers’ Federation
Salary comparisons with other Canadian education sectors (2009–10) BC Teachers’ Federation
Prep time comparisons with other Canadian education sectors (2009–10) BC Teachers’ Federation
What came next for the locals? • locals adopted objectives • Bargaining Conference adopted Provincial Objectives • Bargaining opened March 2011 and is on-going BC Teachers’ Federation
BCTF Member Survey April 26–30, 2010 1,001 members Viewpoints Research, Winnipeg BC Teachers’ Federation
Class size/composition worsened since 2002 Since 2002, have class size and composition improved, stayed about the same, or become worse? Improved 2.4% Stayed about the same 18.8% Worsened 73.4% Don’t know/not applicable/not teaching in 2002 5.2% Refused 0.2% BC Teachers’ Federation
How has your workload changed? Compared to last year: Increased 47.4% Decreased 5.7% Not changedsignificantly 40.9% Don’t know/refused 6.1% BC Teachers’ Federation
Main reason for workload increase: Class composition 12.2% Class size 19% Increased student needs 15.2% Additional duties/paperwork 14.1% Lack of resources/budget cuts 13.1% Layoffs/fewer teachers 9.1% BC Teachers’ Federation
96.8% say negotiatingclass size and composition important Very important 81.7% Somewhat important 15.1% Not very important 2.0% Not at all important 0.5% Don’t know/refused 0.7% BC Teachers’ Federation
Importance of issues in next contract TOP 5 Not very important(%) Extremely important(%) Limits on class size 1.5 2.1 5.0 17.2 73.6 Providing more support for students with special needs 1.5 2.4 7.8 20.1 67.7 Improving class composition(limits on number of studentswith special needs) 1.7 2.4 9.9 20.3 65.2 Salary increase 2.7 5.8 20.3 32.6 38.0 Improving extended healthand dental benefits 4.0 9.0 24.6 29.2 33.0 BC Teachers’ Federation
Importance of issues in next contract NEXT 4 Not very important(%) Extremely important(%) Reducing workloads 5.5 7.3 23.9 30.4 31.6 More prep time 7.9 11.2 28.6 26.7 24.5 Improvements for teachersteaching on call 8.5 13.1 30.3 25.6 20.7 Improvements in fillingvacant positions 9.0 10.8 33.5 24.0 19.3 BC Teachers’ Federation
67.3% support local bargaining Refused 1.0% Don’t know/depends 7.3% Strongly support 44.6% Strongly oppose 11.9% Somewhat support 22.7% Somewhat oppose 12.6% BC Teachers’ Federation
Needed: A better alternative for teachers • new model of bargaining approved by November 2009 BCTF Representative Assembly • new model will return more control to the local level, with targeted money to meet local needs • discussions have started with BCPSEA and government BC Teachers’ Federation