What the teachers' union and provincial government are asking

So what’s really on table? What’s keeping the BC Teachers’ Federation and the provincial government from reaching an agreement?

Teachers began job action on April 23, before escalating into rotating strikes on May 26. On Tuesday, the strike evolved into a full-blown job action phase.

Here are the latest collective bargaining proposals from each side, as of June 16, 2014.

BCTF Proposal

The BCTF proposes a 5-year term (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2018).
The BCTF wage proposal includes a significant signing bonus of $5,000 and general wage adjustments:
The BCTF proposal also includes an additional increase equal to the difference between the actual GDP and the forecasted GDP to take effect on the first pay day after February 1 in the collective agreement.
The BCTF is also seeking:
- “Shortening” of the teacher salary grid from 10 steps to 8 steps by removing the first 2 steps on the grid.
- Restoration of three salary grid categories removed during the salary harmonization process in 2006.
- Increases to all allowances by set percentages.

Provincial Government Proposal

BCPSEA proposes a 6-year term (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2019) with an optional seven-year term (expiry June 30, 2020), which would attract an additional increase.
Date of Ratification: $1,200 signing bonus per FTE teacher if agreement reached by June 30, 2014, prorated for teachers who work less than full time or who started during the school year. TTOCs are also eligible for the signing bonus,which will be calculated on the proportion of time actually worked relative to a full time, full year employee.
- July 1, 2014 – 1.0%
- February 1, 2015 – 2.0%
- May 1, 2016 – Economic Stability Dividend (ESD)
- July 1, 2016 – 1.0%
- May 1, 2017 – ESD
- July 1, 2018 – 1.0% plus ESD
- July 1, 2018 – 0.5%
- May 1, 2019 – 1.0% plus ESD
If a 7-year term is agreed to, additional increases as follows:
- July 1, 2019 – 0.5%
- May 1, 2020 – 1.0%
BCSPEA also proposes a residual compensation allocation – a collaborative process to allocate the remaining $11 million from the total compensation package.

BCTF Proposal

Coverage for teachers on the Salary Indemnity Plan (SIP – long term disability) to be the same as teachers who are actively at work.
Upon the teachers’ death, continuation of benefits for dependents for a period of 12 months.
Mandatory participation in the benefits plan.
Improvements to the extended health benefits plan:
- Massage Therapy – $3,000 per year maximum with a doctor’s prescription
The BCTF is seeking the following improvements to the dental plan:
- A phased transition from the current plan:
  - 100% plan A, no change
  - 60% plan B, increase to 75%
  - 60% plan C with $4,000 limit, increase to $5,000 limit
The BCTF also proposes that the employer have no ability to change benefits carriers without the prior agreement of the union.

Provincial Government Proposal

BCTF Proposal

Include all definitions of parents including birth fathers and adoptive parents.
Top-up of 100% for pregnancy leave.
Top-up for 60% for parental leave.

Provincial Government Proposal

Update provisions in districts to reflect the current provisions of the Employment Standards Act and standardize the provision
SEB negotiable subject to the residual compensation allocation

BCTF Proposal

The BCTF proposes that each teacher employee would receive the following funding:
- October 1, 2014 – $350. For each year following, increase the same as applied for salary grid: October 1, 2015 – 1.5%; October 1, 2016 – 1.5%; October 1, 2017 – 1.5%.
AND, each teacher employee receiving the Recruitment and Retention allowance would also receive:

Provincial Government

BCTF Proposal

The BCTF proposes increases to preparation time as follows:
Elementary:
- Effective July 1, 2014 – 120 minutes
- Effective July 1, 2015 – 150 minutes
- Effective July 1, 2016 – 180 minutes
Secondary (current provision is 194 minutes or 12.5% per instructional week):
- Effective July 1, 2016 – an additional 1 day.
- Utilization at full discretion of the teacher.
- A classroom move would result in awarding of 2 additional days of preparation time.
- All preparation time “lost” (e.g. due to statutory holidays, non-instructional days, and meetings) to be “made up”.
The BCTF is also proposing that teachers teaching on call (TTOCs – substitute teachers) would receive the same preparation time as a regular teacher, or pay in lieu.

Provincial Government Proposal

Negotiable, subject to the residual compensation allocation and sound educational practice.

BCTF Proposal

Provincial Government Proposal

Placement on teacher salary grid from day one to a maximum of Category 5, Step 6.
Experience credit: 180 days = one year for all TTOCs (standard provision).
Full reimbursement for TTOCs used to replace BCTF members on union leave.
Employer prepared to pay the full cost of a TTOC instead of the replacement cost of the BCTF member on union leave where no replacement is required.
Resolution of outstanding grievances with respect to the above two matters.

BCTF Proposal

$2,300 per FTE teacher for schools added to the list in 3 districts that move from partially to entirely captured, plus 2 schools in another district.

Provincial Government Proposal

BCTF Proposal

Allocation of additional funds to resolve all outstanding grievances, with amounts and parameters as yet unidentified.
Further, the BCTF proposes establishment of an annual Workload Fund, with no amount specified, for class size composition and staffing ratios:

Provincial Government Proposal

Class sizes currently contained in legislation (The School Act) to be included in the collective agreement.
Learning Improvement Fund ($75 million) moved into collective agreement to address issues of class size and composition.
Joint fact-finding committee to establish an improved base of information regarding non-enrolling teachers and other specialists.
Process to allow court action to unfold regarding the BC Supreme Court decisions, and revisit outcomes at a later date.

Featured Image: Classroom via Shutterstock