So where to start...it has been awhile since we last posted ---local bargaining, provincial elections, and provincial bargaining filled the spring and through to the end of the year. Just a few things on our plates.
And then we had a summer break. Here we are back in the classrooms - can you even remember what a glorious summer it was?
Classrooms may have changed for you, or they may be the same. Bargaining is still happening - at least at the provincial level. The government has announced a plan to change the face of bargaining, and threats of an imposed 10 year contract have been in the news. We were prepared early in the school year to support our CUPE brothers and sisters, and know that the provincial CUPE bargaining has an offer on the table, but also know that locally CUPE is still struggling with attempts by the employer to strip their contract. The BCTF has returned to court to seek resolution regarding our own stripped contract language - something we all believed had already been dealt with in a previous court case.
All of these issues aside, we know you are back working with students and doing your best to ensure that this year will be a positive experience for all. During school visits we have seen that you are positive and that you know the job we do makes a difference.
We are looking forward to Jim Iker, president of the BCTF, attending our first General Meeting on Tuesday, October 8th at the Creston Hotel. We will see you there
