Collective bargaining for the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the provincial government is set to resume after the union declared an impasse earlier in the month.
The B.C. Teachers’ Federation said Friday (Jan. 23) the resumed talks would begin the week of Jan. 26, “following meaningful commitment from the provincial government that honours our members’ priorities.”
The union declared an impasse in negotiations over classroom conditions on Jan. 13. At the time, the union said the provincial government refused to provide additional funding to address priorities that “other public sector workers have received.”
The union said teachers have reported increasing class complexity and violence due to unmet needs, as well as reduced time for lesson preparation, assessment and individualized student support.
In response to the impasse, teachers across the province “mobilized, sending thousands of messages to government officials and demonstrating strong public solidarity.”
As a result, according to the Jan. 23 news release from the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, the union’s leadership had a “series of discussions” with senior government representatives and the government “came forward with a commitment to address key priorities.” That included teacher workload and improved learning conditions for students.
The B.C. Teachers’ Federation executive committee voted to return to the bargaining table after that.
“The progress made shows that collective action and advocacy work,” said union president Carole Gordon. “While there is still work to be done at the table, there is now a real opportunity to reach an agreement that supports teachers and students.”