BC teachers ratify new collective agreement
By Nelson Daily Staff
In a media release, the BC Government said members of the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) and the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) have ratified an agreement under government’s Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate.
The mandate focuses on improving services for people and ensuring fair and affordable compensation.
The agreement covers more than 45,000 teachers represented by the BCTF who deliver education to students in the province’s 60 school districts.
Negotiated with the assistance of a mediator, the agreement includes:
- A three-year term (July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2022);
- general wage increases of 2%, 2% and 2%;
- a 1% increase in 2020 to the top step of the teacher salary grid in each district; and
- a mediated process on how to support successful bargaining negotiations in future years.
The agreement was voted online over a three-day period as current events prohibited the teachers from meeting in schools or local district offices.
After votes were tabulated, the new collective agreement was approved by a 98 percent margin by teachers.
- 31,838 BCTF members voted
- 31,087 voted in favour
- 751 voted against
Currently, about 300,000 public-sector employees – 90% – are now covered by tentative or ratified agreements reached under B.C.’s Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate.
