1.

More teaching positions

The Education Fund will mean hundreds of new teach-
ing positions. The governments $75 million Learning
Improvement Fund stipulated that 20% went exclu-
sively to CUPE members. But there was no guarantee
that the remaining $60 million would go to
teachers. In fact, in 2012, only $29 million went directly
to teachers salaries. By contrast, the new fund we
negotiated will see $75 million this year, building to
$85 million, go exclusively to hiring more classroom
and specialist teachers. The government didnt want to
commit this money specifically to teachers. Only two
weeks ago, Premier Christy Clark said improving class
composition wasnt about more teachers. But we
pushed back against that position successfully.
2. Our Charter rights defended
We successfully asserted our Charter rights against a
government determined to nullify any future court
victories. Knocking E80 off the table is a significant
victory, one only possible because we educated British
Columbians about this unjust demand. The reopener, if
we win the appeal(s), will allow us to start any future
negotiations with the illegally stripped language back
in place. That is a position of strength we never had in
this round.
3. Important legal advice
Not only did the government back down on E80, they
ultimately agreed to the exact replacement language
that was proposed by the BCTF in consultation with our
legal team, the same team that has successfully
defended our rights twice.
4. Salary increase is front-end loaded
We all know that the salary increase is not what we
were hoping for, nor is it what teachers deserve.
However, it is front-end loaded to ensure that the
increase we did achieve builds over time to maximum
benefit.
5. Immediate funds in teachers pockets
By using the grievance remedy to get more money on
the table, we were able to take the uncertainty around
court rulings in the future and turn it into meaningful
financial gains in the present. The $105 million can be
used as a one-time payment to members that will be
distributed equitably. This remedy does not affect
potential restoration of contract language, should that
be awarded in a future court decision.
6. Prep time gains for most
elementary teachers
The majority of our elementary teachers, who now have
the lowest preparation time in Canada, will get a boost.
Most locals only have 90 minutes of prep time per week.
This agreement will increase that to 100 minutes and
then again to 110 minutes. We achieved a new, and
much-needed, base in prep time that we can build on in
future negotiations.
7. No concessions
We forced the government to withdraw the school
calendar proposal they wanted to achieve. Their
proposal would have enabled school districts to
unilaterally change the school calendar and teachers
hours of work without any say from teachers. Imagine
the BC Education Plan with free range over your
schedule and work year.
8. TTOCs make gains
This tentative agreement will help our most vulnerable
membersTTOCs who are too often underemployed
and underpaid. Our gains in TTOC compensation will
ensure they are paid fairly and build experience credits
for every single day they work. It also ensures they get
seniority for each day worked.
9. Benefits improvements
The vast majority of teachers will have access to better
extended health and dental coverage, and TTOCs will
see improvements in lieu of benefits.
10. A mass movement to defend
public education
Throughout this round, we put public education front
and centre day after day. We pushed the government
off their agenda, built unprecedented public support,
and ensured British Columbians firmly understand the
issues facing our students and schools. Going forward,
we can build on that momentum and understanding,
both in our classrooms and in our communities. This
movement, which was sparked by our collective bargain-
ing process, will have impacts far beyond this round, and
will be effective in holding trustees accountable in the
upcoming November municipal elections.
10 reasons to vote YES