On October 20, 2005 facilitator Vince Ready released non-binding recommendations to resolve the dispute between the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the BC Public School Employers’ Association.
The report addresses key issues in the public school system and provide the basis for an expeditious return to work for teachers. Highlights include recommendations that the BC government provide:
- $40 million towards harmonizing teacher salary grids throughout the province. The parties should meet within 60 days of returning to work to determine how funding will be applied;
- $40 million, on a one time basis, towards long term disability benefits (LTD). Currently, BCTF members pay the entire cost of LTD coverage. The parties should also conduct a study of benefits with a view to harmonizing LTD;
- $5.2 million towards teachers on call including: a uniform daily base rate, placement on the provincial salary grid and accumulation of seniority. The parties will meet within 20 days of their return to work to address issues arising from this recommendation;
- increased teacher representation on the Learning Roundtable in order to enhance effectiveness; and
- $20 million to address learning conditions, class sizes and special needs students with consideration for increased funding in the future. The government should consider amending the School Act with respect to class size limits and mechanisms for enforcing such limitations.
Mr. Ready also recommended that the government establish an ongoing process for regular communication between the government and the BCTF concerning teacher issues.
Both the B.C. government and the BCTF have adopted these recommendations. Teachers returned to work on October 24, 2005.
Recommendations of the Facilitator Presented to the parties by Vincent L. Ready on October 20, 2005.