I have never particularly appreciated the tactics of the BCTF and I think that independant MLA Bob Simpson has a very good understanding of what is going on from all sides in his note on Politicizing Education
However, I find myself in the unexpected position of needing to support the BCTF at least somewhat. While I believe they need to let go of their demand for any wage increase, I do not see how Bill 22 is in anyway treating them with respect. The full bill can be read at:
Section 5 of the bill says that “the parties must continue or commence to bargain collectively in good faith”. The bill is not structured to encourage this however. Apart from the wage demands that I agree must be relinquished, section 13 of the bill on the “restricted scope of bargaining” basically lists off all the other issues that the teachers have and moves them off the table. Then section 7 on “Offences” prescribes fines that would see teachers paying something like 2 times what they earn in fines ($475/day) if they didn’t fill out report cards (breaking section 3.1.c “every employee must continue or resume his or her full duties”). Finally, section 24 defies any court ruling in the last 10 years and any that may be made in the future (is that even legal?) by redefining the teacher’s collective agreement since 2002.
Honestly, does this really set up an environment in which bargaining can be done in good faith?
The result of this bill will undoubtedly be continued animosity during the “cooling off” period, followed by a legislated contract at the end of August. If that is the goal, then why not just legislate it now and stop the pretence of bargaining.
While the BC Conservatives may not see eye to eye on everything with the BCTF, we will bargain with them in better faith than this. As John Cummins pointed out, the Bill should have dealt simply with ending the strike and not throwing all these issues into the mix.
