(This story has been updated since it was posted Nov. 9.)
Contract talks
The B.C. Teachers' Federation and the B.C. Public School Employers' Association (B.C.PSEA) remain far apart in negotiations to reach a collective agreement.
Teachers launched phase one of their job action when school started, calling it a teach-only campaign.
Melanie Joy, B.C.PSEA board chair, said discussions over the last few meetings centred on the cost estimate of BCTF proposals that the employers' association provided.
"Now we're just waiting for the BCTF to come to the table with a costing as well, so then the discussions can be held on those points," Joy told the Courier Monday. "The discussions before that were basically on processes, so now we're moving a bit forward."
Joy noted job actions typically don't start until talks get "stilted."
The employers' association filed an application with the Labour Relations Board Oct. 26 asking it to rule on whether teachers must prepare and distribute report cards and on a request that the BCTF "reimburse each school district monthly an amount equal to 15 per cent of the total gross salaries and benefits costs paid to or on behalf of BCTF members by the school district for that month."
"The BCTF is doing a submission on Monday Nov. 14 and B.C.PSEA will then do a final response submission on Nov. 18. Then it will be a few days after that [for a decision]," Joy said.
Labour board rulings in 2001 and 2005 found teachers didn't have to prepare district report cards, but Joy maintains this situation is different.
"It was decided then, so that's what was brought forward for this round, but it was a different time of the year and it was a different strike," she said. "This year, being that the strike is taking place on the first day of school-we've never had that happen before."
Joy wouldn't speculate on how long negotiations might take or if the teachers' job action could escalate.
"We're very far apart. There's still the $2.1 billion on the table from the BCTF proposal and a zero mandate and nothing's moved on that. Conversations are taking place at the table. As long as they're still meeting, I am still very positive we can come to that collective agreement."
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»School Board superintendent Steve Cardwell released a statement Monday indicating students will get reports cards, but they'll likely only include the name of their teacher, courses and attendance information. The School Act requires parents receive a minimum of three formal report cards over the school year, which is why they're being sent home.
During the job action, teachers are continuing to plan, teach, gather and record assessment and evaluation information, Cardwell noted in his statement.
Teachers are also communicating student progress through individual feedback, marks on assignments, tests and other methods of assessments.
"We encourage you to contact your child's teacher directly or contact the school office to leave a message asking that the teacher contact you, should you have any questions about your child's progress," Cardwell advised parents.
"Teachers are participating in a legal job action. We appreciate that these situations can be difficult, however we remain committed to providing excellent learning experiences for our students in safe and caring learning environments. We further hope that the two parties will reach a mutually negotiated settlement and that the current labour dispute will come to an end soon."
BCTF president Susan Lambert told the Courier negotiations have "crawled to a very halting pace."
"I can't say there's any substantial progress happening at the table," she said, while adding there are no plans by the BCTF to escalate the job action.
"We are doing a teach-only campaign. Kids are learning. Teachers are teaching and parents should be confident that will continue. We are prepared to put all our energy and focus into the bargaining table and advocating that government shift its net zero or sub zero mandate."
Lambert called the employers' application to require teachers to prepare and distribute report cards "an unnecessary and very provocative escalation."
"Teachers are communicating with parents. I think they're finding it very satisfactory, the level of communication that's coming from teachers. There is no call on the part of parents to have report cards deemed an essential service. They know how their children are doing."
Twitter: @Naoibh
