The BC Teachers’ Federation is once again confronting the BC Liberal government in a fight over major issues like education funding, class room sizes, and better working conditions. And once again, the BC Liberals are exposing their authoritarian brand of lawmaking, challenging teachers to respond.
The BC Liberals are appealing to the Labour Relations Board that exams and report cards be deemed an “essential service” in a transparent attempt to effectively repeal the teachers’ right to strike.
The Labour Relations Board has already ruled that the BC Public Schools Employers Association, the arms-length bargaining agent, can impose a ten per cent pay cut despite the fact they partially locked out the teachers on June 2.
The teachers have responded with district-wide rotating strikes starting June 2. They are voting June 9-10 for a province-wide strike mandate.
Here’s a selection of readings to better understand what’s going on, from the big picture to the classroom floor and the picket lines.
Background
A history of bad faith in BC Liberals’ dealings with teachers
Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun
Updated: Everything you need to know about BC teacher bargaining
Katie Hyslop, The Tyee
Essential reading
The ABCs of the BC teachers’ fight
Tara Ehrcke, RankandFile.ca
Debunking myths: 8 untrue statements about BC education
The Coal Mine (blog)
Letter from BC teacher to Christy Clark
BC teachers and the politics of eduction funding
Tara Ehrcke, RankandFile.ca
News
Province moves to make exams, report cards essential services
Tracy Sherlock, Vancouver Sun
BC teachers to vote June 9-10 on province-wide strike after pay cut ruled legal
CBC News
June 4 2014
Striking BC teachers reduce wage demand
Alexandra Posadzki, Globe and Mail
June 4 2014
BC government appeals court ruling slamming its abuse of bargaining rights of teachers
Roger Annis, RankandFile.ca
Teachers speak out
Why I will vote ‘yes’ for escalating job action
The Coal Mine (blog)
Why I’m on the picket line
Tara Ehrcke, Staffroom Confidential
Worth Fighting For
Ryan Harrington (blog)
Teachers and on why we strike
Melissa Fong (blog)
More coverage
Putting children first means supporting the teachers
Miranda Nelson, Straight.Com
June 3 2014
B.C. teachers’ math lesson: workers + labour rights = stability
H.G. Watson, Rabble.ca
How to fund improvements in B.C. schools: A matter of political will
Seth Klein, Rabble.ca