Hours before the provincial government is expected to pass controversial legislation aimed at resolving the labour dispute, Susan Lambert, president of the British Columbia Teachers Association, doesnt hold back when asked if teachers hands are tied.
The legislation calls for six-month cooling off period on job action and a mediator to negotiate under the governments net-zero mandate where raises can only be achieved through tradeoffs within the contract. It prohibits job action during the cooling off period with stiff fines for infractions.
We sure feel the government has a bully club out and weve got our backs against the wall. Theres no doubt this is very assaulting legislation, Lambert said Tuesday afternoon. Its a very sorry day when government uses such legislation against its own school teachers and engages in a pitched battle in the media with ads and radio spots. Its not providing teachers with any sense that government is supporting them or the work they do.
Education minister George Abbott has indicated Bill 22 will pass Thursday afternoon. Lambert said teachers are considering all the options at their disposallegal, political and personal. Decisions about what actions will be taken will be reached during the BCTFs annual general meeting, which runs from March 17 to 20.
Of course were going to look at the constitutionality of the bill. Its already been a matter of debate in the press as to whether or not this bill has all the hallmarks of previous bills that this government has legislated that have violated peoples constitutional rights, Lambert said, citing Bills 27 and 28, which the B.C. Supreme court struck down. This bill ignores that ruling.
But a legal battle wont provide teachers with short-term satisfactionit took years before Bills 27 and 28, which dealt with the BCTFs right to negotiate class size and composition, were declared unconstitutional.
Several union locals across B.C. have passed motions to withdraw participation in extracurricular activities in communities including the Sunshine Coast, Sooke, Maple Ridge, Burnaby, Penticton, West Vancouver, Kamloops and Mission.
Vancouver schools are on a two-week break until March 23.
Lambert said teachers feel underappreciated and working conditions have deteriorated to the point where they say they cant meet individual students needs, which leads to professional anxiety.
Its leading teachers to reexamine their commitment to the work and how they can make it more manageable, she said.
When asked if she meant more union locals might vote on withdrawing from extracurricular activities, she said, It could mean that, it could mean other things. Thats certainly one that members in locals across the province are raising.
Lambert noted that the BCTF likely wont announce further actions until after the AGM, while conceding its possible no further actions will be taken.
Absolutely thats an option, she said. [But] From what I hear around the province teachers want to do something.
Twitter: @Naoibh
