CUPE’s talks with the BC Public Schools Employers’ Association will continue on September 16, but a lack of progress on a reasonable wage increase for education workers in BC’s K-12 system threatens to shut down the public school system.

“We don’t have endless patience. Our members have been without a wage adjustment for four years. We are seeking an extremely modest raise with no concessions, but the government won’t even offer that,” said CUPE spokesperson Bill Pegler.

Other public sector settlements signed in the last year have included two percent wage increases in each year of the agreement. CUPE education workers’ demands are in line with these settlements. “By refusing to offer education workers what has been offered to other public sector units, the government is inviting a province-wide strike that will shut down the whole public school system,” said Pegler.

“The government’s negotiating position is irresponsible to parents and insensitive to the system’s lowest paid workers.” In addition, the government is proposing to cut paid sick time by two thirds and cut sick day pay by 15 percent for the newest employees. Recent polling conducted by Ipsos for the Canadian Union of Public Employees reveals broad support among British Columbians for a wage adjustment for education assistants and other education workers in BC’s K-12 system. Survey highlights include: 81% believe that education support worker wages should keep up with inflation. When told the average annual earnings for CUPE education workers, 62% of British Columbians say these workers are under-paid. 66% believe that BC’s schools need more government funding.

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Support Staff Bargaining Update From Employers ( BCPSEA)

 

The parties met throughout the weekend. Progress was made but not to the point of agreement.

The employers led by Peter Cameron have made a final offer with respect to the framework agreement’s cost parameters. The unions have requested further costing details and have not yet responded to the offer.

Another bargaining session is set for Monday, September 16. We have received no indication to expect any job action that might impact schools in the meantime.

Additional information will be communicated to school districts this week.