When it comes to negotiating strategies the British Columbia Teachers Federation looks like it's a couple of nickels short of a full loonie.
First, on the basis of needing smaller classes and more input into classroom management, the federation asked for a fully-paid, bereavement package like no other in the western world. How increasing paid time away from the classroom will improve education is beyond me, but as an opening gambit to bargaining it struck me as counterproductive and quite frankly as anti-teacher.
Can you imagine any other unionized worker going to the boss and saying, "If I'm away a lot, things will get better."
Second, and while still on the classroom size issue, the BCTF demanded wage parity with Alberta and Ontario teachers. Again, how would an increase in wages improve classroom conditions? Plus, if you want Alberta or
Ontario wages, move; it's a free country.
The final straw in the BCTF case though has to be the federation's reaction to the appointment of Dr. Charles (Chuck) Jago as a mediator under Bill 22, The Education Improvement Act.
The BCTF has lit its hair on fire over Jago's role in the process. The federation says he lacks mediation experience and is too close to the Liberal government.
That's nonsense.
As The Citizen story about his appointment noted, Chuck Jago was instrumental in securing the UBC medical school for Prince George as well as chairing the working group that brought a cancer clinic for our city. Under Jago's leadership UNBC became one of the top small universities in Canada. His leadership credentials are remarkable.
In short, Chuck Jago knows how to get to yes.
Looking at the Education Improvement Act, it's difficult to see what's bugging the BCTF. The act says, "The parties must continue to or commence to bargain collectively in good faith and must make every reasonable effort to conclude a new collective agreement that is consistent with this Division."
There's nothing onerous there, just that both sides must get back to the table.
On mediation, the act says, "The Minister of Education must appoint a mediator to assist the parties in settling the terms and conditions of a new collective agreement in accordance with this
section."
Net zero costs are still a part of the conditions, but that's a given and applies to all B.C.-taxpayer funded
bargaining units.
So why the grousing about Jago? According to the act, he's there to assist; both parties are still responsible for negotiating. The BCTF says it wants a negotiated settlement, as does everyone, so why not just back to the table and negotiate.
I get the feeling the BCTF simply wants to stay on the warpath. Their job action over the school year shows the Federation has little interest in improving education in B.C. Clearly, the BCTF is opposed to the Education Improvement Act, because it's contains a no strike-no lock out provision.
As for opposing Jago's assistance, the federation is simply stalling. If it wasn't Jago it would be some another excuse to avoid bargaining. The time frame would be wrong, or the room the wrong colour or whatever.
At the end of the day, the BCTF has ticked off the wrong guy. Those of us who know Chuck Jago know he's a producer. He can take a good idea and make it better. Plus, the record shows he has had the ear of the former NDP government as well as the current
Liberal government.
If there is anyone in the province who could make a convincing case for improving the lot of B.C. teachers, either in the classroom or on the salary grid, it's Chuck Jago.
But, and it's a big but, only if the BCTF had a case to make. I would suspect the BCTF knows it has a hopeless argument, hence its rejection of mediator Jago.
Too bad, because the big losers in all of this are our B.C. students.
Go ahead, make my day.
Wednesday's Citizen carried a front-page story about our potholed roads and there's no doubt we have a problem. However, as one who's put on thousands of kilometres in the past few years, I can tell you the worst municipal roads I've seen lately are in Carmel, California.
Movie buffs will tell you actor Clint Eastwood was mayor of Carmel from 1986 to 1988, and while Dirty Harry may have struck a chord for law and order, he sure didn't do much for the streets. So take heart Prince Georgians, we don't have the worst roads on the continent. Drive around Carmel for a while; it sure gives a brand new
meaning to the term Rawhide.
