CUPE’s K-12 school bargaining committee is demanding that the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) live up to its mandate or resign immediately.
In Vancouver to plan bargaining strategy 0061006e0064 action in light of the employers’ rejection of provincial table bargaining for 47 CUPE locals 007400680065 24-member school bargaining committee was unanimous in calling for bargaining or the resignation of the BCPSEA.
“The absurdity and waste of energy caused by the employer for what are clearly political reasons must be brought to an end,” said Anita Moore, chair of the bargaining committee. “School support services are being threatened in every part of the province because of budget short falls. We are stunned that trustees, who claim to have the interest of students and education at heart, are not prepared to work hand-in-hand with us to ensure support services are adequately funded.”
In the last round of bargaining, the BCPSEA played a key role intervening in negotiations at the local level. Yet this round, faced with a united position among the CUPE education locals, the provincial employers’ group has said that it’s not willing to negotiate on a province-wide basis.
“The trustees were quick to jump on the provincial bandwagon last round,” said Gary Johnson, chief negotiator for the support staff. “Now that CUPE wants to harness its energy to negotiate issues common to everyone at one table, the majority of trustees, the BCPSEA and their overseer reject the suggestion out of hand.”