MEMO TO:     Staff Reps – please circulate to your staff members

COPIES TO:   STA Executive Committee

FROM:            Jennifer Wadge, President

Date:              June 17, 2013

School Union Meeting Information

Information on the school union meeting regarding the government’s 10 year plan for teacher bargaining has been sent to schools in the courier and should be arriving today.  As well, an email was sent earlier today which included a link to the powerpoint presentation.  If you have any questions about the presentation, please contact the STA officer.  Due to the short timeline, it will not be possible for STA table officers or the executive committee to visit all sites and make the presentation.  If your school does not a have staff rep, or the staff rep will be away, please contact the STA office so that we can make arrangements for an STA table officer to visit your school and make the presentation.  The union meeting and presentation should be completed by June 21^st.  Please send all feedback to pres@surreyteachers.org  Feedback from the presentation will be helpful when the BCTF local presidents meet to give advice to the BCTF executive committee on possible responses to the government plan.

Provincial Bargaining Update

The current Report from the Table from the BCTF Provincial Bargaining Team is now available. Since both parties (BCTF and BCPSEA) have agreed that such updates will be posted on members-only secure websites during this round of bargaining, you will need to log in to the MyBCTF portal to view this update. https://bctf.ca/myBCTF/ReportFromTheTable/

Extended Health Benefits Premium Increase

The district has informed the STA that due to increasing pressure on the Extended Health Benefits Plan due to rising drug costs, paramedical costs, our aging workforce and increased usage, the monthly premium rate will be increasing by 11.46%.  For a full-time employee, the new extended health monthly premium will be $20.74, with the employer share increasing to $82.96.  The dental plan monthly premium will remain the same.  The new extended health monthly premium will be reflected on employee’s June benefit deduction.

CUPE Bargaining

CUPE locals and possibly other support staff unions are in the process of taking local strike votes, and many will be taking non-disruptive, low level strike actions over the next two weeks to keep their strike votes alive. CUPE Local 728, which represents support staff in Surrey, will be taking some low level actions in the next two weeks but have assured the STA that these actions will not prevent teachers from entering their worksite.

All indications point to more concerted and sustained strike actions in September if progress is not made in negotiations.

Please offer whatever support you can to our CUPE brothers and sisters.

“Negotiations at the provincial level broke down completely in April after six months of fruitless bargaining. More than 70 percent of the 27,000 CUPE K-12 workers in BC are now under a strike mandate. Virtually all of the 57 locals are expected to have completed their strike votes by the end of this month.”

For a full update please visit http://bcschools.cupe.ca/

Purchase of Service

A reminder that any teacher considering purchase of service should consider submitting their application prior to June 30, 2013. Applications submitted to the employer before this date will be based on the current contribution rates.  As of July 1^st the employer and the employee rates will rise by a total of 2.6%.  The Purchase Of Service Application Package can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.pensionsbc.ca/portal/page/portal/pencorpcontent/tpppage/forms/tpp_pos_applic_fill.pdf

Or by contacting the Teachers’ Pension Plan directly at 1 800-665-6770, or your local school district HR department.

For more information on purchase of service you can read the PensionFact located on the TPP website:

http://www.pensionsbc.ca/portal/page/portal/pencorpcontent/tpppage/publications/pensionfacts/tpp_loa_pf.pdf

Electronic version of Advocate:

If you missed out on reading the latest Advocate, you can access it on our Surrey Teachers website:  http://www.surreyteachers.org/publications-resources/sta-newsletters/

Anti-Homophobia/LGBTQ Working Group Update:

This week the District’s new Safe and Caring Schools: Sexual Orientation and Gender identity Regulation will be presented to the Trustees at Thursday’s Board meeting. The meeting will begin at 7pm. Those interested can attend the meeting to show their support! Please note that the regulation is attached for your viewing at this time, as well as the discrete statement of values to both the Anti-Discrimination & Safe and Caring School Policies that will be brought to the board for approval in the fall.

STA Scholarships and Bursaries:

This year the Surrey Teachers’ Association will award six scholarships and six bursaries to the children of STA members. The deadline for applications is 4pm. Friday August 30^th.  More information including information on eligibility and application forms can be viewed/downloaded here: http://www.surreyteachers.org/sta-scholarships-and-bursaries/

Social Media Sharing: Speaking up about Public Education:

Last week it was announced that Christy Clark quietly boosted maximum salaries for top aides by 18% despite wage freezes for the public sector.  If you are feeling as enraged by that as those who wrote the following responses, feel free share them out or right your own response and send it to your MLA, education minister or premier.  http://blogs.theprovince.com/2013/06/12/editorial-b-c-liberals-should-be-ashamed-about-huge-pay-hikes-to-party-insiders/

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/mortgages/Barbara+Yaffe+Christy+Clark+Rollback+incendiary+hikes/8515984/story.html

The BCTF would like to share their newest radio ad! It’s quick, clear and addresses the current issues. https://soundcloud.com/#bctf/june2013radio

If you’re on twitter, you may want to respond to the following “Why I Teach” @bctf tweet and use #bced to keep the conversation going https://twitter.com/bctf/status/345258226234830848

Union  Myths and Facts.  Myth: “Unions are too big and powerful.”

Facts: Canadian unions are run by people like you and their resources come from members’ dues. Comparing “big unions” to big corporations is like comparing apples to watermelons, but it’s a trick that corporations and the media they own love to use.

Unions consist of everyday working people who elected representatives try to get the best deal for them. Elected union officers are accountable to the membership and have to run for election, unlike corporate CEOs. http://www.afl.org/index.php/Unions/union-myths-and-facts.html#Myth%207

June Calendar

June 18 – STA Executive Committee Meeting

June 19 – STARA Meeting and Thank You Dinner at Eaglequest Golf Centre

June 21 – STA Retirement Dinner at Guildford Sheraton Hotel

June 25 – STA Executive Committee Meeting

June 29 – Summer Vacation Begins

Joke of the Week

This week’s joke is the dirtiest of all jokes submitted for joke of the week.  Good job keeping things clean!

Why did the booger cross the road?

Because it was always getting picked on!

This week’s joke was submitted by Karen Ilett, Sullivan Elementary.  If you have a clean (but not necessarily teacher related) joke, please submit to pres@surreyteachers.org.   If your joke is selected, your name will be entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.  The next draw will take place on June 25th.

MEMO TO:                  Staff Reps

COPIES TO:                STA Executive Committee

FROM:                         Jennifer Wadge, President

Date:                            June 10, 2013

Minister of Education – Peter Fassbender

At a function held on Friday, June 7th, Premier Christy Clark announced the names of the newly appointed cabinet.  Peter Fassbender, Surrey – Fleetwood MLA, was appointed as the Minister of Education. Before serving as the mayor of Langley, Fassbender was a Langley school trustee.  Janet Steffenhagen has written an article about Fassbender’s time as a school trustee.

http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/06/09/peter-fassbender-and-the-back-to-basics-education-movement-in-the-70s/   Fassbender, along with the other members of cabinet, was sworn in this morning, followed by their first cabinet meeting.  It is expected that BCPSEA will be provided with a new provincial bargaining mandate from Minister Fassbender sometime before the end of June.

10 Year Deal- Staff Rep Information

Staff reps will be provided with a powerpoint presentation and other information on the 10 year deal sometime later this week or early next week.  Staff reps will be asked to hold a union meeting to present the powerpoint to teachers.  An envelope with instructions for staff reps and materials will be sent to schools in the courier.

Provincial Bargaining Update

The current Report from the Table from the BCTF Provincial Bargaining Team is now available. Since both parties (BCTF and BCPSEA) have agreed that such updates will be posted on members-only secure websites during this round of bargaining, you will need to log in to the MyBCTF portal to view this update.

https://bctf.ca/myBCTF/ReportFromTheTable/

Anti-Homophobia/LGBTQ Working Group Update:

Save the date! We have confirmation that the District’s new Safe and Caring Schools: Sexual Orientation and Gender identity Regulation will be presented to the Trustees at the June 20th Board meeting. The meeting will begin at 7pm. Those interested can attend the meeting to show their support!

STA Bowling Social – June 20, 2013

Back by popular demand! The STA will be hosting the second annual bowling and burger social.  The fun starts at 3:30 pm at Xcalibur Lanes, 12350 Pattullo Place.  If you are interested in attending email Cindy Tierney at ctierney@surreyteachers.org.  Make sure to include your burger request (beef, chicken or veggie).  See you there!

STA Scholarships and Bursaries:

This year the Surrey Teachers’ Association will award six scholarships and six bursaries to the children of STA members. The deadline for applications is 4pm. Friday August 30th.  More information including information on eligibility and application forms can be viewed/downloaded here: http://www.surreyteachers.org/sta-scholarships-and-bursaries/

Social Media Sharing: Speaking up about Public Education:

The Canadian Labour Congress organizes an annual One Minute Message Contest. Check out and share a few of our favorites!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCTEqsSGk_s&list=UUP15u1BRMN9E0_f1Bu-rShQ&index=6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrXYDGqfu2U&feature=share&list=UUP15u1BRMN9E0_f1Bu-rShQ

http://www.youtube.com/embed/9XRrCldfHs0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToI1I10a3J4&list=UUP15u1BRMN9E0_f1Bu-rShQ

Did you know? Union fact #24

Unions negotiate for union contracts – not strikes. Strikes develop when both sides cannot reach an agreement. Unions always conduct membership strike votes before taking strike action. Strikes are the withholding of labour by the workers to place pressure on the employer with the aim of encouraging agreement in negotiations. To union members, a strike means a hardship for themselves and their families. Nobody takes this decision lightly. The right to strike or withholds one’s labour and show solidarity among workers is a crucial to maintaining a union member’s ability to affect change in the workplace and fight for his or her rights. We do not get something for nothing!

June Calendar

June 19 – STARA Meeting and Thank You Dinner at Eaglequest

June 21 – STA Retirement Dinner at Guildford Sheraton

June 29 – Summer Vacation Begins

Joke of the Week

Q: What’s the difference between a TEACHER and a TRAIN?

A: The train says, “Choo! Choo!”… and the teacher says, “Spit out that gum!”

This week’s joke was submitted by Leah Barrington, Coyote Creek Elementary.  If you have a clean (but not necessarily teacher related) joke, please submit to pres@surreyteachers.org.  If your joke is selected, your name will be entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.  The next draw will take place on June 25th.

MEMO TO:        Staff Reps – please circulate to your staff members

COPIES TO:      STA Executive Committee

FROM:                 Jennifer Wadge, STA President

DATE:                 June 3, 2013

TTOC Shortage

The STA is very aware of the current TTOC shortage.  In a recent meeting with Deputy Superintendent Jordan Tinney, STA President Jennifer Wadge shared concerns from many schools about the lack of TTOCs, loss of preparation time, and general mood in schools, which is being severely affected by this issue.  Most recently, we have been told that the district is preparing to hire more TTOCs.  However, teachers should be aware that the district has taken the position that this issue will not be resolved solely through the hiring of more TTOCs.  The district’s position is that teachers are taking an increasing number of sick days, that there are teachers who are taking more sick days than they need (ie, misusing sick days) and that many of the TTOCs on the current list choose not to work in Surrey on a regular basis.  The STA has not taken the position that more TTOCs should not be hired.  In fact, we have been raising this issue regularly with the district and encouraging the hiring of more TTOCs.  We will continue to press the district on this serious issue.

Provincial Bargaining Update

Despite the suggestion from the provincial government that bargaining be postponed until the government provides BCPSEA with a new mandate, provincial bargaining resumed on May 28^th, with additional dates on May 29, 30 and 31^st.  As per the agreement between BCTF and BCPSEA, provincial bargaining updates will only be posted on a password protected site.  To read the most recent provincial bargaining update, you will need to log in to the members only section of the BCTF website.  https://members.bctf.ca/login.aspx 

Cabinet will be appointed on June 7th and sworn in on June 10th.  It is expected that BCPSEA will be provided with its new mandate shortly after the new Education Minister is sworn in.

Anti-Homophobia/LGBTQ Working Group Update

Save the date! We have confirmation that the District’s Anti-Discrimination Policy and its Safe and Caring Schools Policy & Regulation will be brought forward for approval at the June 20th Board meeting.  The meeting will begin at 7pm. Please stay tuned to future Monday Memos and June’s edition of The Advocate for how the STA can show our support!

STA Scholarships and Bursaries

Each year, the Surrey Teachers’ Association awards scholarships and bursaries to the children of STA members. This year, the STA will be awarding six $2,000 scholarships and six $2,000 bursaries. In order to be eligible for a scholarship or bursary, applicants must be the graduating children of STA members active during the applicants’ graduating school year. Applicants will only be considered if they have graduated from a public high school in any district. We encourage applicants to apply for both awards if they feel that they meet the criteria for both to increase their chances. This year’s deadline for applications is 4pm. Friday August 30^th. Application forms can be downloaded here: http://www.surreyteachers.org/sta-scholarships-and-bursaries/

Social Media Sharing: Speaking up about Public Education

Use the following  link to listen to and or share quick soundbites from Susan Lambert’s interview on Voice of BC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqXBP5_wfGw&list=PLBz7U118IPivaC1wuxiHGY8MAJQZYHpJG

Stephen Petrina, UBC Professor of Media & Technology Studies, celebrates BCTFs landmark victory in academic freedom and freedom of expression! Check out and share his recent blog on this important milestone for BC teachers.   http://blogs.ubc.ca/ices/2013/05/27/bc-teachers-federation-scores-landmark-victory-in-academic-freedom-and-freedom-of-expression-bcpoli /   

Did you know? Union Fact # 23: Collective Agreement Duration and the Possible 10-year contract

The average duration of the 238 agreements signed in Canada in 2012 was 36.8 months; almost 40.0% of all agreements had durations falling in the 36 to 47 months range. Since 2004, the average duration of major collective agreements has fluctuated between approximately 35 and 50 months. To read more go to: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/labour/labour_relations/info_analysis/publications/overview/collective_bargaining_2012.shtml#TOC7

June Calendar

June 4 – STA Executive and Committee Chairs Liaison Meeting/ Executive Meeting

June 6 – Mentoring Celebration

June 6 – Wellness at Beecher Street, Crescent Beach

June 6 – EI Meeting for Laid Off Teachers at Eaglequest

June 19 – STARA Meeting and Thank You Dinner at Eaglequest

June 21 – STA Retirement Dinner at Guildford Sheraton

June 29 – Summer Vacation Begins

Joke of the Week

Q: What do you call two dinosaurs that have been in an accident?

A: Tyrannosaurus wrecks!

This week’s joke was submitted by Jennifer Kimbley, Princess Margaret Secondary.  If you have a clean (but not necessarily teacher related) joke, please submit to pres@surreyteachers.org.  If your joke is selected, your name will be entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.  The next draw will take place on June 25th.

Joke of the Week Winner

Congratulations to Juniper Ridington, Ecole Simon Cunningham Elementary, this month’s joke of the week winner!  A $25 gift card will be sent in the courier. 

MEMO TO:             Staff Reps – please circulate to your staff members

COPIES TO:           STA Executive Committee

FROM:                    Jennifer Wadge, STA President

DATE:                     May 27, 2013

10 years – NO DEAL!

At the BCTF Representative Assembly on May 24th, Susan Lambert interrupted proceedings to read out two letters she had received from Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun education reporter.  One letter was addressed to Susan and the other was addressed to Alan Chell from BCPSEA (BC Public School Employers Association) but had been sent to media first.  Both letters were from James Gorman, Deputy Minister of Education.  As Susan read the letters, the room went silent.  The two letters were informing the parties that the mandate from government would be changing to reflect the Liberals’ election platform commitment to achieve a 10 year contract with teachers.  The letter addressed to BCPSEA went as far as to suggest that scheduled bargaining sessions might need to be cancelled. (BCPSEA and BCTF will still meet for the scheduled session on Tuesday).

More details about the mandate will not be available until a new Minister of Education is appointed in June.  However, government did release a white paper on the plan and it does include details, including that class size and composition would be moved out of the collective agreement and to a separate policy table. 

There is also concern that a contract may be legislated.  At her meeting with the newly elected Liberal MLAs, Christy Clark announced that there would be a summer sitting of the Legislature. 

Finally, there is the concessions, which have been tabled as themes in this round and were tabled in the last round as proposed new language.  The concessions  are in the areas of teacher evaluation and a professional growth plan. 

At this time, not much information is available.  We don’t know if the concessions will be part of the new mandate and we don’t know how long government will give BCPSEA to negotiate an agreement before they step in and legislate.  However, it is important that we prepare for any eventuality.  At the BCTF RA, two in committee motions were passed.  Information about those motions cannot be shared over email, but STA Executive members will be visiting schools to provide this information to teachers.

It is really disappointing that government has chosen to move ahead with the 10 year scheme.  Bargaining was progressing well.  Even Silas White, Vice Chair of BCPSEA and trustee representative at the bargaining table, said “we’ve actually had an extremely positive bargaining experience with the BCTF this round.  Really we’re hopeful that the new mandate will include some opportunities for fulfilling some of the requests that the BCTF has and included some support through resources, and some creativity in order to reach a deal.  Because I certainly think on the relationship side of things, we’re in a very good place and we wouldn’t want to see that compromised.” 

http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/2013/05/24/BCPSEA-says-10-year-teachers-deal-difficult-to-pull-off/

As well, BCTF and BPSEA had negotiated a framework agreement that moved some important items to the local table.  The STA and the district have continued to meet at the local bargaining table with the next session scheduled for Wednesday.  There is no information about how the new mandate might impact local bargaining.

Teachers in Alberta rejected a 10 year contract that would have included a guaranteed minimum 3% raise per year and additional money for class size.  The government had also promised to put money into the pension plan to support indexing.  Teachers rejected to contract because they did not want to be locked into a stale agreement, without the ability to negotiate as new issues arose. 

http://www.teachers.ab.ca/Publications/ATA%20News/Volume%2039/Number%201/Pages/Editorial.aspx

The two letters are attached, along with the government white paper on the 10 year scheme. 

http://www.surreyteachers.org/documents/Susan_Lambert_Ministry_Letter.pdf

http://www.surreyteachers.org/documents/Alan_Chell_Ministry_Letter.pdf

http://www.surreyteachers.org/documents/working_for_students_a_framework.pdf

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

STA Elections

The following Surrey teachers were elected to the STA 2013-14 Executive Committee.  Thank you to all those who put their names forward and congratulations to those elected.

President                                                         Jennifer Wadge

1^st Vice-President                                            Laura Barker

2^nd Vice-President                                          Gioia Breda

Professional Issues Officer                            Anne McNamee

Grievance Officer                                            Sue Heuman

Local Representative to the BCTF                Gurinder Sidhu, Devinder Kaila, Denise Moffatt,

                                                                          Helen Kelsey, Jatinder Bir and Angele Thibault

Secretary-Treasurer                                      Margo Christie

Teacher Teaching on Call Representative   Karen Moon

Members at Large                                          Kristine Olsen, Andy Nesdoly and Derek Imai

John Wyndham, Grievance Officer and Lori Wilson, Health & Safety Grievance Officer are in the middle of two year terms.

EI Information Meetings

The STA will be holding two EI information meetings.  On May 30th, the meeting will be for TTOCs.  Laid off teachers can attend the meeting on June 6th.   EI rules have changed, so these meetings are important.  To register, please email ctierney@surreyteachers.org. 

Pension information

Teachers who still have not bought back their pension for leaves of absence should be aware that the rates will increase as of July 1, 2013.  If you buy back your pension before July 1, it will be at the current rate.

Did you Know? Union Fact #22

In 2001, the BC Liberal government removed teachers’ right to strike by passing essential services legislation. In January 2002, the same provincial government stripped all class-size, staffing, and workload provisions from the provincial and local agreements. Most of the provisions guaranteeing support for students with special needs were also eliminated. The BC Supreme Court found that action to be a Charter violation and ordered it remedied within one year. The Liberal remedy: Bill 22, which reinstated word for word the exact same language. Public education is a great social equalizer. However, it is clear that this government does not want equality in our society.

Social Media Update:

In light of the leaked letters to the media re: “10 year contract” let’s remember not to get sucked into ‘feeding the trolls.’http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

Keep your messaging factual and feel free to reframe inflammatory comments back to our issues.

For some great sound bites on our issues, check out and share an interview with BCTF 2nd Vice President Glen Hansman on CKNW’s the Sean Lesslie Show:http://www.cknw.com/news/audiovault/index.aspx  about the Premier’s 10-year “proposal.” Choose May 26, 3 P.M. Once it starts, you can forward to about 10 minutes in, which is where the interview starts. The caller at 51min is also makes some great points. The caller makes a great analogy –would you sign a 10 year contract with your cell phone provider?! Please view/share the visual attachment!

For those teachers on twitter, you may want to follow some of the STA Exec (see accounts below). Teachers tweeting can also send accounts to Gioia, 2-vp@surreyteachers.orgto be shared with members in a future Monday Memo.

Jennifer Wadge: @JenWadge

Laura Barker: @LauraCBarker

Gioia Breda: @SoundsLikeJoya

Sue Heuman: @sjheuman

Denise Moffatt: @denisemoffatt

Anti-Homophobia Update:

We are waiting for confirmation from the district but as per last week’s Monday Memo, we are hopeful that the District’s Anti-Discrimination Policy and its Safe and Caring Schools Policy & Regulation will be brought forward for approval at the June 20^th Board meeting.

Last Week, GSA students in Maple Ridge, a District with a freshly adopted anti-homophobia policy, discuss why anti-homophobia education needs to begin in the earlier grades. Check out this article in Xtra. 

http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Start_antihomophobia_education_sooner_students_say-13604.aspx

STARA committee elections

All members interested in joining STA committees for the upcoming 2013/14 school year should submit their names and the committee to lornas@surreyteachers.org  Use the link provided to view the committees and link to information about them.

May/June Calendar

May 28 – STA Executive Committee Meeting

May 29 & 30 – Local Bargaining

May 29 – Mentor Training at DEC

May 30 – TTOC EI Meeting at Eaglequest

June 4 – STA Executive and Committee Chairs Liaison Meeting

June 6 – Mentoring Celebration

June 6 – EI Meeting for Laid Off Teachers at Eaglequest

June 19 – STARA Meeting and Thank You Dinner at Eaglequest

June 21 – STA Retirement Dinner at Guildford Sheraton

June 29 – Summer Vacation Begins

Joke of the Week

A farmer is wondering how many sheep he has in his field, so he asks his sheepdog to count them. The dog runs into the field, counts them, and runs back to his master.

“So,” says the farmer. “How many sheep were there?”

 ”Forty,” replies the dog.

 ”How can there be forty?” exclaims the farmer. “I only bought thirty-eight!”

 ”I know,” says the dog. “But I rounded them up.”

This week’s joke was submitted by Kelsey Enns, PTOC.  If you have a clean (but not necessarily teacher related) joke, please submit topres@surreyteachers.org.  If your joke is selected, your name will be entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.  The next draw will take place on May 28th.

MEMO TO:             Staff Reps – please circulate to your staff members

COPIES TO:           STA Executive Committee

FROM:                    Laura Barker, First Vice President

Date                         May 21, 2013

STA Annual General Meeting

The STA Annual General Meeting is being held tomorrow, May 22nd, 2013 at the Bombay Banquet Hall.  The STA AGM elects the members of the STA Executive Committee, including the full-time table officer positions and the members of the Resolutions and Finance Committees.  As well, the meeting sets the fee and the budget for the next year.  All members are encouraged to attend and can vote.  A butter chicken dinner will be provided.  Child care is also available but you must pre-register in advance with Laura Barker by noon Wednesday at1-vp@surreyteachers.org. The meeting officially starts at 4:00pm but you can come and chat-up candidates at 3:30. We look forward to seeing you there!

Local Bargaining

The STA Bargaining Team is continuing to meet at the table with the employer. We have been successful in signing off a few minor items and expect to come to agreement on a number of others. However, we also face a “cooperative gains” mandate (the new spin for the old “net zero” mandate of last year) as well as differing interpretations about what can be bargained at the local table. STA members who wish to attend an upcoming session of local bargaining should email Lorna Sheh at lornas@surreyteachers.org

Next observation dates: Wednesday, May 29 (9am -3 pm) and Thursday May 30 (9am-3 pm)

Election Reflection from Susan Lambert, BCTF President

Colleagues,

Teaching is important work. We teach future generations to be independent and critical thinkers able to take on the challenges and make the world a better place. That’s why we advocate for adequate funding, and the working and learning conditions we need to provide for students’ programs tailored to their individual needs. That’s why we developed Better Schools for BC, our public education platform. And that’s why we worked hard in the lead up to this election to raise education issues. Thank you for all the work you did in this massive advocacy effort.

We now face the challenge of a continuing government with a renewed majority mandate. The needs of the system have not diminished overnight and we will never give up on the kids of this province. We must remember that there are many new faces on both sides of the House and in the days and months to come we’ll be fully engaging with MLAs, educating them about the issues, and working to persuade them of the need to reinvest in public education and our kids’ future.

Latest BC Wage Settlement Data

While the government imposed a 2-year wage freeze on teachers’ last round of bargaining under their net zero mandate, and may be preparing to impose another 2-year wage freeze and contract strips on teachers under the current co-operative gains mandate, other public and private sector employees around the province have been free to negotiate fair and reasonable salary increases and improvements to their working conditions.

WorkSafe BC and Compensation Employees’ Union – 4% over 2 years, April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014

Legal Services Society of BC and BCGSEU – 6% over 3 years, April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2015

Regional and Community Colleges and FPSE – 4% over 2 years, April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014

BCIT and BCGSEU (Vocational Instructors) – 4% over 2 years, April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014

Find more details of more of the latest BC wage settlements for public and private sector employees here: http://www.bcbargaining.ca/Reports/2013/Settlements/SEV45N01February_March.pdf.

Anti-Homophobia Working Group update:

Last Friday, May 17th was International Anti-Homophobia/Transphobia Day. It marked the date in which the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of illnesses. This Friday Gioia met with Surrey’s Deputy Superintendent to finalize the proposed updates and integrate them into the District’s Anti-Discrimination Policy and its Safe and Caring Schools Policy & Regulation to protect the rights of LGBTQ staff and students and create supportive, inclusive working and learning environments. Tentatively save the evening of June 20th if you are interested in attending in support, as it is the likely date of the School Board meeting where these changes will made official. Please stay tuned. Also the UN just shared a new Human Rights Anti-Homophobia YouTube which would make a great teaching resource.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sYFNfW1-sM8

Adult Educators’ Worklife Survey:

BCTF Research, in collaboration with the Adult Education Advisory Committee, is conducting a survey to learn about many aspects of the worklife of adult educators who are invited to participate in the 2013 Worklife of Adult Educators survey. (A PDF version of the poster is also attached to this e-mail.)

You can access the survey here – http://survey.bctf.ca/AdultEducators2013/worklife_of_adult_educators_2013.htm

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Did you know? Collective Bargaining – Union Fact # 21

Teachers fought hard to get the right to bargain collectively, a right that is guaranteed to all under the conventions of the International Labour Organization. Canada has agreed to these conventions, and recognizing those rights is an obligation of all levels of government. Over the years that collective bargaining has existed for teachers in British Columbia, teachers have negotiated significant improvements for student learning conditions, as well as teacher conditions of work. BC teachers have consistently opposed government actions that would create worse classroom conditions and take away the rights of teachers to bargain. The alternative is to leave a legacy of inaction, poor contracts, and deteriorating teaching conditions for both ourselves and new teachers, an alternative that none of us wants to see. Read more about the history of teacher bargaining rights at http://www.bctf.ca/publications/NewsmagArticle.aspx?id=12104

May Calendar

May 21 – STA Executive Committee Meeting

May 22 – STA Annual General Meeting

May 24 & 25 – BCTF Representative Assembly

May 27 – Non-Instructional Day/Pro-D Day

May 28 – STA Executive Committee Meeting

May 29 & 30 – Local Bargaining

Joke of the Week

Kid comes home from the first day at school.

Mum asks, ‘What did you learn today?’

Kid replies, ‘Not enough. I have to go back tomorrow.’

This week’s joke was submitted by Gioia Breda (2nd VP of the STA).  If you have a clean (but not necessarily teacher related) joke, please submit to pres@surreyteachers.org.  If your joke is selected, your name will be entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.  The next draw will take place on May 28th.

MEMO TO:                  Staff Reps

COPIES TO:                STA Executive Committee

FROM:                         Jennifer Wadge, President

Date:                            May 13, 2013

Don’t Forget to Vote!

Many of you have made your voices known through advance polling and or have been volunteering your time!  Tomorrow, May 14th it’s imperative to exercise your democratic right to help elect a government that believes in restoring full collective bargaining rights and wants to invest in new teachers, librarians and counsellors with an emphasis on supporting students with special needs. It’s time for a change, colleagues.  Make sure you have a plan in place so that you can make it to a polling station and have your voice be heard!  You do not need to vote in your riding. Voters can vote at any general voting location in the province from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  Remember, all voters must prove their identity and residential address in order to receive a ballot.

Surrey Board Votes to Oppose Misuse of FSA Data

At the May 9th Board meeting, trustees voted unanimously in favour of Trustee Laurie Larsen’s motion to oppose the misuse of FSA data.  Trustee voted in favour of contacting the Minister of Education to express concern with the misuse of FSA data and to suggest that if the data cannot be properly managed, that the FSAs be replaced with a new test using a random sampling method.   Members of the Surrey Teachers’ Association Executive Committee were in attendance and gave the Board a round of applause following the vote. 

Anti-Homophobia Working Group update:

Last week Gioia met with the District’s Anti-homophobia working group where the final draft of what will hopefully become the District’s ‘Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Regulation’ was approved by the group. Stay tuned for the date it will be presented to the board! It was a poignant meeting in light of the media attention garnered by Liberal Candidate Mary Polak’s campaign manager stepping down. He stepped down saying he couldn’t campaign in a riding made up of, “people who think of me as less of a person because I am gay.” Polak as you may recall was on Surrey’s Board of Trustees and vocally supported the banning of books that were inclusive of LGBTQ families. You can read more here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/05/07/bc-mary-polak-campaign-resign-gay.html 

Status of Men in the Teaching Profession:  “Casual” Forum

Where: Central City Brew Pub,  13450 102 Avenue,  Surrey (North end of Surrey Central Mall by SFU)

When: May 15th, 3:30 – 4:00 pm Social;  4:00 pm Forum

All STA members are invited to come, find out about and participate in discussing important issues relevant to our membership today:  issues involving males in the workplace; men’s health and well-being; the possibility of a boy’s conference next year, and men’s presence in the various organizations involved in the teaching profession.

All members are encouraged to come and participate in the Forum.   Meet your colleagues in an atmosphere of collegiality and mutual support.  Find out about opportunities to get involved.

Refreshments/Appetizers will be provided (sorry, does not include alcohol).

To help in the planning, please RSVP to Lorna Sheh at the STA office, either by phone (604-594-5353), or by Outlook email, to say that you will be attending.

Thank you on behalf of the Status of Men in the Teaching Profession Committee.

Surrey Primary Teachers’ Association Event

The SPTA Annual General Meeting and Teacher Resource Garage sale is being held on Thursday, May 16th 3:45 to 5:30 at the Sullivan Community Hall (6306-152 Street).   

Bring your 25 copies of your best end of the year or September start up ideas to share with others. Walk away from the AGM with some great ideas to help you get through the busiest times of the year. We are also having a Primary Garage Sale. All retiring teachers or those who want to clean out and organize may rent a half table for $5. For those of you beginning your career, changing grade levels or looking for some inexpensive resources, come out and pick up some new ideas at a fraction of the original cost. All participants renting tables are responsible for their own “floats”, bags and clean up. The AGM will start at 3:45 and go quickly.  ”Garage Sale” to follow from 4:15-5:30. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. Bring a friend! RSVP Marie at harasymchuk_m@surreyschools.ca

Send table requests and money to Marie at Hazelgrove Elementary #208 no later than Friday, May 10th.

LST Teachers Connect on Twitter!

LST teachers in Surrey have created a new twitter hash tag named #sd36LST.  The purpose is to get more connected as Special Education teachers.  We invite teachers to check it out and contribute.

STA Annual General Meeting

The STA Annual General Meeting is being held on May 22nd, 2013 at the Bombay Banquet Hall.  The STA AGM elects the members of the STA Executive Committee, including the full-time table officer positions and the members of the Resolutions and Finance Committees.  As well, the meeting sets the fee and the budget for the next year.  All members are encouraged to attend and can vote.  A butter chicken dinner will be provided. 

Executive Committee positions for election (all positions are for a 1 year term, unless otherwise stated):

President

First Vice-President

Second Vice-President

Grievance Officer (2 year term)

Professional Issues Officer

Local Representative to the BCTF (6 to be elected)

Secretary-Treasurer

TTOC Representative

Member-at-Large (3 to be elected)

Committee positions to be elected:

Resolutions Committee (7 to be elected, 1 year term)

Finance Committee (2 to be elected, 1 year term)

If you are interested in putting your name forward for a position, you may submit a statement to sta@surreyteachers.org by May 15th.  Statements will be printed and distributed to members before the meeting.

STA Retirement Dinner

The STA Retirement Dinner will be held at the Guildford Sheraton Hotel on June 21st, 2013. Retiring members will be treated to a fabulous buffet dinner, as well as a dance with a live band and a special gift to thank you for your years as a member of the STA.  If you are retiring at the end of this school year, please contact Lorna Sheh at the STA office.

Did you know? Union Fact #20: Strikes/lockouts

There are very few strikes or lockouts in Canada. Over 95% of all negotiations end in a settlement without a work stoppage. Of those work stoppages that do happen, most last only a short time. The reason it seems like there are more strikes than actually happen is because the media often reports on “threatened strikes” that never take place. And since it is often necessary to threaten to strike to get the attention of the employer at the bargaining table, those reported threats become, in many people’s minds, actual strikes, even though they never happened. It’s one example of how the media distorts the image of unions.

http://www.ufcw.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=49&lang=en

April/May Calendar

May 14 – Election Day

May 20 – Victoria Day

May 21 – STA Executive Committee Meeting

May 22 – STA Annual General Meeting

May 24 & 25 – BCTF Representative Assembly

May 27 – Non-Instructional Day/Pro-D Day

May 28 – STA Executive Committee Meeting

Joke of the Week

Question: What would Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny be called if they were auto mechanics?
Answer: Car-tuners

This week’s joke was submitted by Juniper Ridington, Ecole Simon Cunningham Elementary.  If you have a clean (but not necessarily teacher related) joke, please submit to pres@surreyteachers.org.  If your joke is selected, your name will be entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.  The next draw will take place on May 28th.