FAQs
What is the role of the STA?
The Surrey Teachers’ Association/BCTF is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for: Teachers, School Psychologists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Teachers-On-Call, Adult Educators, Summer School Teachers, District Behavior Specials and District Social Workers.
What organizationations are the STA/BCTF Affiliated with?
What are the STA/BCTF's primary responsibilities?
- Negotiate and enforce the contract.
- Represent the membership in all matters related to work.
- Answer job-related questions and assist in any job-related matter.
- Promote public education.
- Promote the growth of our profession.
- Work politically to elect pro-public education, pro-union candidates.
- Work with the community to ensure our schools are as good as they can be.
How do I get in contact with the STA?
Visit the STA office at #201-9030 King George Boulevard, Surrey, BC
Business Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Call (604) 594-5353
What else does the STA do?
- We give out scholarships to Surrey students & dependents of STA members.
- We host a variety of social get-togethers, at the beginning, middle, and end of year including a conference for new teachers and a celebration dinner for retiring teachers.
- We host a Dinner Speaker Series throughout the school year.
- We support social justice initiatives such as the BC Federation of Labour – Whalley Christmas Dinner, an International Solidarity project in Honduras, Protein for People, the Surrey Food Bank and an Annual Girls Conference.
How else does the union communicate with its members?
- Weekly STA Connection
- The Advocate Newsletter
What is the leadership structure of the STA?
- The Surrey Teachers’ Association has eight full-time table officers:
- President
- 1st Vice-President
- 2nd Vice-President
- Grievance Officer (2-year term)
- Grievance Officer (2-year term)
- Health & Safety Officer (2-year term)
- Professional Development Officer
- Professional Support Services Officer
Our Executive Committee has 18 members including the seven full-time table officers and:
- 6 Local Representatives to the BCTF
- 5 Members-at-Large
- 1 Secretary/Treasurer
- 1 Teacher Teaching-on-Call Representative
How can I get involved with the union?
Perhaps you can start by attending a membership meeting (see below), or joining a committee. Some members write articles for The Advocate, or become staff representatives. We are always interested in involving new activists. Please feel free to stop by or call one of us and we can discuss your interests.
When does the STA meet?
The regular STA Rep Assembly meetings/General Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of every month at 4:00 PM. Meetings generally last for 2 hours. Childcare is provided. Please check the calendar to confirm the date and location of these meetings.
I have a question about the contract, my rights or the like. Who do I call?
Before you call, ask your staff representative. He or she represents the union in your school and has generally had experience in many of the matters that affect each of us. If you still need help, there are eight of us you can call.
If you have a question about Health & Safety, job shares, or recall contact the Health & Safety Grievance Officer, Manjit Dulla at hs@surreyteachers.org.
If you have a question about accommodations, contact the Accommodations Officer, Dana Neidig at accommodations@surreyteachers.org.
If you have a question about professional development, contact the Professional Development Officer, Erin Coleman at pd@surreyteachers.org.
If you have a question about the mentorship program, or peer support contact the Professional Support Services Officer, Pauline Veto at services@surreyteachers.org.
Questions about outstanding grievances, contract questions or interpretation should be directed to the Grievance Officers, Amrit Sanghe at grieve1@surreyteachers.org and/or Kelli O’Malley at grieve2@surreyteachers.org.
If you have questions about pensions, TTOC issues, mediation or political actions contact the First Vice President, Lizanne Foster at 1vp@surreyteachers.org.
If you have questions about being a staff representative, being an AGM delegate or upgrading a TQS category, contact the Second Vice President, Angela Marcakis at 2vp@surreyteachers.org.
If you have any other questions, please contact the President, Jatinder Bir at pres@surreyteachers.org.
Although each of us has individual responsibilities, we all routinely pinch hit for each other and are reasonably familiar with all aspects of the union’s work. In other words, if you need an immediate answer, we ought to be to help you right away even if the appropriate person is not in the office at that time. In any case, leave a message or email one of us and you will get a quick return call.