A tentative deal has been struck between the BC Teachers’ Federation and the BC Public School Employers’ Association, but when Richmond students will be back in classrooms — if teachers ratify the deal — is yet to be determined.
On Tuesday morning, Monica Pamer, superintendent of the Richmond School District, said teachers will still need to prepare classrooms and student timetables.
“It would be premature to say we’re going back on ‘X’ day. Indications would be next week some time,” said Pamer.
She noted more than 700 international students have stayed in Richmond during the strike, doing many of the orientation activities they would have done throughout the year.
Al Klassen, president of the Richmond Teachers’ Association, said that even if 51 per cent of teachers province-wide ratify the agreement Thursday, it will still take time to become fully operational.
“There’s a lot of work both organizationally from a district perspective, administration perspective and teacher perspective.”
When asked about lost class time, Klassen said the three weeks are likely not going to affect the school calendar based on the 2005 two-week long strike that did not lead to amendments for additional class time.
“I would guess we’re pretty close to where things can be shifted around in terms of making the school year work,” he said.
Early reports Tuesday indicated the teachers were given a 7.25 per cent pay raise over a new, six-year term. The government will give the BCTF a one-time $100 million grievance settlement for breaking the 2002 contract.
Also, the BCTF will be given $85 million per year to hire new teachers and assistants to deal with additional classroom size and composition needs.
“If this isn’t a reasonable deal for teachers we’ll be back into the same tough bargaining in six years,” said Klassen.
Meanwhile, about 25 students at Palmer Secondary school staged a rally for teachers Tuesday morning. Grade 12 student Laura Chen said given the loss in class time, she fears extracurricular activities will suffer.
“It will be difficult to catch up, but as long as we get support, I think we will get by,” added Chen.
Palmer teachers said if the deal wasn’t acceptable, they wouldn’t vote for it. The BCTF has recommended teachers accept the deal.
