No surprises here.
B.C. public school teachers want a raise. And while some may label their bargaining proposal a hefty one and others may call it modest - it really doesn't matter because it's a nonstarter.
Do teachers honestly believe that the government will hand out pay increase totalling more than 15 per cent over three years? And, yes, we realize that the first numbers thrown out at a bargaining table are just to get the ball rolling - but, in the arena of public opinion, this proposal will gain them few allies. This will only increase the perception that teachers are out of touch with the current financial reality most parents face.
Parents are already getting impatient with the lack of report cards and stymied fundraising projects. While we believe most parents want to support teachers, hefty wage demands will further erode that support.
Teachers in B.C. may not be paid as much as teachers in Ontario, but fortunately or unfortunately, supply and demand still impacts wages, and there is a glut of teachers in B.C.
In addition, two-thirds of B.C. public employees, including CUPE school support staff, have signed contracts agreeing to zero wage increases. The government cannot boost teachers' wages without triggering raises for other employees.
Frankly, teachers would be better advised to turn up the heat on abandoned discussions on class size and composition. The government broke off talks on those issues at the end of November and has managed to virtually escape responsibility for its actions.
Class size is an issue that impacts all students, and no matter how much you pay a teacher, one teacher cannot properly teach overflowing classes.
