Bulletin – Bargaining continues, pivotal meeting ahead
The K-12 provincial bargaining committee met this week with their counterparts from the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association for another three days of discussions. Talks continued on a wide range of topics during face-to-face, safely distanced meeting. Agreements were tentatively reached at the table on several non-monetary issues for a new provincial framework agreement. Bargaining […]
Bargaining Update – Ready to bargain: first day Feb. 8
After months of training, research, consultations and discussions, the K-12 sector provincial bargaining committee is confident it’s ready to start negotiations. This week, the K-12 Presidents Council gave its overwhelming endorsement to the bargaining committee’s proposals and priorities for a provincial framework agreement. Guided by the results of the provincial bargaining survey, the top bargaining […]
Bulletin – Guide to WorkSafeBC COVID claims
If you contract COVID from work, or where it is likely you contracted it from work, you should file a claim with WorkSafeBC. This would include when you are sick and unable to get tested, but your symptoms are consistent with COVID. Even with mild symptoms, it possible that long-term or permanent secondary conditions (i.e., […]
Bulletin – Clarification on PHO vaccination disclosure order
The Provincial Health Officer has issued a new order regarding the reporting of vaccination status of K-12 staff. According to the PHO and Ministry of Education, this order enables local Medical Health Officers (MHOs) to direct school boards to obtain the vaccination status of school staff and share that information with the local MHO. Like […]
Bulletin – Rapid Antigen Tests rolling out to K-12 sector this week
Over 200,000 self-administered COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are being sent out this week for immediate use in the K-12 sector. This initial allotment from the provincial government is specifically for use by school and district staff. They are being sent to districts early this week, with each district getting enough for two tests per staff […]
Bulletin – Presidents Council discuss back-to-school issues
The K-12 Presidents Council held a special meeting last week in advance of the full return of students to schools. Presidents compared how their respective districts were implementing updated safety plans to help curb COVID cases in schools in response to the recent surge causes by the Omicron variant. The Council provided feedback on enhanced […]
Bulletin – Guidelines released for January 10 return to school
With students returning to school next week, the Public Health Officer (PHO) and Ministry of Education have released updated protocols in response to the recent surge in COVID cases caused by the virus’ Omicron variant. The protocols are in place for the full return of students on January 10 with the goal of keeping schools […]
Bulletin – Education Assistant Workforce Survey
We’re writing to you on behalf of the Working Group on the Current State of the Education Assistant (EA) Workforce in B.C. (the EA working group). CUPE and the Ministry of Education formed the EA working group in May 2021 to gather information and data to better understand the current state of the EA workforce and […]
CUPE BC welcomes one-week delay to in-classroom education in K-12, urges additional safety measures
BURNABY—CUPE BC welcomes the provincial government’s announcement today of a one-week delay to returning to in-classroom education in B.C. schools and urges the province to implement additional measures to keep students and staff safe, CUPE BC President Karen Ranalletta said today. “With the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases over the holidays, it makes sense to […]
Bulletin – Season’s Greetings and Solidarity
Season’s greetings and solidarity to all our members in the K-12 Sector. We hope you’ll be able to enjoy some well-deserved holiday time safely with family, friends, and your communities. We thank you for your on-going support and solidarity through what has been another often-challenging year. We want to commend all of you for your […]