Horgan won’t comment on possibility of giving BC teachers a raise

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Premier John Horgan is staying mum on whether the province is considering giving teachers raises, saying negotiations won’t happen until all the players come to the bargaining table.

The BC Teachers’ Federation says the raises, especially for starting teachers, are needed to help spur recruitment.

The union will be heading into negotiations with the province in about 10 months and Horgan says that’s the only place salaries will be discussed.

“Bargaining is bargaining. And I’m not going to start today,” he said.

Horgan made a speech at the BCTF’s annual general meeting yesterday. He talked up the importance of teachers’ roles, but didn’t delve into the issues of wages.

However, he did promise a new way of calculating funding, saying it will not be a “one-size-fits-all solution” and an investment of $1.2-billion in the K-12 system between now and 2021.

Earlier this month, Education Minister Rob Fleming said the province had filled 95 per cent of the vacant teaching positions, but more specialty teachers are needed for French and special needs.

 

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