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VSTA Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, May 15th
4:00 at Tupper Auditorium

 Meeting Agenda

  • VSTA Executive Committee Election 2012-13
  • 2011 Financial Report
  • 2012-13 VSTA Budget
  • Constitution & By-Laws - Housekeeping Resolution:  THAT the existing By-Laws of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers' Association be rescinded and be replaced by the By-Laws as set out in the 26th printing of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers' Association (2012).

    A staff social will follow the meeting in the Tupper Staffroom. 
    Please join us for some refreshments, snacks and door prizes!

    Click here for the AGM Meeting package which includes the: Agenda, Minutes from
    2011-12, Financial Reports, Candidate Statements, Annual Reports, and Summary
    of Constitution and By-Law Changes.  See your Staff Rep for printed packages
    available at schools. 

Bill 22 Passed!

Bill 22 is a blueprint for an attack on all workers' collective bargaining rights. It will erode the quality of our public education system and the future of all our children.  It makes a mockery of the BC Supreme Court decision on Bills 27/28.

BCTF Responds to Bill 22
Bill 22 was passed into law on March 16th. In response, and after much debate, the 700 delegates of the 2012 BCTF Annual General Meeting passed an "Action Plan" which teachers will have an opportunity to ratify in April.

Phase 1 of our legal strike is over following the passing of Bill 22 and a vote at the BCTF AGM to terminate this bargaining job action.

73% of teachers vote to adopt resistance strategy on Bill 22
A decisive 73% of teachers have voted in favour of a resistance strategy to oppose Bill 22, the controversial Education Improvement Act.  In a province-wide vote conducted April 17–19, 2012, a total of 21,625 teachers voted yes and 7,846 voted no.  Click here to read more of the BCTF media release. 

Click here for message from Susan Lambert: Teachers affirm support for the Action Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

StiCKET LINE BULLETINS
Sticket Line Bulletins were made available for teachers during the protest in March. 
Monday, March 5, Tuesday, March 6, Wednesday, March 7, Thursday, March 8

The Ride of Silence
On May 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. We will be meeting at 33rd and Ontario, in the grass of Queen Elizabeth park. Meet at 6:45, ride at 7.  https://www.facebook.com/events/344318905635309/

See full size image TEACHERS SPEAKING OUT
It’s time to Shift the Conversation and Get Teachers' Voices Heard
School-based letter writers in Vancouver respond to the consistent onslaught of misinformation and media bias that we face every day. 
Check out some of their thoughts.
Teachers' Council Elections
The elections for the 5 elected members of the 15 member BC Teachers’ Council have been completed. The final results are:  Fraser: Laurence Greeff; Interior: Bruce Cummings; Northern: Avi Gupta; Vancouver Coastal: John Hall; Vancouver Island: Fred Robertson.  The new Teacher’s Council has yet to meet.
Draft Timeline for 2012 Spring
Click here for the Draft Timeline for 2012 Spring Post & Fill Process.  This document should be in schools as well.
TTOC Alert
TTOC Alerts are being prepared during job action to assist in keeping TTOCs informed about bargaining and job action.
Click here for the February 2012 issue.
BCTF Media Campaign
The BCTF has renewed its outreach to the public with a media campaign placed on TV, in print and on-line. To view the ads,
click here.
See full size image VSTA Scholarship Awards
Applications forms for the VSTA Scholarships are now available. Deadline for application is May 7, 2012. Click here for more info and application form.
BC has had the highest child poverty rate in Canada for eight years in a row. It is a truly alarming situation with poverty rates for Aboriginal families and recent immigrants ranging from 36 to 49%. The time for action is now!  Click here for a link to the BCTF media release and for more info.
Vancouver District Labour Council (VDLC) Events
Check out our new
VDLC Events page! You'll find information on the VDLC International Women's Day Dinner with Judy Rebick (March 2) and the 19th Annual Fundraiser for Queen Alexandra Elementary's Breakfast Program (March 23).
Rally in Support of a Fair Deal for Teachers and Students
The VESTA/VSTA Rally on December 5 outside Christy Clark's constituency office was successful, well-attended and loud. Teachers, parents, students, and trustees talked about why the BC Liberals must fund public education and negotiate fairly with teachers. Check out the following videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bctfvids and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWpmZTliGKI
Dear Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Education George Abbott...
A message from the teachers of Vancouver.
Click here for the open letter sent to Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Education, George Abbott, that was published in 24H and Metro on December 5, 2011.
The Teachers' Pension Plan is offering two seminars:
Your Pension, Your Future: aimed toward new and mid-career plan members
Thinking About Retiring: if you are within five years of retirement
Click here to learn more and register.
The Labour Relations Board has dismissed the application by BCPSEA
to compel teachers to do report cards and to fine the BCTF 15% of teacher’s salaries and benefits.  Click for links:
LRB ruling; Message from Susan Lambert, BCTF President; Brief Analysis.
Change from “membership” in the BC College of Teachers to “certification”
is of concern for over 14,000 teachers who had chosen “retired” or “non-practising” membership in the college. The interim registrar has written these members saying that the legislation does not allow for alternate certificate status and this must be corrected by January 6, 2012.  ...
more
Personalized Learning
George Abbott wants your input to the Province’s vision on personalized learning! This is the vision that includes BCPSEA bargaining proposals that would strip our collective agreement of professional autonomy, seniority rights, and require annual teacher evaluations. Go to
http://www.personalizedlearningbc.ca/#/1 and give George your professional opinion on what would be required to make his vision come true!

MyBCTF Portal - Please remember to check the BCTF members-only secure portal for accessing timely bargaining updates, interactive tools (including secure member-only discussion groups), easy registration for conferences, ...more 
 
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Extended Health & Dental Program designed for BCTF TOCs
The BCTF Advantage Program now offers a full Extended Health and Dental program for TOCs. 

CLC Grow the CPP Campaign - a better way to save
The Canadian Labour Congress has developed a comprehensive, financially viable plan to expand the CPP and ensure that Canadians can retire with dignity.  
Preparing for 2011 District Data
Teachers at secondary schools will be invited to provide student information.
.more Click here to read more from Moira Ekdahl, VSTA Rep to VSB Assessment Ctte.
"88 and Out" - Save up to $800 Per Year
BCTF Salary Indemnity Plan regulations provide for a member who has reached age 64, or a total of age plus contributory service of 88, to withdraw from the long term portion of the plan.
...more
BCTF Worklife Study
A major study by the Research Department at the BCTF into teachers’ work has just been published. ...more

Build a Better BC
The Federation is a partner in the community Coalition to Build a Better BC.
Community service groups, cultural and art associations, and unions joining together as one voice to call on the provincial government.  ...more