As the school year came to an end this week, some of Richmonds educational assistants and non-teaching staff ramped up their contract bargaining efforts with a one-day, information picket.
Armed with placards and leaflets, a relatively small group representing CUPE Local 716 paced up and down the sidewalks outside the Richmond School District offices Tuesday to bring attention to a stall in talks with the government.
About a dozen members belonging to the unions strike committee took part, while others were asked to either join the job action before or after work. The action was specifically designed not to disrupt classes.
June Kaiser, president of Local 716, said the inaction at the bargaining table was a big concern and Mondays job action could be a sign of things to come when classes start up again in September.
Kaiser said CUPE is looking to broker a two-year deal with their employer and is pushing for a raise that would be in line with inflation and what other public service unions have received.
We didnt even get to that point in negotiations because we were told there was no money on the table, Kaiser said.
Visiting the picketers was Richmond school trustee Eric Yung who said the districts hands are tied since they only receive funding from the government.
The government has a source of funds thats discretionary. We dont, he said.
Virtually everything we are given about 93 per cent goes towards salaries in the school district.
So, we dont retain anything. Our job is to maintain the school district to our best ability for our learners.
And that includes putting the support staff, as well as the teaching staff, up in front of students.
Yung added he is hopeful the government will provide some additional money to fund an increase for staff who are every bit as vital to the education system as teachers.
Its a status he feels has not been taken into consideration adequately.
I think that its time we address CUPE in much the way the government wants to address the teachers, Yung said.
The government has asked for 10 years of labour-free peace with the BCTF.
And I think its only fair to remember theres two unions in the school process. And one cant work without the other.
