Dear Colleagues, With just one week remaining before the wi…

Like teachers everywhere, we have had to face so many additional challenges this year. Constant handwashing &mask-wearing, pivoting to online learning, upholding health and safety protocols, struggling with tech issues, adapting to different school schedules &the list goes on. 2/

Underlying it all is the constant worry about our students, our children, our partners, our elders, and ourselves. Yet, despite all this, I constantly see #bced teachers’ energy and creativity shining through. 3/

I want to express deep gratitude for all you are doing every day. All of it is evidence of the consummate professionalism and deep commitment of #bced teachers. Thank you! 4/

Of course, we all welcomed Wednesday’s wonderful news about the approval of the Pfizer vaccine, which will begin rolling out to high risk populations in long-term care and health care next week. 5/
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The @bctf & the @CTFFCE are advocating for teachers, as frontline workers to be in the priority order to receive the vaccines. This is critical for those with underlying medical conditions. So, there is light at the end of the #COVID19 tunnel, but it remains a distant spark. 6/

In the meantime, the @bctf and local unions continue to press government and the new Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside to improve the preventative safety measures in our classrooms and to ensure that they are adhered to by every #bced school district in the province. 7/

Our successful application to the Labour Relations Board under Section 88 of the Labour Code has given us an effective tool to resolve #COVID19 problems in our schools. The troubleshooter process can provide quick and effective solutions to the issues teachers are facing. 8/

Several Local Presidents have found that just mentioning that they intend to take an issue to the troubleshooter process has provided impetus for school districts to take positive action on issues, including plexiglass barriers, scheduling changes, mask posters, etc. 9/
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If you have a health & safety concern be sure to contact your school union representative or your school-based health & safety rep, they will first forward your concern to school-based administration for resolution. 10/
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If the issue is unresolved it should be taken to the JOHS committee. If there is no resolve it is then be directed to the local union office. Local Presidents will work with @bctf to either refer the issue to the troubleshooting process or find another avenue for resolution. 11/

We have also taken our advocacy for #bced teachers to the federal level. On Monday, December 7, I had the opportunity to testify before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health as they examined the mental health aspects of the pandemic. 12/

I highlighted the significant mental health challenges teachers have faced throughout the pandemic and drew attention to the inadequate implementation of health and safety measures in BC classrooms. 13/
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In a brief submitted to the committee, we detailed concerns including lack of physical distancing in classrooms, untenable workload, economic instability for teachers required to isolate when they have limited or no sick leave, and chronic systemic underfunding. 14/
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The brief concluded with six recommendations to safeguard teachers’ mental health. You can hear my testimony here https://t.co/6ZE3kTSYSO at12:10:30. /15 #bced

I also encourage you to read our written brief and recommendations. The recs are formulated so they can be enacted by the Federal government. This advocacy is being supported by the @CTFFCE #bced 16/ https://t.co/xXXV2l6ChJ

To conclude, I’d like once again to acknowledge the tremendous work you are doing and to assure you that your Federation is committed 100% to supporting you and advocating for the changes needed to help keep everyone in your schools safe.
In sol,
Teri
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