BC Labor Board recommends that the coordinator facilitate communication between ministry and teachers

In its recommendations, the Labor Relations Board (LRB) says the Ministry of Education’s COVID-19 Steering Committee should take a more prominent role, providing information on evolving guidelines and providing opportunities for relevant stakeholders to provide input.

The steering committee includes teachers, parents, support staff, indigenous rights holders and others.

He recommends appointing a coordinator who will better communicate with school districts on the amended guidelines and review school district plans for consistency. This person will work closely with WorkSafeBC, the Ministry of Health and the health authorities to provide clarity and consistency.

The LRB has also pledged to provide neutral parties by November 16 to resolve issues by implementing health and safety measures efficiently. Their availability will include evenings and weekends if needed.

BCTF president Teri Mooring said the recommendations are in line with what the union was looking for.

“They strengthen the role of the committee, which is really good,” Mooring told CBC On the coast. “Nothing has been written about it. “

Previously, while the union and other groups would have been able to communicate with the committee, there was no mechanism for the committee to communicate on the ground.

Mooring also said that the coordinator role will help with the application.

“There is no one to check the security plans in the district. There is no one to make sure that changes are made … [so] this is a really proactive and positive role that is absolutely necessary that is not in place right now, ”he said.

No broader mask mandate

The LRB did not address all of the BCTF’s concerns, especially the union’s desire for a broader mask policy.

Currently in BC schools, masks are only required for staff and middle and secondary school students in high traffic areas – such as buses and common areas – or whenever they are outside their cohort where physical distance is not can be maintained.

The BCTF supports a stronger mask mandate from the government to add to the protection layers in the classroom, noting that some districts and schools in the province already have full mask policies because staff, a joint health and safety committee or an administrator happens.

Jennifer Heighton, an elementary school teacher in Burnaby, is one of the teachers hoping for a mandatory mandate for the mask.

“My class was wonderful at wearing their masks regularly, but I know there are other classes where it’s harder to get students to wear their masks,” Heighton said.

“I think making it mandatory puts the message out there to everyone in the community that, ‘hey, this is what we’re doing. This is the new normal for the next time.’ … It would do a lot to get the compliance needed to reduce transmission. “