The union representing B.C. academics is asking the Labour Relations Board to step in and pressure the province to handle academics’ considerations about working circumstances through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The B.C. Academics’ Federation (BCTF) filed an utility Thursday underneath part 88 of the Labour Relations Code, which the union describes as a “hardly ever used provision” of the legislation.
“The employer is making the most of your professionalism, the excessive expectations you placed on yourselves and your caring for college students,” BCTF president Teri Mooring wrote in a message to academics Thursday night.
“I do know a lot of you are feeling unsafe and the federal government is failing to make sure college districts are doing the whole lot they’ll to make sure you and your college students are as secure as you may be.”
Part 88 of the code permits the board to take motion to settle variations between employers and staff after they come up through the time period of a collective settlement.
Within the utility to the Labour Relations Board, the BCTF requires the board to “help the events on an expedited foundation to resolve these pressing considerations and forestall labour unrest.”
Academics started returning to the classroom to renew in-person courses final week following well being and security pointers set out by the B.C. authorities, with the specifics outlined by native college districts.
The academics’ utility says BCTF representatives “have heard from many members who’ve important considerations in regards to the inconsistent and insufficient implementation of presidency mandated well being and security measures which don’t meet the protections promised within the spring and summer time.”
The applying goes on to say that “academics report that they’re feeling pressured to work in unsafe circumstances and are demanding important modifications to make sure they and their college students are protected.”
CBC has reached out to the Training Ministry for remark.
