ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE BCTF

These departments are working hard to advance equity and inclusion within the Federation.

Communication and Campaigns Department: Promotes antiracism and decolonization in the Teacher magazine and all other forms of communication.

Research and Information Services: Gather relevant literature and identify key trends related to racism.

Field Services and Legal Services: Support Local Presidents in their duty to represent members. This work may include responding to incidents of racism.

ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND PSAS

The Antiracism Action Group works with members of the Committee for Action on Social Justice (CASJ) to create resources, advocate for policy change, support networks of social justice contacts, and liaise with alliance groups.

The Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee focuses on creating resources and workshops and advocating for policy change related to Aboriginal education, decolonization, and reconciliation.

The Health and Safety Advisory Committee meets with provincial health and safety reps at Zone Meetings and informs the BCTF Executive of current health and safety trends and issues.

The Anti-Oppression Educators Collective focuses on anti-oppression work in both curriculum development and professional growth in order to eradicate systemic barriers and drive the important work of equity, inclusion and diversity.

INCOME SECURITY DEPARTMENT

Health and Wellness: Mike Kimmis Members experiencing mental or physical health issues that may limit their ability to work can access supports to help maintain their teaching assignment or return to work after an extended absence. Starling Minds is a free, online tool designed specifically for teachers and their family members who are dealing with anxiety and depression. It helps you assess, monitor, and improve your mental fitness in the privacy of your home.

Health and Safety: Toni Grewal The BCTF Health and Safety Officer provides support and advice to members, Health and Safety Reps and Local Presidents. Health and safety trainers deliver training to teaching staff and district health and safety committees and provide school union rep training in health and safety.

Salary Indemnity Plan: Sarb Lalli The BCTF operates a plan that provides both short- and long-term benefits to teachers who, due to illness or injury, are disabled from working and have exhausted all of their sick leave. If the illness or injury is work-related, a WCB claim must be initiated.

Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Advocate: Luke Olver The WCB advocate supports members and locals by providing assistance with WCB claims, including representation in appeals, as well as training and workshops in WCB claim matters.

Living with Balance: Contact your Local President This workshop focuses on developing tools and skills to improve vitality and resiliency and equips teachers to make simple lifestyle changes that will positively affect their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING

RACISM IN THE

WORKPLACE?

SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE.

PSI20-0023

WHAT IS RACISM?

Racism is systemic and leads to inequality.

Racism is rooted in the belief that some people are superior to others because they belong to a particular race or ethnic group.

WHAT IS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION?

Racial discrimination occurs when someone treats you badly or denies you a benefit, harasses or insults you because of your race, colour, ancestry, or place of origin.

(Source: BC Human Rights Clinic pamphlet: Human Rights in British Columbia, Racial Discrimination)

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?

Your local collective agreement contains articles that guarantee a workplace safe from harassment.

The BC Human Rights Code ensures the right of all employees to work without discrimination on the basis of race.

District antiracism policies have been developed in several school districts in British Columbia. The most effective ones describe how the employer will respond to acts of racism.

The BCTF Statement of Principles on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion acknowledges the Federation’s commitment to these principals and states that:

1. Discrimination and harassment must not be ignored and must be challenged and rectified.

2. Not all discrimination is deliberate or visible. Inadvertent, hidden, and systemic discrimination must be identified and addressed.

WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR SUPPORT?

For names and contact information of supports in your school and local, visit your local teachers’ union website.

IN MY SCHOOL

Your school-based Union Representative can help put you in touch with your Local President for support in addressing incidents of racism.

If you are more comfortable doing so, consider reaching out to your school-based Social Justice contact, Aboriginal Education contact, or Health and Safety Rep.

As a school district employee, you have access to support from the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP.) Information on how to access free, confidential support is posted in your staffroom, or ask one of your school-based local union reps.

IN MY LOCAL

Local Presidents provide supports in response to incidents of harassment, discrimination, and collective agreement violations. They can also help arrange for additional supports provided by the BC Teachers’ Federation.

Local Social Justice and Aboriginal Education contacts and Antiracism Committee Chairs can organize antiracism workshops and advocate for antiracism and equity policies within your school district and local union. Local Social Justice contacts can also help you apply for Social Justice grants that provide release time for antiracism initiatives.

HOW CAN THE BCTF HELP?

Administrative staff in each of the BCTF departments are available to support members experiencing racism. The email addresses and phone numbers of individual staff members are available on the member portal of the BCTF website or call 1-800-663-9163.

PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES DEPARTMENT (PSID):

Social Justice —Antiracism: Barb Ryeburn Staff can help you access antiracism resources and workshops and provide you with information on how to advocate for an antiracism policy or local equity audit in your district. Staff can also help connect you with other members who identify as people of colour or Aboriginal by adding your name to the Antiracism group listserv and providing information on how to apply to attend the annual BCTF Issue Session on Racism.

Aboriginal Education: Gail Stromquist Staff can direct you to resources and workshops that address racism directed at Aboriginal teachers and students. Supports are also available to advocate for an Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement or Employment Equity policy in your school district.

Internal Mediation Services (IMS): Sherry Payne IMS is provided by a team of volunteer BCTF members who are trained as mediators. They create a safe space to facilitate conversations that help members resolve disputes, conflicts, and workplace situations. Mediators assist members to effectively work through complex issues and to repair damaged professional relationships. The service is voluntary, private and confidential. The process is non-disciplinary, respectful, and kind. Diversity is reflected in the IMS team and mediations can be conducted in French, upon request.