Teachers’ union to rally in Surrey amid contract negotiations

Surrey teachers frustrated with the state of ongoing contract negotiations with the provincial government will make their voices heard Monday, after school.

Members of the Surrey Teachers Association (STA) and CUPE Local 728 will rally outside MLA Garry Begg’s constituency office on 101 Avenue near 152 Street in Guildford at 3:30 p.m.

The unions say the rally aims to highlight overcrowded classrooms, insufficient support, and the challenge of recruiting and retaining qualified educators.

“Surrey students deserve learning conditions that match the promises made about supporting public education. Our members are wearing red to call for real investment that shows up in staffing and supports in our schools,” said STA President Amrit Sanghe.

B.C. teachers have been without a contract since last summer.

Monday’s rally follows the provincewide ‘RedForBCEd’ day of representation on Jan. 5, in which the BC Teachers’ Federation encouraged those who support educators also to wear red.

The federation said its collective bargaining is at a “critical phase” and teachers across B.C. have made their demands clear.

“But the government still hasn’t delivered.”

—With files from Renee Bernard