Labour Relations Board’s troubleshooters helpful for teachers with COVID-19 concerns

Joanne Hapke, President of the Prince George District Teachers’ Association says “there is definitely still an awareness of COVID is still out there in our communities.”

Anita Richardson, Superintendent at School District No. 57 says, “there’s been some elevated concerns for some teachers, just like we see across our community. Some people have more elevated concerns and anxieties related to COVID-19.”

One key part of the reopening strategy for B.C. schools was to introduce cohort groups, to reduce the number of people a student would be in contact with. Students and staff are not not required to wear a mask, however.

Another issue that came up for schools was during the provincial election, where schools would serve as polling stations.

The B.C. Labour Relations Board’s decision also recommends that the Province consults with a committee made up of teachers, parents, support staff, and Indigenous stakeholders before making any changes.

Hapke says, “better communication is always what we are asking for, no matter what we’re dealing with, but definitely with COVID. So, having somebody who sits on the steering committee, and then that person is the one that reports out to all stakeholders, that is a great start for better communication.”

Richardson says, “I think the LRB was really wise to recognize we have a lot of means to solve complex problems already set up, and that there are additional concerns raised because of COVID that can kind of bog down things like our health and safety committees, and Work Safe BC.”

Richardson also says that having troubleshooters available should be helpful, and should encourage collaborative conversations to continue to happen.

by Vincent Papequash

Labour Relations Board’s troubleshooters helpful for teachers with COVID-19 concerns

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