In 2017, following a takeover of KGIC Inc. by Sprott-Shaw, Sprott Shaw Language College (SSLC) was formed out of a merger of three previous schools: KGIC (King George International College), PGIC (Pacific Gateway International College), and SEC (Study English in Canada). The Labour Relations Board of BC ruled the local 6 collective agreement and certification as the appropriate successor. The employer chose to continue recognizing the union through the takeover process and did not oppose the successorship application. The ETEA chose to merge the seniority lists of the three schools using a ratio-ranked model.
Teachers at KGIC certified as a union and became ETEA Local 6 in November 2010. At that time there was little job security, maintenance was not reliably done, classroom resources were difficult to acquire, and teachers had no voice. Pay inequity between the three campuses (Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria) and between teachers also contributed to an adversarial feeling.
After unionization, repairs and renovations were done and supplies became more accessible. Transparency improved and an effective communication process was established between the union and the employer. In March 2012 teachers ratified their first Collective Agreement, which saw an average 5% pay increase and teachers paid at the same rate regardless of which campus they worked at.
Executive Positions
- Director
- Chief Steward
- Member-At-Large
Bargaining Unit 6 uses the Member-at-Large position to ensure representation of its Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria campuses on its executive.
If all campuses are not represented on the Bargaining Unit 6 Executive Committee, then the affected campus may elect a Member-At-Large at the Annual General Meeting, if needed.