This summer was fruitful for ETEA locals achieving Collective Agreements with significant gains. Local 11, Hanson International Academy, achieved their first Collective Agreement after 4 weeks of job action. Their agreement had significant gains, mainly in the areas of preparation time and bonuses for large classes. Local 2, EC, ratified their 3rd contract. They made gains in many areas and achieved pay raises of 4%, 3% and 3% respectively over the next 3 years.

ETEA will be holding a Teacher’s Social on September 23. All teachers are welcome to this event. There will be some pizza provided for hungry teachers who are willing to come out on Friday afternoon! The social is at Goldies Pizza at 605 W. Pender (basement) 4:30-7:00. See you there.

On Labour Day (September 5th), instructors at Hanson International Academy voted to ratify their first Collective Agreement. It was a hard-fought battle by the teachers, who have been working towards this goal for almost 14 months. Due to their efforts, teachers were able make gains in their working conditions, mostly in the areas of preparation time and a differential pay scale based on class sizes.

ETEA enthusiastically welcomes Vancouver English Centre (VEC) as its newest local. Teachers at VEC organized themselves quickly in response to increasing privacy issues and job security concerns. On December 1, 2014 90% of teachers voted in favour of unionizing. As ETEA President Kevin Drager noted, “With a strong vote in favour of joining the ETEA, teachers at VEC have come together to show they care about their profession and their workplace. VEC can only be better for having such a committed group of teachers. I am proud to welcome them into the ETEA.”