The BCPVPA Member Support Services team
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provides prompt daily interactions with members on challenging circumstances from the field
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liaises with senior management of school districts in collaborative problem-solving initiatives
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recommends strategic approaches around local contract negotiations
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delivers educational workshops in the contract and legal domain
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provides responsive advocacy services related to Member benefit inquiries, the sick leave process and long-term disability/WorkSafeBC application, claim challenges and work return
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directs members to resources to support their health and well-being
Member support is also provided for those who experience complaints or investigations, including those external to a school district.
Don Boyd
604.877.5393 |
Director of Member Support Services |
Magdalena Kassis
604.877.5383 |
Director of Member Support Services |
Ellen Roberts
604.877.5395 |
Director of Member Support Services |
Rochelle Morandini
604.877.5312 |
Long Term Disability (LTD) Claim Support |
Contracts
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Co-ordinate CAC (Contract Advisory Committee) with provincial representation to facilitate communication of trends, strategies and education related to contract negotiations
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Review and provide recommendations for P/VP district negotiation teams with respect to their contracts. Support development of strong local economic & welfare teams
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Develop materials for education in the ‘contract’ domain and provide workshops for local associations specific to facilitating an understanding of their contracts
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Provide strategies for approaching negotiations and teach skill sets to enhance chances of success
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Maintain data-‐base and awareness of salary and benefit trends provincially.
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Research and provide analytics to facilitate comparative analysis and development of subsequent strategic approaches with respect to negotiations
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Liaise with BCPSEA on matters related to total compensation structures of members
BC Student Voice
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Support BC Student Voice
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Liaise with MoE and other stakeholder groups to facilitate student participation and contributions to a variety of programs
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Develop student leadership skill sets and support distributed student education on matters deemed to be of importance to student with respect to their education via the semi-‐annual seminars
Pension
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Coordinate and provide representation to TPPAC (Teacher’s Pension Plan Advisory Committee) which is sponsored by the BCTF and includes Superintendent & P/VP members
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Provide guidance around the workings of the TPP for our members (but not advice related to any aspects of monetary decision making)
Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Workers’ Compensation (WorkSafe BC)
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Sponsor and monitor a Provincial Long Term Disability Plan for our members and excluded staff
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Liaise with Morneau Shepell in management of the LTD Plan and make appropriate adjustments
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Review semi-‐annually all individuals who are currently on the Plan
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Support Plan members with information and liaise with DesJardins (carriers of the LTD Plan) or WorkSafeBC
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Provide direct support to members regarding the process and information requirements from sick leave or short term disability through to long term disability; or for WorkSafeBC
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Advocate for members when benefits are inappropriately suspended or terminated
Legal Matters
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Provide clarification to members on interpretation of their contract, the School Act, various other Acts and statutes
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Determine need to engage our lawyers and then work with them in providing support to members
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Maintain understanding and knowledge of trends and precedents that impact education and educational leaders within their roles
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Maintain documentation on all legal matters
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Facilitate member education via presentations, including Short Course
Contract Advisory Committee (CAC)
The Contract Advisory Committee both advises the Board of Directors and serves as a network to inform and Chapter leaders in contractual matters. An annual Contract Seminar is held to build knowledge and capacity for Chapter leaders who negotiate on behalf of the membership. Our professional staff deliver workshops in Chapters and present at the annual Short Course. Staff present workshops to bolster members’ skills in areas of contract and legal issues.
Workshops include:
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Negotiating Skills & Strategies: The major elements of a successful negotiation in one’s day-to-day dealings with the school and community, based on Harvard’s Getting to Yes model.
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Legal Issues: Charter of Rights issues, School Act, searches, field trips, harassment as well as current issues in the district.
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Contracts: Become more familiar with personal services contracts. This can be general or Chapter specific.