New Brunswick Teachers` B Contract: What you need to know
After a long and contentious negotiation process, the New Brunswick government and the New Brunswick Teachers` Federation (NBTF) have finally come to an agreement on a new contract for teachers in the province. The contract, known as the “B contract,” covers approximately 9,000 teachers in both the anglophone and francophone systems.
Here`s what you need to know about the new contract.
Terms of the contract
The new contract is for a term of three years, from September 1, 2019, to August 31, 2022. It includes a salary increase of 1% in each of the first two years and a 1.5% increase in the final year. There are also some changes to the benefit plan, including an increase in the amount of coverage for some medical and dental expenses.
One of the biggest changes in the new contract is the elimination of the “step” system for salary increases. Under the old system, teachers` salaries would increase by a set amount each year based on their experience and education level. The new system will instead give teachers a 2% increase to their base salary each year for the first 10 years of their career.
The new contract also includes changes to the process for teacher evaluations. Under the old system, teachers would be evaluated by their principal and one other administrator every five years. The new system will instead require teachers to be evaluated every two years by their principal and a team of colleagues.
Reaction to the contract
The reaction to the new contract has been mixed. The NBTF leadership has said that while they are glad to have reached an agreement, they feel that the contract does not go far enough in addressing some of the key issues that teachers face, such as workload and classroom conditions.
Many teachers have expressed frustration with the elimination of the step system, which they feel was a fair and objective way to reward experience and education. Some have also criticized the new evaluation process, saying that it puts too much emphasis on standardized test scores and does not take into account the unique challenges that teachers may face in different classrooms and communities.
Overall, the new contract represents a significant change for teachers in New Brunswick. While there is still some uncertainty and disagreement about the specific terms of the contract, it is clear that it will have a significant impact on the province`s education system for years to come. As a professional, make sure to monitor news about the New Brunswick Teachers` B Contract as it develops.