School District #83 trustees rejected a proposed wage increase of 1.7 per cent for the coming year, acknowledging the tough bargaining stance being taken by the province when it comes to contract negotiations with B.C. teachers.
In September of 2008, the board passed a motion that annual increases to trustee remuneration would be linked to the consumer price index. Trustees, however, immediately rejected this year’s proposed raise, calling for no increase — which is consistent with government expectations of a net zero policy for employee groups.
“This is only appropriate considering it isn’t looking like anyone else will be getting an increase,” said trustee Bob Fowler.
It was noted that among school boards, the North Okangan-Shuswap board is among the lowest paid.
Other trustees suggested that without regular increases in remuneration, becoming a trustee could become financially out of reach for some people. Despite this, the board voted unanimously to refuse the wage increase.