More than 650 teachers from across British Columbia are in Vancouver to vote on their leadership and priorities during the BC Teachers’ Federations’ 108th Annual General Meeting.

The AGM is the largest of three governance bodies that make decisions and guide the union’s direction on behalf of BC’s 50,000 teachers.
This year’s AGM comes as the Federation prepares for bargaining and a provincial election amidst an acute teacher shortage.

President Clint Johnston says some key issues, like workload, haven’t gone away since the last round of bargaining, and he says the global teacher shortage is threatening to make it worse.

The Province has acknowledged there is a teacher shortage and Johston told members on Saturday that it’s time for political leaders to take the matter seriously, focusing on a strategy that tackles not only recruitment but retention.

The AGM, which started Saturday, runs through tomorrow. Delegates were voting on issues ranging from education policy and finance to the health, welfare, and safety of teachers.

They will also elect their Executive Committee for the next year.

For more information, visit BC Teachers Federation.