Bills 27 and 38 update - our Collective Agreement!

On the morning of Dec ember 3rd, 2009, lawyers for BCTF and Government appeared in BC Supreme Court before Chief Justice Robert J. Bauman for a case management meeting regarding the BCTF Charter Challenge to Bill 27 - Education Services Collective Agreement Act and Bill 28 - Public Education Flexibility and Choice Act - legislation in 2002 that imposed a collective agreement, stripped that agreement of crucial learning and working conditions provisions and severely restricted the scope of bargaining.

The purpose of the appearance was to determine the schedule for exchange of documents, written argument and reply. As well, court dates to actually hear the case were established.

The schedule, as it now stands, is as follows:

· January 29, 2010 - BCTF affidavit evidence to be finalized and submitted.

· February 28, 2010 – Government affidavit evidence to be finalized and submitted.

· March 31, 2010 – BCTF reply to affidavit evidence of Government.

· April 30, 2010 – BCTF written argument submitted.

· May 14, 2010 – Government written argument submitted.

· May 28, 2010 – BCTF reply to written argument of Government.

· June 14 – 18, 2010 – Court dates. (five days currently scheduled).