The chair of the Vancouver School Board claims district staff have faced bullying and threats after a controversial wage cut to some bus drivers, prompting them to contact Vancouver police. “No one wants to go to work and feel unsafe and I think that that’s what’s happening right now,” said Victoria Jung. When CTV News asked her to describe the nature of the threats, she would not answer but did say that specific people had been targeted after small posters were installed near schools identifying senior staff by name and claiming eye-popping raises in addition to six-figure salaries. Jung insists those numbers are inaccurate. “We, of course, rely on our partners and the support of the Vancouver Police Department,” she said when asked about the purported criminal investigation. “It is a serious matter, and the wellbeing of our staff are extremely important to us as a board and as a district. So, we will be participating and assisting in any way possible.” No investigation underway: VPD When CTV News asked for details from Vancouver police, a spokesperson said they know of some posters with personal staff information – and even photos – but are unaware of any threats and are not conducting an investigation. “The posters were removed by VSB staff and we have opened a file, at their request, to document the information that was provided to us,” wrote Sgt. Steve Addison in an email. A former chair of the VSB sees this as the latest sign of turbulent times at the board overseeing the operation and budgeting of Vancouver schools and certain extracurricular programs. “It does sound like the relationships between the parent group and the board have really broken down,” said Patti Bacchus, who continues to closely monitor developments with the VSB. “Parents and the public are no longer able to attend in person standing committee meetings, which is really where the guts of decision making takes place…They can watch online, but they can’t be in the room.” Union denies involvement in posters The latest clash stems from a decision to revoke the Vancouver School District’s status as a living wage employer, which means staff contracted from outside companies for various functions will no longer receive a top-up to their employer-paid wage. In this case, the bus drivers and attendants for special needs students will effectively see a 25 per cent wage cut. Attendants will return to standard hourly rates of $20 per hour with bus drivers dropping to $23 per hour, according to Living Wage BC. The Union of Operating Engineers Local 963 says they’re not behind the posters, some of which read “Vancouver School Board management raises – but bus drivers’ salaries got cut!” but they have observed that management ranks have grown at a time of budgetary constraints. “It’s really sad that you see the people who are on the lowest end of the wage scale being punished and people at the highest end being rewarded with really huge wages and wage increases,” said spokesperson Bill Tieleman. The wage reductions come into effect after the end of the school year in June.
