Public Sour On BC Teachers Dispute

Vancouver, BC - A new Ipsos Reid poll shows little public optimism for a negotiated deal in the dispute between the province's teachers and the provincial government. Most expect the dispute will end through an imposed contract and that the dispute will drag on through the summer into the next school year.

At this point, teachers lead the provincial government in terms of perceptions of being fair and reasonable. However, the public is more likely to disapprove than approve of the actions of both the union and the provincial government.

Expectations for a Resolution

Only one-quarter (26%) of British Columbians believe the current contract dispute is most likely to end through a negotiated settlement. Two-thirds (66%) expect the dispute will end through a contract imposed by government legislation.

British Columbians do not expect a quick resolution to this dispute. Only 12% say they expect the dispute will end `before the end of this school year', while an additional 19% expect it will end `during the summer break'. A majority (59%) expect the dispute will end either `around the start of the next school year' (38%) or `well into the next school year' (21%).

More Fair and Reasonable

BC teachers have the edge in public opinion as to which side in the dispute is being more fair and reasonable. Currently, 39% of British Columbians think BC teachers (represented by BCTF) have been more fair and reasonable in the contract dispute (20% `strongly', 19% `somewhat'). This is 11 percentage points ahead of the 28% who think the provincial government (represented by BCPSEA) has been more fair and reasonable in the contract dispute (13% `strongly', 15% `somewhat').

• There is a gender gap in perceptions of which side is being more fair and reasonable. Women choose BC teachers (43%) by a two-to-one margin over the provincial government (21%). Men are equally split between the two sides (35% each).

The remaining one-third (33%) of British Columbians do not view either side as being more fair and reasonable in these contract negotiations. Nearly one-quarter (23%) say `neither' side has been more fair and reasonable, 1% say `both' sides have been equally fair and reasonable, and 8% are undecided.

The current result is very close to the 38% to 30% edge held by teachers over the provincial government late in the spring 2012 contract dispute (poll taken March 9-12, 2012).

Approval of Dispute Participants

BC teachers in general are the only party that receives more public approval (51%) than disapproval (39%) for their actions during this contract dispute.

All other parties have more public disapproval than approval for their actions during this contract dispute. Overall, parties associated with the BC teachers' side of the dispute do slightly better than those associated with the provincial government's side of the dispute.

Approval of Proposed Dispute Actions

Most British Columbians disapprove of the rotating strikes planned by the union, as well as lockouts planned by the employer.

A majority (56%) of British Columbians say they disapprove of `BC teachers holding rotating strikes that will see all BC schools closed for one day between Monday May 26 and Thursday May 29' (38% `strongly', 18% `somewhat'). Nearly four-in-ten (38%) say they approve of this action (16% `strongly', 23% `somewhat').

There is less support for the idea of lockouts and salary reductions. Fewer than three-in-ten (29%) residents say they approve of `the province (through the BCPSEA) imposing a series of partial lockouts on teachers and reducing teacher salaries by 5-10%' (13% `strongly', 16% `somewhat'). Two-thirds (66%) say they disapprove of this action (51% `strongly', 15% `somewhat').

Views of Teacher Salaries

British Columbians hold split opinions on whether BC's public school teachers are underpaid. Fewer than four-in-ten (37%) believe that teachers are currently `underpaid', while slightly more (41%) believe they are `paid about the right amount' for the work they do. A smaller proportion says teachers are `overpaid' (15%) or have no opinion (7%).

• A view that teachers are currently underpaid is highest among women (41% vs. 32% among men) and younger residents (46% among 18-34 years vs. 31% among 35-54 years, 35% among 55+ years).

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll of 801 adult British Columbians conducted online using Ipsos Reid's national online household panel between May 23 and 26, 2014. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and sex composition reflects that of the actual BC population according to 2011 Census data. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 3.9 percentage points had all British Columbia adults been surveyed. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Kyle Braid
Vice-President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
778-373-5130
kyle.braid@ipsos.com

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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