Welcome Back PEA-SMS Members
Dear PEA members,
PEA at SMS
The union began representation at St. Margaret’s School in 2000 when the BC Labour Relations Board certified the PEA to represent 50 teachers. In the years since, support staff have also joined, and today the SMS Chapter includes 106 members. The Professional Employees Association (PEA) has a proud 51-year history, chronicled in Benjamin Isitt’s book Duty with Dignity: 1974–2024 (a copy is available in the Grade 5 classroom).
Chapter Executive Updates
• Farewell to Dr. Mike Keddy, who has taken on the Head of Music role at Brentwood College. Mike was active on our executive and a strong advocate for members rights. We thank him for his contributions and wish him well.
• Welcome to Laurie Adsett, who will be joining the executive this fall after putting her name forward at the AGM. Thank you and welcome, Laurie!
Chapter Executive Representation
At present, our Chapter Executive does not include representatives from Middle Years teachers, Senior Years teachers, or Boarding Parents. We strongly encourage members from these areas to consider running for an executive role. Your involvement helps strengthen our chapter and ensures all voices are heard.
For more information, please connect with Rhiannon, Bev, Cory, or Laurie.
SMS AGM – Coming This November
Format: Hybrid (in person + Zoom)
Details: Pizza for in-person attendees, Red Barn sandwiches for Zoom participants, door prizes for all.
Quorum: Required for voting.
This is an important meeting to hear updates, review financials, and prepare for bargaining. Last year’s turnout was small. Let’s show stronger support this year! More details to follow.
Pay & Agreement Reminders (as of July 1, 2025)
Please review your paycheques against these key items:
• Support Staff Salary Grid: 2% + 0.4% CPI increase; step increments on anniversary dates.
• Tutorial Salary Grid: 2% + 0.4% CPI increase; grid movement based on approved experience (adjusted Sept 1 or Jan 1).
• Seniority Lists: Issued April 1 and October 1 (current list is as of Dec 2023). The anniversary day for an employee shall be the date that regular employment commenced.
Support Staff: Regular support staff will increment on their anniversary date based on years of service.
Faculty: Each faculty member’s teaching experience shall be adjusted on September 1 or January 1 following the month in which applicable experience is achieved.
• Article 10.04 (d) Expected Activities – All teachers will participate in expected activities as defined below: All School Performance in December, Recognition Ceremonies and Graduation, Meet the Teacher Night, Open House (two per school year), Parent-Teacher Interviews, Student-Led Conferences.
• Article 10.04 (iii) – Curricular and preparation time is time that tutorial staff members are available to the school. Please keep a record of any additional meetings that you are expected to attend as this will be brought forward in discussions with the school.
• Article 13.01 Health Benefits – It is the responsibility of the employee to become familiar with details of coverage and requirements of eligibility of the benefit plans. If you have any questions, please reach out to the union. HR can also provide employees with a written outline of current benefit provisions. It is important to check your Health Spending Account (information found in Benefits package, 500/yr, transferable to one future year to a maximum of $1000). This can be used to offset eligible expenses.
• Article 13.07 – Pension Plan Participation and Contributions (Regular) – All eligible regular staff must participate in the Combination Pension Plan. Info: ia.ca.
• Article 16.01 Sick Leave – Regular full-time employees earn 1.5 days per month. New staff are advanced five days in their first year. Sick leave balances reset July 1—if you carry 24 days, your stub should show 120 hours.
Please refer to the collective agreement SMS Collective Agreement: March 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026 for the full text.
The 2024 PEA member survey indicated that 93.8% of members reported satisfaction with the collective agreement. Due to strong member support during the last round of collective bargaining, members secured a 17.5% wage increase over three years.
Bargaining Preparation
The current collective agreement expires on June 30, 2026, and negotiations will begin this spring. To ensure all areas of the school are represented, we aim to have a diverse bargaining committee. Elections for the committee will take place at the upcoming Chapter AGM. If you are interested in being part of this round of bargaining, we encourage you to put your name forward.
In solidarity,
Your Executive Committee
Laurie Adsett, Cory Steadman, and Bev Waterfield
