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He believes the proposal, which would increase class sizes in dense areas like Vancouver, would disproportionately affect teacher workloads in urban areas.

“It would be a one size-fits-all to the entire province that’s worse than what currently exists,” he said. “This is going to take us backwards.”

Chloë McKnight, president of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers’ Association, says many of her organizations members campaigned for the NDP because they hoped they would get better treatment at the bargaining table.

Now, she’s worried her workload might actually grow.

“We hear from teachers all the time who are just feeling really frustrated with the lack of support or feeling burnt out,” said McKnight. “And that would just get worse.”

The employers association have defended their proposal, noting it includes $400 million more in funding than the previous government’s deal to go toward class sizes, class composition and non-enrolling teachers, like teacher librarians.

Finance minister Carole James said Tuesday that the employers’ proposals are “changes” and not concessions.

“The BCTF views any change for one local or one district as a concession,” said Alan Chell, chairman of the Revelstoke Board of Education.

“We’re very open to talk about the best way of spending money, but every government in the world has mandates and budgets … this government is very friendly towards public education.” he said.