Teachers will strike in Richmond on Wednesday June 11 , a third day of full strike action in as many weeks as both sides of the labour dispute continue to throw darts at one another without any apparent progress at the negotiation table.
"As BC teachers prepare to vote on escalating job action and a potential full-scale strike, BCTF President Jim Iker has announced rotating strikes will continue next week," stated a news release from the BC Teachers' Federation website on Thursday.
“BC teachers remain committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable deal that provides better support for our students,” said Iker.
“It’s time for Premier Christy Clark to provide the employer with new funding that will help bring the two sides closer together on class size, composition, staffing levels for specialist teachers, and wages,” he added.
Following the news of possible full-strike action Education Minister Peter Fassbender released the following statement on Wednesday:
“While we are disappointed with the BCTF’s plans to escalate to a full walkout, this in no way changes our resolve to get an agreement by the end of June. Our goal remains a lasting, negotiated settlement that ends the disruption for parents, students and teachers and puts the system on a path to stability before the start of the next school year.
“Teachers deserve a raise but the parties are very far apart on wages and benefits. Right now, their total compensation demands are still about four times more than the settlements reached at other tables.
“BCPSEA has a fair wage offer on the table, one that’s in line with recent agreements covering nearly 116,000 public sector workers. The offer also includes a special $1,200 signing bonus if we reach agreement before the end of June,” said Fassbender.
This week, the BCTF lowered its wage demands by one per cent to about 12.75 per cent over four years. The government is offering about 7.3 per cent over six years.
Iker says class composition and size is his top priority.
The B.C. Supreme Court has twice declared that the provincial government illegally stripped away the right of teachers to negotiate class composition and class sizes.
This week the Richmond School District officially cut 10 education assistants and dipped into reserves to pay for shortfalls in funding. The district als has several schools requiring seismic upgrades.
Click on the links below to see how the strikes and lockouts have unfolded in Richmond.
@WestcoastWood
