A handful of teachers and some parents and students took their message that public education needs to be valued and supported to the office of Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap on Saturday.
"It's under negotiation and we're all hoping to get it resolved," said Yap at his office.
About 20 teachers and parents, as well as some of their children, had asked to speak to Yap, who was celebrating his ninth anniversary as MLA and serving cake to constituents.
They said Yap spoke briefly to their concerns.
"We're here because John needs to listen to the concerns of his constituents," said Richmond Teachers' Association president Al Klassen.
Parents took issue with the ever-increasing amount of money and volunteer time teachers and parents put into the public system to keep it operating.
"Get our kids back to school. Let's resolve this like adults. ...I volunteer 20 hours a week in our school, fundraising, making up for all the stuff the government is taking away from our school," said parent Brandy Brundige.
Teachers have offered to sign a five-year contract with an eight per cent wage increase over that span and a $5,000 signing bonus.
Last week, the government indicated teachers must lower their demands to within the
same realm of school support workers, who recently struck a deal that included a 5.5 per cent wage increase.
More pressing, says the BC Teachers' Federation, is negotiating class size and composition, an issue that the BC Supreme Court has twice been found to be within the rights of teachers but one that was illegally taken away by the government, pending a second appeal.
BCTF president Jim Iker stated to media this week the union was not willing to suspend its strike actions for summer schools.
