Teachers vote 86% for full-scale strike

NEWS/ SCHOOLS — B.C. teachers have voted 86 per cent in favour of escalating job action that could include a full-scale strike as early as Monday, June 16.

B.C. Teachers Federation president Jim Iker announced the results at a live-streamed press conference late Tuesday night. Teachers voted Monday and Tuesday on whether to ramp up their current rotating strikes into a full walkout in support of bargaining a new contract with the B.C. Public School Employers Association.

Of the more than 40,000 BCTF members who were eligible to vote, 33,387 cast ballots, a record turnout for such a vote. Of those who voted, 28,809 favoured a full strike if it’s needed.

More than 15,000 people connected to the live-stream video in an attempt to hear the results live.

“With this vote, B.C. teachers have sent a very strong message to Christy Clark and her government; it’s time to negotiate in good faith, put new funding on the table, and reach a fair deal with teachers that also provides better support for students,” said Iker said.

“It’s time for the B.C. Liberals to reinvest in public education and at least bring B.C. up to the national average in funding.”

The BCTF’s website crashed due to heavy traffic, a common occurrence during key events in the protracted bargaining.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender said the vote results “were not unexpected” but he said they shouldn’t be interpreted as “any kind of enthusiasm” on the part of teachers to shut down schools.

“I know teachers would prefer to be in their classrooms and I know that students and parents would rather finish this school year on a positive note. It is now up to the BCTF leadership to decide if they are going to move to a full walkout.”

Fassbender said BCTF leadership needs to bring realistic expectations to the bargaining table.”

“BCPSEA has a fair wage offer on the table, one that’s in line with recent agreements covering nearly 150,000 public sector workers – including 34,000 school support workers. The offer also includes a special $1,200 signing bonus if we reach agreement before June 30.

“My message to the BCTF is: let’s stay at the table and get to an agreement by June 30, so we can head into the summer with the assurance that our education system is on a path to long-term stability and focussed on student outcomes.”

The BCTF must issue 72-hour notice before escalating to a full strike. Kamloops-Thompson teachers are scheduled to go out on their third rotating strike Friday.