No deal, teachers’ strike ‘imminent’

UPDATE — Despite what B.C. Teachers Federation president Jim Iker today called “fair, reasonable and balanced” changes to teachers’ demands, the BCTF and B.C. Public School Employers Association have failed to reach a settlement.

The result is an “imminent” full-scale strike Tuesday.

In a live-streamed press conference watched by teachers around the province engaged in a “study session” today (Monday), Iker said the BCTF reduced its term proposal to five years with a salary increase of eight percent plus a larger signing bonus.

That, he said, brought them within one per cent of the government’s proposals.

That “shows a willingness to get a deal, to be reasonable.” He said the BCTF also proposed two new education funds as an interim measure until the B.C. Supreme Court makes a decision on the government’s appeal on class sizes, conditions and specialist teachers.

The teachers presented their revised proposals Friday and the two sides sat at the bargaining table through until Sunday night.

“The government sat on their hands for two days” after the BCTF presented its revised demands. “They brought nothing to the table,” said Iker.

Iker said the government side actually reduced its salary offer from 7.25 to seven percent and proposed a clause that would allow either side to opt out of the contract within 60 days of a judicial decision.

He said the BCTF’s executive committee will meet later today to discuss its options. He added, “The strike is imminent.” While the two sides aren’t in talks today, “we haven’t left the table,” he said.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender said the goal remains to get a settlement by June 30.

“Specifics around proposals will be shared when appropriate, but I can say that BCPSEA tabled a significant, affordable and creative set of proposals to help end the stalemate, get kids back in school and create long-term stability for parents, students and teachers. BCPSEA worked hard to put its best foot forward.

“They tabled a comprehensive settlement that includes an improved wage offer and commits to realistic and flexible solutions to address class composition.”

EARLIER STORY — Teachers all over the province, including Kamloops, are off the job again today (Monday), with a full-scale strike officially set to start on Tuesday.

Despite negotiators for the B.C. Teachers Federation and the B.C. Public School Employers Association bargaining through the weekend, there was no word that there had been any breakthrough. Talks are expected to continue today.

Both sides indicated late last week they were determined to reach a settlement before teachers begin a full-scale strike Tuesday. The BCTF presented a new contract proposal Friday, though it provided no details.

The BCPSEA had offered 7.3 per cent over six years, plus a $1,200 signing bonus if the contract is settled before the end of the month.

Today’s (Monday’s) job action is officially a study session, with teachers not showing up for work but not picketing, either. Instead, they will be gathering to discuss their contract dispute.

Kamloops-Thompson superintendent Terry Sullivan has advised parents that schools will be open even though there won’t be any classes, and personal effects of students may be retrieved during the day.

“I know that the sudden impact of the latest action in this dispute has left parents and students with many questions regarding the issuing or report cards, grade promotion and a number of other matters that normally take place during the final week of school in June,” Sullivan said in a voicemail to parents.

He said district administration would do their best to keep parents and students informed of developments.

“Let us hope that the provincial parties can reach an agreement in the next few days so all students can return to school prior to the official end of this school year.”

The Labour Relations Board last week declared provincial exams an essential service, and Sullivan said administrators would supervise the exams with teachers filling any gaps.