Teachers to return to bargaining table

UPDATE —  Bargaining will resume today (Tuesday) on a contract for B.C.’s teachers, says Education Minister Peter Fassbender.

He said when negotiations between the B.C. Teachers Federation and the B.C. Public School Employers Association adjourned Sunday night, it was with the expectation that talks would continue Monday.

However, after the two sides traded shots in the media Monday, there was no bargaining. Teachers began a full-scale strike today.

Fassbender announced today during the lunch hour that “BCPSEA reached out to the BCTF and just minutes ago they responded they’d be back to bargaining this afternoon.”

He said the BCPSEA has tabled a “comprehensive proposal” and the BCTF must now “put all their cards on the table.

“While they’ve moved on their wage demands, they have not provided clear answers on what other cost items are still on the table.

“After 18 months, the BCTF is still pushing proposals that literally have blanks in them where there should be dollar figures.”

Fassbender reiterated that the BCPSEA wants to reach a deal by June 30.

No school today, buses run Wednesday

EARLIER STORY — There’s no school today (Tuesday) Tas teachers launch their full-scale strike throughout the province, but buses will be running in the Kamloops-Thompson School District on Wednesday to make sure students can get to their provincial exams.

In a voicemail to parents Monday night, schools superintendent Terry Sullivan said all provincial exams — which have been declared an essential service — will continue as scheduled Wednesday.

One entrance to each secondary school will be picket-free to allow students to write their exams. School buses will be running throughout the exam schedule, following their regular routes, he said.

Sullivan said marks will be provided for all Grade 12 students for all courses in which they’re enrolled. Exam marks and class marks will be uploaded to the Education Ministry so student transcripts for those who are graduating can be provided “in the usual manner.”

But Sullivan said report cards won’t be available for students from kindergarten to Grade 12 “at the present time.”

B.C. Teachers Federation and B.C. Public School Employers Association negotiators were in discussions Monday after a fruitless weekend of bargaining, but there was no indication of face-to-face bargaining.

Classes were cancelled Monday as teachers staged “study sessions” and rallies. BCTF president Jim Iker said teachers dropped their wage demands to eight per cent over five years, plus a $5,000 signing bonus.

The BCPSEA has offered seven per cent over six years and a $1,200 signing bonus.