Glimmer of hope as mediator Vince Ready enters teachers’ talks

NEWS/ SCHOOLS — At last, the B.C. Teachers Federation and the B.C. Public School Employers Association have gotten what they both wished for — the involvement of mediator Vince Ready in their contract dispute.

The two sides announced today (Thursday) they met separately with Ready Wednesday and that Ready agreed to “monitor the situation” and resume exploratory talks or full mediation when he thinks it will be productive.

The BCTF and BCPSEA issued this statement:

Joint statement on bargaining between the BCTF and BCPSEA

Early in the summer, the parties met for exploratory discussions with Mr. Justice Stephen Kelleher. BC Teachers’ Federation President Jim Iker and Peter Cameron, BCPSEA chief negotiator, want to express their appreciation to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of BC for making Justice Kelleher available to assist the parties. They also want to express their appreciation to Justice Kelleher for his assistance, particularly given his demanding schedule.

Over the summer, discussions continued between Jim Iker and Peter Cameron, leading up to last Friday’s face-to-face session of the two bargaining teams.

Following that session, at the request of the parties, Vince Ready indicated his availability this week and later in August. The parties then asked Mr. Ready to engage with them in exploratory talks. Following telephone contact with the parties last weekend, Mr. Ready met separately with the parties on August 13. Mr. Ready agreed to monitor the situation, and to resume exploratory talks or commence full mediation when he believes it will be productive.

The parties agreed that they will not engage in public discussion pending further discussions with Mr. Ready.