Mediator to hold exploratory talks

UPDATE — Mediator Vince Ready will re-enter talks between teachers and government with some exploratory discussion, though there’s no guarantee he’ll begin full-fledged mediation.

The news comes after a meeting Wednesday involving BCTF president Jim Iker, BCPSEA negotiator Peter Cameron and Education Minister Peter Fassbender, reports CBC News.

NEWS/ SCHOOLS — Education Minister Peter Fassbender today (Wednesday) asked the B.C. Teachers Federation to “set aside potential grievances” stemming from a B.C. Supreme Court decision on teachers’ bargaining rights to pave the way for a settlement before school starts next Tuesday.

Fassbender released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying he met with BCTF president Jim Iker and B.C. Public School Employers Association chief negotiator Peter Cameron and proposed three steps.

The first, he said was the one on grievances. “The demand on potential grievances is nearly a quarter of a billion dollars a year. This matter is before the courts and will be addressed through the appeals process.

“I’m not asking the BCTF to do anything prejudicial to their court case, but setting this issue aside as the appeals process takes place gives mediation a chance to succeed.”

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Susan Griffin ruled early this year that new legislation on bargaining rights was unconstitutional because it restricted bargaining on class size and composition, and that the government must pay the BCTF $2 million in damages.

Fassbender said setting aside grievances wasn’t a precondition for mediation but would allow negotiations to focus on wages and class size and composition. The second step, he said, was to get into mediation as soon as possible.

“My hope is that it would move the parties into a zone where mediator Vince Ready sees an opportunity to start productive mediation.

“We expect Mr. Ready will explore this development but — as it was agreed to by the parties — it remains up to Mr. Ready to decide when to start full mediation.

“As soon as Mr. Ready indicates mediation should commence, we are ready. In fact, we are ready now.”

Fassbender’s third step is that both sides suspend all strike or lockout activities for two weeks when Ready starts mediation.

“Government has no plan to legislate an end to this dispute and we are not asking either the BCTF or BCPSEA to give up their right to strike or lockout.

“We are just asking them to voluntarily stand down and let classes start while the parties are in mediation.

There was no immediate reaction from either side.