Three days of strike action could be just the tip of the iceberg in the ongoing teachers dispute.
British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) president Susan Lambert says the union could head back to court if Bill 22 is passed and a new contract is imposed on teachers.
“Once this legislation is through and we know there is no more on the way, we will certainly be going before the court,” said Lambert.
The union won a ruling last year after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found the government had breached the BCTF’s collective-bargaining rights by taking issues such as class size and composition off the table in 2001.
Lambert claims Bill 22 — which would extend the teachers’ current contract and impose a government-selected mediator — also breaches bargaining rights.
“The government will lose again; it’ll be a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars,” she said.
Education Minister George Abbott has told media he believes Bill 22, which could be passed this week, will hold up in court.
Meanwhile, teachers will take part in a three-day strike this week before moving on to once-a-week job action afterwards.
Lambert hopes public support will show the government teachers deserve “a fair and reasonable” deal and that the public expects “high-quality education” in B.C.
No picket lines will be in place, so schools will still technically be open for parents who can’t find child care or make other arrangements.
Only administrators and non-teaching staff will be working, however.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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