The BC teachers’ union says staff are determined to solve their contract dispute before the government legislates a deal.
So it plans to ask members across B.C. to vote next week on a full-scale walkout.
Union president Susan Lambert says lawyers plan to go before the Labour Relations Board on Monday to find out how they can legally ramp up job action if government refuses mediation or arbitration.
“Members are pretty frustrated that the minister would rush so hastily to legislation.”
A government fact-finder said this week teachers and their employer aren’t able to agree, so the education minister said he’s laying the groundwork for a legislated agreement.
Education Minister George Abbott was quick to respond, after being informed the B.C. Teachers’ Federation could escalate job action.
“The BCTF have a democratic right to canvas their members with respect to their views on where they go from here. That doesn’t concern me particularly.”
Abbott says if teachers do decide to walk out he won’t just sit idly by.
“We will weigh our options and respond with appropriate remedies that minimize the inconvenience and damage this might do to students and their parents.”
He adds his staff will forge ahead and craft legislation to end the dispute over the weekend and possibly table it in Victoria next week.
Teachers also plan to hold a day of action on Monday with meetings and demonstrations outside of class time.
March 1st marks one year since the teachers and school boards began bargaining.
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