March 28, 2024

Court rules on mediator in teachers’ dispute

It may well be a moot point now, but the BC Supreme Court has rejected a bid by the BC Teachers' Federation to fire mediator Charles Jago. This just days after Jago worked out a surprise contract agreement between the union and the government. The teachers' federation had argued Jago was not qualified for mediation and was too closely tied to the … [Read more...]

Teachers union confused after government appointed mediator cancels meetings

With just one week to go before his own self imposed deadline, government appointed mediator Charles Jago has cancelled meeting's with the teachers union.    That according to BCTF president Susan Lambert who says she is surprised and disappointed when Jago called off two recent mediation meetings.    "We are not back with … [Read more...]

Mediator named to BCGEU dispute

Stalled contract talks for thousands of government workers in this province will resume Wednesday. A mediator has been appointed by the Labour Relations Board. Debbie Cameron will oversee negiotiations between the province and BC Government and Service Employees Union,  which represents 25-thousand employees who voted 82 per cent in favour of … [Read more...]

Teachers’ hearing to remove mediator wraps up

The BC Teachers Federation is now waiting for a decision after its two-day court effort to fire government-appointed mediator Dr. Charles Jago has wrapped up. President Susan Lambert says she isn't sure when the judge will decide the matter.  "I am not sure how long this will take. Of course, we are asking for a quick decision because we are … [Read more...]

BCGEU wants mediator named in contract dispute

Still more labour trouble for the provincial government. The BCGEU is asking the Labour Relations Board to appoint a mediator to assist in contract talks, which have been underway since January. Union president Darryl Walker says the two sides are still too far apart on the key issues of wage hikes, job security and improved benefits. The union … [Read more...]

Union lawyers argue to remove mediator in teachers’ labour dispute

Lawyers for the teachers’ union are in B.C. Supreme Court today, trying to remove Charles Jago as mediator in their labour dispute. They argue Jago is not only unqualified to mediate as appointed by the government, but he is also biased. The union's lawyers are running down the tenuous history between the two sides. Aside from asking the … [Read more...]

The LRB turns down a BCTF request to remove government appointed mediator.

The Labour Relations Board has rejected a BC Teachers Federation request for the LRB to rule on whether or not to fire a government appointed mediator.  However teachers union vice president Glen Hansman says the fight isn't over yet as the union still feels Doctor Charles Jago is biased.   He said "Well the only thing that the Labour … [Read more...]

Education Minister George Abbott is going to bat for his pick for mediator, again.

Another day, and Education Minister George Abbott is standing by his mediator, Charles Jago.  The BCTF is determined to have  Jago fired, and is working to figure out whether this will be argued before the labour board, or the courts.  Abbott says this isn't about ramming legislation through "........why on earth would we go to all … [Read more...]

BCTF unsure of what comes next in attempt to fire mediator

  The BC Teachers' Federation is now trying to figure out what the next step is as it tries to have Charles Jago removed as mediator. President SusanLambert says the province's attorney general has suddenly waded into their effort to have the Labour Relations Board remove Jago. At issue is whether this will be settled by the L-R-B, or in … [Read more...]

BC’s Education Minister clarifies mediator Charles Jago’s access to, and role in, Bill 22.

BC's Education Minister says the government appointed mediator in the teachers contract dispute did indeed get a sneek peek at Bill 22 but not in the way the BCTF is suggesting.  In a statement Education Minister George Abbott says he did meet with Charles Jago before tabling Bill 22.  Abbott adds it was after identifying Jago as a … [Read more...]