Public school students in British Columbia won't return to class next week, unless the B.C. Teachers' Federation and the government can avert a full-scale strike by reaching a contract agreement by the end of the weekend.
The B.C. Teachers' Federation told its members in a letter on Wednesday night that it will serve notice on Thursday morning of a full-scale strike beginning next Tuesday, one day after 86 per cent voted in favour of escalating job action.
President Jim Iker is expected to publicly announce the strike at a news conference today at around 7:45 a.m. PT at the BCTF headquarters in Vancouver, which CBC News will broadcast live online.
In the letter, the union confirmed it will also designate Monday as a study session day throughout the province, meaning teachers would spend the day meeting with union representatives — making this Friday the last day of the school year.
For schools where ongoing, rotating strike action is taking place this Friday, the last day of school would be today (Thursday).
Despite the pending strike action, Iker said negotiations will continue with the government over the weekend in an attempt to reach a deal.
"We believe that the combined actions of bargaining hard and the solidarity of standing together are the key ingredients needed to get a deal that works for teachers and for our students before June 30 and hopefully sooner," said the letter.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender said he wasn't surprised by the vote in favour of a strike by B.C. teachers. (CBC)
"Please know that both parties are currently involved in discussions," the letter continued. "Our intention is to bargain non-stop throughout the weekend.
"We believe that a small, but important window to negotiate a fair deal exists and we want to take every opportunity to get that deal."
However, the letter says, the situation is fluid and members should take personal items they will need during the summer home with them this week.
Teachers vote to strike
Some 28,809 teachers voted in favour of a full-scale walkout, of a total of 33,387 who cast ballots in a vote held Monday and Tuesday this week.
The union is required to give notice of three days before members walk off the job.
B.C. Teachers' Federation president Jim Iker stressed that while teachers are prepared to go on a full-scale strike, negotiations will continue over the weekend. (CBC)
B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender said he wasn't surprised by the vote results, and that the union needs to rethink its expectations and be more willing to engage in meaningful bargaining.
Teachers have been without a contract since June 2013, and the vote is the latest development in the dispute that has seen the union and government divided over issues of wages and classroom conditions.
The government has saved $12 million each week in salaries during the teachers' current but limited job action, plus nearly $5 million more by chopping wages.
In the event of a full strike affecting the end of the school year, the B.C. government says every effort will be made to ensure report cards and exams aren't affected.
Potential strike impacts
Here's what the full strike would mean for students in kindergarten up to Grade 9:
- Schools would be closed.
- Parents should make child care arrangements, where required.
- Final report cards will be sent to parents, but written comments may be shorter than usual.
Here's what the full strike would mean for students in Grades 10, 11 and 12:
- Secondary schools would likely only be open for the purpose of administering exams.
- Picket lines could be outside schools.
- Students in rural areas may not have normal school bus service.
- Provincial exams will be marked and final marks will be sent out in as timely a manner as possible.
The Ministry of Education says the BC Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) has asked the Labour Relations Board to deem the work required for the completion of report cards as an essential service.
Schedule for B.C.'s provincial exams
June 16-26
- Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10 (Schools may schedule these sessions at any time after June 16.)
June 18
- Science 10 (only for schools that require an early session)
- Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 Foundations of Mathematics
- Pre-Calculus 10
June 19
- BC First Nations Studies 12
June 20
- English 12
- English 10 First Peoples
- Communications 12
- Français langue première 10
June 23
- Français langue seconde-immersion 12
- Français langue première 12
- Science 10
- Civic Studies 11
June 24
- English 12 First Peoples
- English 10
- Social Studies 11
Source: B.C. Ministry of Education
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