No deal reached between teachers and the province
Both sides must make moves with mediator Vince Ready
News1130 Staff
August 27, 2014 3:45 pm
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VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – There is no deal to to get students back in classes after Labour Day despite a meeting between the key figures in the BC teachers dispute.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender and BC Teachers Federation boss Jim Iker have now emerged from a short meeting at the Legislature.
The BCTF continues to ask for the government to agree to mediation.
Fassbender says he invited the lead negotiators to meet today to resolve this strike. “We want to see students in school next Tuesday.”
“To make that happen, both sides need to focus on the issues that can be mediated and settled immediately and set aside some matters that will be dealt with by the courts.
Fassbender asked that both parties to set aside the matter of potential grievances stemming from Justice Griffin’s decision.
He says he’s 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.
He is also urging the parties to get into mediation as soon as possible.
Lastly, he asked the BCTF and BCPSEA to suspend all strike or lockout activities for two weeks when Mr. 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.