Bargaining between teachers and the province appears to be in trouble as the employer responds to frustrations expressed by the teachers union.

BCPSEA’s Alan Chell says the province has a bargaining mandate and any deal with teachers must be within that mandate.

Chell was asked if he sees the guidelines around class size and composition as being untouchable at the table.

“No I don’t. In fact when had all the previous discussions, and we were both involved in them, it was very clear that, that was open for negotiations going forward.”

Does BCPSEA’s bargaining mandate with the BCTF have the blessing of Finance minister Carole James?

“Absolutely absolutely.”

Chell expressed optimism about getting a deal done and was asked if that means the talks are not in trouble.

“Well I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that. I would say the fact that this is in the media, anytime you see parties talking in the media, it is usually a sign that there are some challenges. Yes we do have some challenges.”

Chell says every union so far has agreed to a deal within the provincial bargaining mandate and teachers must as well.

“What we are looking for is we are looking to bargain those factors. The problem we have right now is we have the financial mandate that we are working within. The BCTF has tabled a proposal that would result in 100s and 100s of millions of dollars added to the system and that money is simply not there.”

Chell says the other major hurdle is the ‘me too’ clauses in all the other union agreements.

“With the other groups already getting settled they also have language saying if another union was to get more than us then we get it too. It would be a significant issue for the government if they said well we will single out this one union and give you more than anyone else.”

The two sides still have plenty of bargaining dates scheduled through to the end of June.