While both sides were hopeful to get a deal at the last minute before the school year starts next week, contract talks for B.C. teachers have been paused for the foreseeable future.

In an update late Friday afternoon, president of the BC Teachers Federation Teri Mooring says a mediator told the federation and the B.C. Public School Employers Association – bargaining on behalf of the provincial government – to hit pause.

“After eight busy days of mediation over the last week and a half, the mediator appointed by the Labour Relations Board has instructed the two sides to recess until the fourth week of September. Mediation will continue then,” Mooring says.

Mooring says the federation is concerned about a proposed government rollback on a collective agreement restored by the Supreme Court of Canada. She says that includes provisions on class size and composition and ratios to staff specialized teachers.

The most-recent contract for teachers expired on July 1.

More to come.

#BCed mediation update – the mediator has instructed the two sides to pause. Mediation will resume later in September. The thread below is a copy of the message from BCTF President @TeriMooring sent to all members today. #bcpoli

— BCTF (@bctf) August 30, 2019