Things are not looking good in negotiations between the province and B.C.’s teachers.
BCTF President Glen Hansman was asked what the chances are of getting a deal done as hoped for by the self-imposed end of June deadline.
“The likelihood of getting a deal before the end of June, if the employer‘s proposals that make class size and composition worse, if those are still there it is about a zero per cent chance there will be a deal before the end of June.”
Has the union and the employer set bargaining dates past June 30th?
“Not as yet. We have offered dates in July, and August, and September, and October as well. thus far the employer has not said yes to that but the teams are meeting face to face.”
Hansman says it is looking more and more likely the two sides will be negotiating “into the fall.“
Should teachers make financial plans should there be a lock out or a strike?
“I think we will be going in to the new school year, and school will start like normal. What happens in the fall will is another matter. It wouldn’t be the first time that teachers have been locked out but I am still hopeful we can reach a deal at the table. I am hoping that wiser heads will prevail on the government side.”
Hansman adds for teachers “no one is itching to be on a picket line.”
As for the class size and composition impasse, Hansman says what the employer has tabled will result in significant job losses for teacher positions recently won back in the Supreme Court.
“I think at this juncture given how long this is dragging on for, given the tension that is playing out, and given how frustrated everyone is Trustees and MLAs should be asking for that so they can understand that this is what it is that teachers are upset about. I would suspect that they do not want to see services cut in their communities too.”
For its part the B.C. Public School Employers Association says the BCTF‘s proposals would cost millions.
On class size and composition Hansman says while it is open to negotiation it is the union‘s view what was won in the Supreme Court is a floor that cannot be taken away.
BCPSEA is on record as stating that it believed every aspect of class size and composition is open for negotiation.
