The BC Teachers Federation says members will start job action next week.
BCTF president Jim Iker says after months of unproductive negotiations with the province the union feels it has no choice but to start a “stage one” job action April 23rd.
Louise Herle is president of the Sunshine Coast Teachers Association.
Mike Ball, president of the Nanaimo District Teachers Association, says they’re hoping to send a strong message to the government.
The union is not speculating on how long it’s willing to stay at stage one, but Iker warned during his press conference Thursday that teachers’ patience is running out.
While the BCTF accuses the province of trying to provoke a strike… Education Minister Peter Fassbender is firing back, claiming the BCTF is more focused on implementing its strike plan than bargaining. He issued the following statement:
“It’s a little disappointing but not at all surprising. Over the past few weeks, it appears the BCTF has been more focused on implementing its strike plan than bargaining at the table. “There has been virtually no movement from the BCTF on their wage and contract positions. The union hasn’t moved off its opening position of approximately 13.5% increase over three years, nor has it withdrawn any of its many other monetary proposals.”
