The two sides of the B.C. teachers’ strike remained holed up at a Metro Vancouver hotel all day Sunday with mediator Vince Ready, on the eve of what appears to be a third straight week of no classes.
Bargaining continued past midnight, and all parties were back at it Sunday morning, trying to bridge the gap and get a deal done.
For a second straight day, the BC Teachers’ Federation, the BC Public School Employers’ Association and Ready refused to comment on how far apart the two sides remain, only saying they’re still working toward a deal.
“All I said is what I said yesterday, talks are continuing,” Ready told a throng of reporters outside of the hotel.
“I’m not going to make a comment. I know you’re anxious to get one, but possibly later on,” said BCPSEA spokesman Peter Cameron.
Both sides remain locked in discussions approaching midnight Sunday and did not comment.
I just spoke with Jim Iker... He said #bctf will not make a comment tonight. Negotiations are headed past midnight again @CTVVancouver
— Scott Hurst (@CTVScottHurst) September 15, 2014
The last time the government and teachers' union held mediated discussions weeks ago, talks fell through because the two sides were too far apart.
Since then, B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender seems to have softened his hard stance against legislating teachers back to work.
The Legislature resumes on Oct. 6 and if there is no resolution in the meeting, it’s possible that teachers will be legislated back to work in October.
