The two sides of the B.C. teachers’ strike have adjourned marathon talks at a Metro Vancouver hotel.
Discussions started on Sunday and stretched into the early morning hours of Monday as a third straight week of no classes begins.
Mediator Vince Ready had no progress to report as he walked away from a Richmond hotel, but said talks would resume later in the day.
On Sunday 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.
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.
