Talks resume in teachers’ strike, but no one is saying much

All eyes were on a Richmond hotel Saturday as both sides in the teachers’ strike resumed talks for the weekend.

Representatives from the government and B.C. Teachers’ Federation met with mediator Vince Ready, giving parents and students a glimmer of hope that a deal could be salvaged in the long-standing teachers’ strike.

Negotiators tried to keep the meetings top secret, but word soon leaked to the media.

Both sides were in separate rooms on opposite sides of the hotel, and Ready could be seen walking back and forth between them.

The mediator didn’t have much to say when asked about the progress of the meetings other than “bargaining is continuing.”

No sides have spoken publicly about the scope or length of the meetings between BCTF President Jim Iker, BC Public Employers’ Association negotiator Peter Cameron and Ready.

Teachers started strike action almost two weeks before the end of the school year in June.

With files from CTV Vancouver's Scott Hurst and The Canadian Press

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  BC Teachers' Federation President Jim Iker takes a phone call outside of a hotel in Richmond, where both sides of the long-standing labour dispute are meeting with mediator Vince Ready. Sept. 13, 2014. (CTV)