The B.C. Teachers’ Federation is blaming the government’s rigid bargaining conditions for a failed attempt at mediation.
The union and the province agreed to bring in Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kelleher, but despite weeks of talks the parties couldn't reach mediation stage.
“The government, by trying to impose a series of unworkable pre-conditions prior to entering into mediation, has not provided the flexibility required to make mediation work,” Iker said.
“Once again, this government missed an important opportunity to reach a settlement, get summer school back on and provide certainty for September.”
Iker said teachers and the BC Liberals are within one per cent on wages and one year on term length, but the government refuses to budge on issues of class size and composition.
The union would be willing to compromise further on wages if the province showed movement on those fronts, he added.
“Compromise needs to come from both sides. [Premier] Christy Clark, say yes to mediation – fair mediation. We’re ready any time,” Iker said.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender disagreed with the union’s characterization, blaming the failed mediation attempt on teachers’ demands being outside the “affordability zone” of past public sector union deals.
“They have moved on wages alone,” he said. “There is still $225 million in benefits that Mr. Iker has not referred to in any of his comments, and those clearly take us out of the zone.”
Fassbender said the government has offered $375 million over three years to address classroom conditions, an amount teachers have called inadequate.
Kelleher said he will make himself available if the two sides can agree on bargaining conditions, the BCTF said.
Last month, veteran mediator Vince Ready declined an offer to help end the dispute, citing a lack of availability in his schedule.
The teachers launched a full-scale strike on June 17 and have continued picketing since the school year ended.
The B.C. Labour Relations Board ruled schools must still offer courses for students from grades 10 to 12 who failed a course they can’t retake next year, deeming them an essential service.
Several municipalities have already determined the ruling doesn’t apply to them and cancelled summer classes, including in Vancouver.
“After reviewing the ruling and the individual academic records of all students who might be eligible, the district determined that it does not have any students who meet the LRB essential services order requirements,” The Vancouver School Board said Wednesday.
