Vancouver schools will open Tuesday if teachers’ strike resolved by early Monday evening

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      The Vancouver school board has issued the following letter:

      Dear Parents and Guardians,

      The purpose of this letter is to provide you with an update on the provincial labour dispute and, in particular, with respect to whether or not schools will be operating on Tuesday, September 2.

      As you are aware, the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) and the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) reached an impasse with regard to negotiating a new contract and, as a result, on June 17, 2014 the BCTF escalated to a full-scale strike. Unfortunately, there was no resolution to the dispute over the summer months and so the strike is still in place. A glimmer of hope came about this week with the two parties agreeing to meet with Vince Ready, a highly respected mediator. We are hopeful that he can assist in mediating a settlement, but at the time of writing this letter, there is no agreement and the prospect of schools operating on Tuesday following Labour Day remains uncertain.

      Our goal as a school district is to get schools in operation as quickly as possible following the lifting of picket lines.

      If a settlement and/or resolution to the strike action is reached by early Monday evening, we hope that schools may open on Tuesday with our normal shortened opening day. Parents are encouraged to consult our website (www.vsb.bc.ca) and follow the local media for announcements over the long weekend.

      The safety and security of our students is our highest priority. Should any students arrive at school if picket lines are in place, our school administrators will ensure that they are cared for until they can be safely returned to their homes under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

      I am sorry that the normally exciting beginning to a new school year has been reduced to this high level of uncertainty.  We have an outstanding public education system in British Columbia and I am proud of the hard work and support provided by all staff in this complex school district.

      It is my hope that the labour impasse is resolved quickly at the bargaining table and that our school district can soon return to normal operations.

      Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.

      Sincerely,

      Dr. Steve Cardwell
      Superintendent of Schools

      c.  Vancouver Board of Education

      Comments

      20 Comments

      Hon Chow

      Aug 29, 2014 at 5:36pm

      The government will not back down from the BCTF. Iker spent the strike fund on ads for the NDP last election and he backed the wrong horse.

      Nigel

      Aug 29, 2014 at 7:35pm

      It'd be nice to see teachers who want to teach, break pickets to teach. As these would be the passionate ones in this profession for the right reasons. A noble profession that does not eye cash and pension as priority. These are the ones that ultimately should be compensated equally to surgeons.

      The others...maybe a union in the ball-bearings manufacturing industry is more suitable.

      RandomHatGuy

      Aug 29, 2014 at 10:50pm

      First they say we'll know a few days before school starts, now they're telling us the day before school starts!?!? why I dont see any agreements if u have to wait the day before school.

      fedup grandma

      Aug 29, 2014 at 11:07pm

      you all need to think whats right. why do u need to all have to sit at last minute on what is right the children. all the government thinks is were they need to spend stupid money at like bribe us with 40 a child.. yayyyyyyyyy you still dont get my vote next time round.
      smart ass'es. and as for some teachers.. mostly from KD WOODWARD IN SURREY. YOU NEED TO BE MORE COMPASSIONIATE TO THERE CHILDREN THERE. STOP BRING BULLIES. AND STOP TREATING THE KIDS AS YOUR LITTLE SOLDIERS.. THEY AINT YOUR ARMY. I PULLED MY GRANDKIDS OUT OF THAT SCHOOL. FOR THERE ACTIONS ON MY GRANDKIDS.. AND THEY ARE A VERY UNORGANIZED SCHOOL.

      parent of 3

      Aug 30, 2014 at 12:16am

      Please stop the strike and let the school open. If Jim is so sure public opinion and school teachers are on his side why didn't him agree to a vote?
      To ask the teachers to strike without paying them without calling for a vote to see if they are still willing to do it at this point is very wrong.
      If he cares about the students, then place let the school open and keep negotiation with the government. A lot of unions have succeed with their negotiation with the government without strike.
      Sounds like he is out to get the Liberal and to try force a lot of money out from the government, which is pretty much mission impossible.
      He is not a good leader in my opinion, and he does not seem to have a good game plan. The strike is not putting any pressure in the government as much as it is on the teachers, whom he is supposed to protect. Teachers have paid a lot fo union due every paycheck to have him do his job, he is making a mess and causing everyone a lot of trouble. It is time to stop this madness.

      pro-choice

      Aug 30, 2014 at 9:39am

      The education debate in BC should be much wider than "Do you support the BCTF or the Government"?

      Are there alternatives beyond the GOVT/BCTF monopoly, that would be better for students, better for parents, and better for teaching professionals?

      Can we agree to publicly FUND the cost of a child's education, but not rely on government to deliver the service?

      Google "school choice" to see what the options are.

      http://www.edchoice.org/School-Choice/What-is-School-Choice

      Concerned parents

      Aug 30, 2014 at 9:41am

      Go back to school and teach this is too much!!!stop this madness you could resolve problems by not going to the picket line.Enough is Enough.

      angus

      Aug 30, 2014 at 9:55am

      There better not be school on Sept 2.

      lets strike a deal

      Aug 30, 2014 at 1:42pm

      It is hardly a bargaining position for the teachers who have already been hit in the pocket and will need a raise to catch up. Can teachers get a deal or will there be empty classrooms? Are over loaded classrooms better than empty classrooms? Teacher's shouldn't have to fight for it's student's education and have to bargain for smaller class sizes so students wouldn't be left behind. How many hours a teacher works, the amount of pay etc but the number of students in a classroom has more negative consequences for a student's future than for teachers who already have an education.

      confused parent

      Aug 30, 2014 at 2:14pm

      I am very disappointed with the lack of respect towards parents who are left to the last minute to prepare for the new school year. Even if a contract is reached, I'm sure it will be short term and we will be in this situation again a few years from now. With the advent of online home-schooling people like my wife and myself are at the point where this is a viable option where we can be more involved in our daughter's education. The education system is a mess and needs to be re-structured. Kids are graduating who can barely put a sentence together and don't get me started on their inability to spell properly. We are sending kids into the world unprepared for the challenges that await them. if teachers wan't more money they need more training and the system needs to be overhauled or more people like myself will home school.