With school set to start in less than a week and no end to the teacher strike/lock-out, it appears the start of school will be delayed.
Norm Sabourin, Boundary Teachers’ Association chair, told the Gazette that teachers are back picketing at area schools this week.
“The main message we want to get across is that we want the government to go to mediation this week,” said Sabourin, who was attending BCTF meetings in Kamloops when he spoke. “We are confident if they agree to come motivated to get schools open next week—we can get a deal done. Our union leadership and our bargaining team is prepared for mediation.”
In a press release, Teresa Rezansoff, SD51 (Boundary) board chair, stated on behalf of the school board:
“The SD51 Board of Education understands that our entire community wants our schools open on Sept. 2. Trustees also understand the serious and critical impact that the current labour dispute between the BCTF and the BC Public School Employer’s Association is having on our children. We are actively advocating for a negotiated settlement to the dispute in time for school start up on Sept. 2.
“We are hopeful that BCPSEA and the BCTF will resume negotiations and that mediator Vince Ready will work with the parties to help bring about a resolution prior to the beginning of school. The needs of our students must be placed first.”
The Boundary School District will continue to communicate with parents and our communities regarding any changes or developments in the strike action status through school and district websites and the SD
51 Facebook page.