The province’s teachers are giving their union a strike mandate.
The BC Teachers Federation says 89 per cent voted in favour.
President Jim Iker says it sends a very clear message to the government, but the union isn’t planning any job action at this point.
It’s a stand getting strong backing at the local level. Louise Herle is president of the Sunshine Coast Teachers association.
Mike Ball, President of Nanaimo District Teachers Association, says the strike vote is being driven by frustration, and he fears the government is heading down the same path as 2012.
The union says if it comes to job action it would start with something “administrative in nature” that doesn’t affect classes. Under the BCTF’s rules a full-scale walk out would require a second strike vote.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender says he’s not surprised by the strike vote, and he’s calling on the union to table its wage demands when bargaining resumes today.
The BCTF website has a special page for parents, and it’s promising to use it to keep them up to date on the negotiations and any potential job action.
