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WITH the provincial government still refusing to put the necessary funding on the table to reach a reasonable deal on issues like class size, composition, staffing levels, and fair wages for teachers, the BC Teachers’ Federation will continue rotating strikes, according to BCTF President Jim Iker.
The rotating strikes will occur on Monday, June 2, Tuesday, June 3, Thursday, June 5, and Friday, June 6. Every school district will be closed down for another full day.
“BC teachers are committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement at the bargaining table,” said Iker. “That agreement, however, needs to include adequate funding to make improvements to important learning conditions, which are teachers’ working conditions. It’s time for Premier Christy Clark to free up the resources that will bring the two sides closer together and ensure students start the next school year with smaller classes, more support for children with special needs, and extra one-on-one time.
“We also expect the government to be flexible on their wage demands and show some good faith and willingness to move. Teachers know that bargaining is about compromise, but we cannot be the only ones expected to move. Collective bargaining is about compromise and moving forwards, not backwards.”
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Strike schedule:
Monday, June 2
#35 – Langley
#37 – Delta
#38 – Richmond
#42 – Maple Ridge
Tuesday, June 3Â Â
#33 – Chilliwack
#36 – Surrey
#41 – Burnaby
#44 – North Vancouver
#45 – West Vancouver
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Thursday, June 5
#34 – Abbotsford
#43 – Coquitlam
Friday, June 6
#39 – Vancouver
#40 – New Westminster
#75 – Mission
School District #93 (Conseil Scolaire Francophone) schools will be closed with others in their local communities throughout the week.