British Columbia's public-school teachers are planning to walk off the job for three days next week, sending the parents of many of the Sea to Sky District's approximately 4,000 students scrambling to find child care beginning Monday (March 5).
In response to the B.C. government's introduction of legislation that would halt to the 5 -month-long labour dispute and impose a contract with a net-zero increase, B.C. teachers on Wednesday (Feb. 29) voted 87 per cent yes to authorize a strike. B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) president Susan Lambert announced early Thursday (March 1) that the province's 41,000 teachers would walk off the job for three days beginning Monday.
Lisa McCullough, District 48 superintendent, on Thursday issued an advisory to parents that schools will be closed for students on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (March 5 to 7). There will be no bus transportation, but school administrative staff will be at each school site to oversee any emergent issues, the emailed statement said.
Other programs taking place at the schools, including StrongStart, preschool and evening rentals, should be able to continue, McCullough said.
It is the sincere hope of the Board of Education and our school district staff that this dispute will be concluded quickly and that normal school operations will resume as soon as possible, the statement said.
We are aware that our walkout will be an inconvenience to parents, but we've done our best to minimize the impacts on students right from September, Beth Miller, Sea to Sky Teachers' Association (SSTA) president, said in a statement.
We cannot ignore this attack on teachers' bargaining rights, on our professional rights, and on our working conditions. If we roll over and do nothing, we will see learning conditions for students deteriorate even further than they already have.
It's possible that the three-day strike action will be curtailed. Lambert said that if the provincial government's legislation is enacted by Wednesday, the union will consult with members about the next step, the Vancouver Sun reported.
McCullough's statement said parents should check the school district website, www.sd48.bc.ca, and their email inboxes for updates.
Please check back with www.squamishchief.com for updates on this developing story.
