Sea to Sky public school teachers staged their second day of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation’s (BCTF) “rotating” strike action in as many weeks on Friday (June 6), with a third planned next week — and a full strike vote looming on Monday and Tuesday (June 9 and 10).
Under sunny skies, teachers and their supporters walked picket lines in front of mostly empty schools in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton on Friday. Unless a deal is reached between the BCTF and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA), the next day of “rotating” job action is planned on Wednesday (June 11).
BCTF officials have said that if members approve full strike action, the earliest the full walkout could take effect is Monday, June 16.
Sea to Sky School District officials announced in a letter to parents that schools will be closed on Wednesday (June 11), the next day the BCTF’s “rotating” job action is planned locally.
“Given the nature of ‘rotating’ strikes, and dependent on provincial bargaining progress, we are again advising you of the possibility of future school closers and the potential for escalation of job action,” district superintendent Lisa McCullough wrote.
Some extracurricular events have already been cancelled or rescheduled as a result of employer lockout provisions, one of which prevents teachers from taking part in activities more than 45 minutes before or after school.
The dispute is not expected to affect 2014 graduation ceremonies planned on June 20 at Howe Sound Secondary School.
The BCSPEA earlier announced that if the job action continues, secondary school teachers will be locked out on June 24 and 25, elementary school instructors will be locked out June 26 and all will be locked out on June 27, the last scheduled day of school for 2013-’14.
District 48 officials earlier told The Chief that if that occurs, administrators and district staff will mark Grade 10 provincial English exams planned on June 24 and Grade 11 social studies exams planned on June 25.
