Teachers in School District 48 have been working under the restrictions of an employer lockout for the past two weeks. As a result, they have faced punitive measures, including a salary cut of 10 per cent. This action on the part of the employer came in response to a moderate job action, approved by the Labour Relations Board, that teachers began in late April. This job action was intended to minimize impacts on students but put pressure on the employer at the bargaining table.
Unfortunately, the employer’s lockout has had a deleterious effect on some student activities that had not been previously affected by the teacher job action. Prior to the lockout, most extracurricular activities were continuing as the union recognizes that they are voluntary activities. The ill-conceived, chaotic lockout by the employer left teachers, students, and the public, unclear on which activities teachers were permitted to participate, and forced teachers to abandon their voluntary activities. Because of the employer lockout, administrators at some district schools have chosen to cancel some activities and special events which could have proceeded without teachers’ involvement.
Understandably, teachers are not happy about the direction that the dispute has taken, but remain committed to bargain a freely negotiated collective agreement.
Our bargaining goals are supported by all members: “A Fair Deal for Teachers; Better Supports for Students.”
Carl Walker
President
Sea to Sky Teachers’ Association
Squamish
