Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

More classes cancelled as B.C. teachers strike goes into second week of school

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 08 Sep, 2014 10:33 AM
    VANCOUVER - All half a million of British Columbia's public school students remain locked out of their classrooms at the start of the second week of the school year as the teachers strike continues.
     
    Over the weekend, the province rejected a deal that tried to end — or at least suspend — the  strike.
     
    Education Minister Peter Fassbender says he would not agree to binding arbitration after government negotiator Peter Cameron advised against the idea, saying the proposal was not serious.
     
    Cameron says the teachers did not put give government a written proposal and failed to guarantee the end of the strike.
     
    But Jim Iker of the BC Teachers' Federation says the union would have asked its members to vote to end the job action, and government was being inflexible.
     
    If both sides had gone forward with the deal, a third party would have been appointed to draw out contract details that teachers and government would have been forced to agree upon.
     
    Fassbender had previously given a cool response to the idea, but stopped short of "categorically" rejecting the proposal.
     
    However, since Cameron's suggestion, it appears arbitration is completely out of the picture.
     
    After government's rejection of the idea, Cameron said he believed the next step toward resolving the dispute would be to hold talks with veteran mediator Vince Ready.
     
    The teachers' union has also expressed openness to the idea on Twitter.
     
    Ready is regarded as one of Canada's top labour troubleshooters, but he said last week the two sides were too far apart for mediation to be effective.
     
    But Cameron says Ready is still monitoring the situation.
     
    The ongoing job action has prompted one school district to entertain its international students  because refunds for the annual admission fee will not be given for time lost during the strike.
     
    The Delta School District charges $13,000 for students from around the world to come learn English and attend its classes for a year.
     
    Spokeswoman Deneka Michaud (mi-show) says administrators will take students to see parks, lakes and do Canadian activities for several days this week.
     
    She says the district will monitor the strike situation and make plans on how it will handle the international students if job action keeps going.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    RIP: Comedian Joan Rivers Dead At 81

    RIP: Comedian Joan Rivers Dead At 81
    Joan Rivers, the raucous, acid-tongued comedian who crashed the male-dominated realm of late-night talk shows and turned Hollywood red carpets into danger zones for badly dressed celebrities, died Thursday. She was 81.

    RIP: Comedian Joan Rivers Dead At 81

    Long Road Back: Lulay set to start at quarterback for Lions against Redblacks

    Long Road Back: Lulay set to start at quarterback for Lions against Redblacks
    SURREY, B.C. - Travis Lulay always knew he would be back under centre for the B.C. Lions.

    Long Road Back: Lulay set to start at quarterback for Lions against Redblacks

    Nanaimo Mounties seek suspect following sexual assault of woman

    Nanaimo Mounties seek suspect following sexual assault of woman
    NANAIMO, B.C. - Mounties on Vancouver Island have released a composite sketch as they search for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 24-year-old woman.

    Nanaimo Mounties seek suspect following sexual assault of woman

    Fire bans lifted in northern parts of British Columbia due to cooler weather

    Fire bans lifted in northern parts of British Columbia due to cooler weather
    PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - Open fires will be allowed again throughout parts of northern British Columbia starting Friday, thanks to cooler and wetter weather.  

    Fire bans lifted in northern parts of British Columbia due to cooler weather

    Nova Scotia to introduce legislation to ban fracking for onshore shale gas

    Nova Scotia to introduce legislation to ban fracking for onshore shale gas
    HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia government will prohibit high-volume hydraulic fracturing for onshore shale gas, saying Wednesday the ban will remain in place until the province's population is ready to embrace the industry.

    Nova Scotia to introduce legislation to ban fracking for onshore shale gas

    Former prime minister Mulroney not taking sides on 30th anniversary of 1st election

    Former prime minister Mulroney not taking sides on 30th anniversary of 1st election
    BOUCHERVILLE, Que. - Brian Mulroney appeared to be in good health on the eve of the 30th anniversary of his first election as prime minister.

    Former prime minister Mulroney not taking sides on 30th anniversary of 1st election