Province once again rejects BCTF’s call for binding arbitration
Posted September 8, 2014 3:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – BC’s education minister is once again rejecting a proposal from the BC Teachers’ Federation for binding arbitration.
Peter Fassbender says there are two very clear things in his mind. “One, I believe the BCTF executive knew when they called for [binding arbitration] that this government would not agree to it. That ploy was to make them look like they’re trying to be reasonable, trying to come to a path to a settlement through binding arbitration.”
He says the proposal for binding arbitration is the BCTF’s attempt to deflect any responsibilities from itself and put it all on the government. “I can say very clearly, we want to negotiate a settlement, we want a mediated settlement. We do not want the pre-conditions that have been put on, even in the suggestion of arbitration, those should not even be in the mediation discussions because that’s what mediation is all about.”
Fassbender says binding arbitration won’t be considered by the government because it takes the responsibility away from both parties and gives it to a third-party. “That is not in the cards. It is not fiscally responsible to do that for the taxpayers of British Columbia.”
“Today I am saying to Mr. Iker, if you’re serious about wanting to get a settlement, why do you not do what I asked you a week-and-a-half ago? Ask your members this Wednesday for the ability for the executive to suspend strike action for whatever period of time would be involved for us to negotiate and mediate a final settlement.”
When it comes to the issues of class size and composition, Fassbender says the government wants to negotiate those at the table. “When I had Mr. Iker and Mr. Cameron in my office, I said ‘let us take the court case and any attendent results of any grievances that are attached and put it to the side until it runs its course. None of us know how long that’s going to be, let’s park it. But, let’s deal with class size and composition at the bargaining table.”
He adds it even says in the court ruling those issues should be dealt with at the table. “The ruling was based on a previous contract, that contract no longer exists. To suggest you put everything aside until a court rules means that we’re not going to negotiate class size and composition? We need to negotiate it, we’ve said that.”
Earlier, Iker announced teachers would vote on Wednesday on whether to end the strike if the province agreed to binding arbitration.
