Returning to the picket line a possibility for BCTF
Posted February 4, 2020 11:41 am.
Last Updated February 4, 2020 11:42 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The BC Teachers’ Federation is still considering a return to the picket line, as contract negotiations between it and the province drag on.
In an email sent to her 45,000 members, BCTF president Teri Mooring insists the union is committed to the current mediation process, but isn’t taking the possibility of strike action off the table.
However, she also revealed a four-stage plan which would see incremental increases in job action, if the teacher and the government fail to hammer out a deal.
RELATED: B.C. teachers’ union rejects mediator recommendations, seeks more bargaining
The fourth phase, a full-on strike and withdrawal of services, would require a province-wide membership vote before it would proceed.
So far, no strike has been called and there is no plan to set a date to vote or for a strike to start, and there won’t be any job action while mediation is ongoing.
After a year of bargaining, the email response said this is a normal step for the union.
In November, the BCTF rejected recommendations put forward by the government-appointed mediator and asked to go back to the bargaining table.
With files from Marcella Bernardo and Lisa Steacy
