The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF), the union representing teachers, has informed School District #27 it will again be engaged in rotating strikes and will be withdrawing teaching services in SD27 on Thursday (June 12), says schools superintendent Mark Thiessen.
During that time, schools and other locations will be picketed, he says, adding he expects all union personnel in SD27 schools may be directed by their executives not to cross the picket lines.
“Should this occur, I also expect each school will have very limited, and in some case, no teaching or support staff to supervise students.”
While schools will continue to be open and principals and vice-principals will be present, there will be no instruction. For safety reasons, Thiessen asks parents to keep all children home from classes on June 12, and he will be directing the buses not to run that day.
Most programs will not be running in our district schools on June 12, including all StrongStart programs, before and after-school daycares, or use by community user groups (on a rotating strike day, pickets are considered to be up from midnight to midnight).
For further information regarding items related to the current job action and lockout, visit the SD27 website at www.sd27.bc.ca. On the link entitled “Questions and Answers re Strike and Lockout,” you will find more information regarding extracurricular activities, field trips, and teachers being covered by WorkSafeBC during the lockout.
Local media outlets will continue to provide information.
Classes will resume as normal on Friday (June 13).
In the event further strike action continues the following week, another parent information bulletin will be sent home in advance of dates that are selected by the BCTF.
