Port Alberni parents will need to make other plans for their school-age children after BC teachers served one-day strike notice for next Tuesday.
Locals teachers are staging a one-day walk-out on May 27. The move affects all schools across School District 70, Alberni District Teachers Union President Ken Zydyk said.
The measure is for one day only and further action will depend on the progress of negotiations between the BCTF and provincial government.
“Right now it’s just for one day. But if there is no progress at the table then we’ll look at one day the following week,” Zydyk said. “It won’t necessarily be on the same day of the week though.”
The BCTF rejected the offer of a $1,200 signing bonus for an agreement by the end of the school year.
BCTF president Jim Iker said Tuesday the bonus doesn’t make up for the government’s wage offer of six per cent over six years. The government also threatened to cut teacher wages by five per cent or more because of strike action.
“There’s been concessions asked for and threats but there’s been nothing that meets the educational needs of kids,” Zydyk said.
Iker reiterated the union’s position that more pay, more teachers and a return to contract language guaranteeing class size and special needs support are needed to reach a settlement.
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~With files from Tom Fletcher
