Fact-Finder Report Fails to Justify Imposing a Contract, BC Fed Calls on Government to Negotiate and Quit Playing Politics with our Kids’ Education
By Contributor
The B.C. Federation of Labour said today that Minister Abbott’s interpretation of the fact-finder’s report into the dispute between teachers and the government missed the mark.
“It’s preposterous for this government to conclude that its only remedy is to illegally legislate a contract on its own terms,” said Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour.
“It’s time for the government to quit playing politics with our kids’ education and come back to the table, willing to actually negotiate.”
Sinclair noted that the fact finder recognized that the teachers’ action had little impact on the quality of education children are receiving.
“This limited job action has placed pressure on administrators without affecting our kids,” said Sinclair.
“The BC Teachers’ Federation has welcomed the appointment of a mediator and now indicates a willingness to appoint an arbitrator to settle the dispute without legislation,” said Sinclair.
“In no way is the government justified in moving forward with legislation.”
Sinclair said he was concerned that Premier Clark was intentionally setting the groundwork for a completely unnecessary fight with BC’s teachers, in a vain effort to distract the public from her government’s failure to properly fund education.
“After ten years of underfunding and mismanagement of education, this government has run out of ideas,” said Sinclair.
“British Columbians don’t want a fight. They want their government to negotiate and to do what’s right for their children.”
Earlier today, Abbott ruled out the appointment of a mediator to find compromise between the two sides and promised he would legislate a one-sided contract next week.
“While the teachers are exhausting every avenue to get a fair deal that is good for our kids, this government is determined to be a bully.”
Sinclair said he hoped that cooler heads in government would prevail over the weekend, and that government wouldn’t put our children’s education at risk.
“Let’s be absolutely clear. If this government imposes a one-sided contract through legislation, Premier Clark and her colleagues will bear full responsibility for the consequences.”
Sinclair said that he did not know how teachers would respond to their rights being stripped by this government, but noted that in 2005, similar legislation caused a massive disruption in the education system.
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