Skip to content

Tentative agreement reached to end teachers’ strike

LABOUR DISPUTE

A tentative agreement has been reached between the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers’ Association.

While no contract details were released this morning (Tuesday, Sept. 16), mediator Vince Ready said both sides worked “very, very hard” to reach the tentative agreement, meeting for the entire weekend at a Richmond hotel to get the deal done.

“The parties are going to meet later this morning and finalize a few of the outstanding details, but generally speaking there has been a tentative agreement initiated by the parties and that’s really all I’ve got to say at this point,” Ready told reporters this morning.

Once the deal is finalized BCTF members will need to vote on its ratification. If approved, teachers will then need some time to get prepared for classes to resume.

“This has been a very difficult time for teachers, students, parents and everyone else involved in education in B.C. The next few days will continue to require patience and understanding as we learn about the agreement, and the parties finalize the deals,” School District No. 46 (SD46) superintendent of schools Patrick Bocking wrote in a letter to parents released today.

“Parents will have questions about school start-up. We will continue to do our best to provide as much information as possible as it becomes available.”

Parents can keep up to date with what’s happening in SD46 on their website at www.sd46.bc.ca. Information about school start-up will be posted there once timelines can be determined.

“Our school and district leadership team has met with the Sunshine Coast Teachers' Association recently to review what will be required to ensure that students enter their schools to a well prepared, and organized learning environment,” Bocking said.

“There is much to be done, but we will work quickly to have our students back in class, when and if the BCTF vote affirms the tentative agreement.”

Editor’s note: Coast Reporter will continue to follow this story and update as more information becomes available.