Sunshine Coast Teachers Association (SCTA) is pleased with news that Vince Ready will participate in negotiations between striking teachers and the government of B.C.
Along with other members of the striking B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) that news is not enough to get teachers off the picket lines. Locally teachers appear resolved to continue the strike.
"No one [here] has crossed the active picket lines. There may be one teacher who has gone in after hours but that's one out of 300," said Bill Forst, SCTA president.
And while public support appeared mixed in a recent poll conducted online by Coast Reporter, local teachers appear to be garnering support.
On Oct. 17, many Elphin-stone Secondary School students joined their teachers on the picket line in spite of the pouring rain. And at last Tuesday's council meeting, Gibsons council voted to urge the provincial government to continue to seek a process that allows negotiations with the BCTF in order to resolve the dispute and reach a settlement.
Another development in the strike occurred Oct. 18 when the B.C. Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) called on the court to impose a substantial financial penalty on the BCTF because of its continued defiance of a court order.
"The time has come to show the BCTF there are serious consequences," said Naz Mitha, speaking on behalf of the BCPSEA.
The employers are also pleased with the news Ready has been appointed as a facilitator in the dispute.
Locally, a rally is to take place today (Oct. 21) with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) adding their support to the teachers. The march is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Brothers Park. From there the participants will march down Gibsons Way to Gibsons Elementary School where they will cross the street and come back on the other side to Brothers Park. The plan is to have people on both sides of the street when the ferry traffic comes through at about 2:30 p.m. Organizers expect a minimum of 250 people at the march.
