Burnaby teachers are voting on their next move to escalate job action, following the provincial government's legislation to force an end to the ongoing labour dispute.
"We want a negotiated settlement, not a legislated one," said Richard Storch, president of the Burnaby Teachers' Association.
B.C. Teachers' Federation lawyers went to the Labour Relations Board Monday to find out what options teachers have in terms of expanding their strike action. Because education is considered an essential service in B.C., the teachers' union has to ask the board what strike options are available.
The ruling, released Tuesday, states they can strike for a maximum of three days with two days' advance notice. B.C. teachers are holding a vote on Tuesday and Wednesday and will announce their next move on Thursday.
"Teachers would prefer to be engaging in a meaningful mediation process to resolve this dispute rather than escalate it," said BCTF president Susan Lambert. "But given the government's ongoing refusal to meet us halfway, we're compelled to try to increase the pressure on both our employer and government."
Meanwhile, Burnaby teachers rallied at Moscrop Secondary and Edmonds Elementary, after school hours on Monday.
Education Minister George Abbott announced legislation to end the dispute on Tuesday afternoon. Bill 22 imposes a cooling-off period and suspends strike action while calling in a mediator.
The legislation does not impose a new contract, but teachers will have to work under the old collective agreement during the mediation period. The goal is to reach a negotiated agreement by the beginning of summer, but if there is no agreement, the mediator will issue a report by June 30 with nonbinding recommendations.
The provincial government's move towards using legislation came after a government-appointed fact finder reported that it was very unlikely negotiations would end the dispute.
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