While Minister of Education Peter Fassbender addressed media regarding the teacher dispute, Smithers teachers gathered at a rally on Main Street.
At a media conference this morning Fassbender announced the two sides are no closer to reaching a deal and the BCTF needs to “come into the affordability zone.”
“If we are going to get an agreement the BCTF has to become realistic. I say to every teacher…we are not even close in where we need to be in order to get a negotiated agreement.”
Fassbender says the offer from the province is the most they can give and it’s now up to the BCTF how long the strike drags on.
At a teacher rally in Smithers today local rep, Karin Bachman read a press release from the BCTF calling for a mediator to help with the failing negotiations.
“B.C. teachers have put forward a fair and reasonable framework for a deal that would see improved learning conditions for students on the first school day in September. However, two more days of bargaining have gone by…with no progress or counter offers from government and BCPC. So at this point the best way to get a deal is through mediation.”