On Thursday afternoon, the BC Teachers' Federation provided NOTICE OF STRIKE ACTION to begin on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. The BCTF has been in contract negotiations with the BC Public Schools Employers' Association and the parties have been unable to reach an agreement on salary increases, class size limits and other items.
We need to inform parents and students that in Phase 1, schools will be in session. Action will be administrative and will not affect the classroom directly. Teachers will issue report cards and may be involved in extracurricular activities if they choose to do so. However, teachers will not be involved in supervision of students before school, at recess or after school. Where required, District staff will provide supervision at this time. Teachers will not be available for work-related duties beyond one hour before and one hour after school.
If the BCTF provides notice of Phase 2, we may see rotating strike action around the province, with full withdrawal of service and school closures. Please check this website, and the School District website, for information and updates.
We remain hopeful that the parties will resolve differences as soon as possible in order to minimize disruption to schools and the education of students in SD63 and elsewhere.
Nancy Macdonald, Superintendent of Schools, Saanich School District