VANCOUVER - Education Minister Peter Fassbender addressed media this morning and provided the following statement:

“On Sunday, the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) tabled an affordable, creative and comprehensive package to end the stalemate, get kids back in school and create long-term stability for parents, student and teachers. 

“That comprehensive offer for settlement included the special $1,200 signing bonus for a deal by June 30, an improved wage offer, guaranteed funding for class composition, and bridging provisions to address the court case.

“The comprehensive package is fully in line with the wage increases and affordable agreements already reached by nearly 150,000 public sector workers.  It was not tabled lightly. It was made clear to the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) that we put our best possible offer on the table and it was aimed at concluding this round of bargaining. 

“On Wednesday, the BCTF presented their full set of demands. They filled in their blanks and clarified their positions. And instead of moving us closer, their latest demands moved them further away from the affordability zone for public sector settlements. 

“Their wage and benefit demands alone are more than twice what other unions have settled for. On top of that, they are pushing for hundreds of millions more each year in other contract demands.

“I’m disappointed. We are now further away from an agreement than we were a week ago. We want to give teachers a raise but the BCTF leadership is making that virtually impossible.

“What BCPSEA has offered is already at the very limit of what we can afford. We cannot split the difference. Our government has a fundamental commitment to balance the budget and we have an obligation to deal fairly with all 300,000 B.C. public sector workers. 

“I want to be clear that BCPSEA is not walking away from the table and we remain committed to reaching an agreement by June 30. Nor is government interested in legislating a contract. 

“We appreciate that brings with it the possibility that this strike could go on for quite a while.  How long it will last is entirely up to the BCTF - but any hope of timely resolution will require the BCTF executive to be realistic. 

“We accept that they want to get the best possible deal for their members, but teachers need to understand that the best possible deal is one that lands squarely in the same affordable zone as the settlements government has already reached with other public sector unions.

“The government and BCPSEA remain committed to working with the BCTF achieve the best possible deal for teachers - while keeping it fair for other workers and affordable for taxpayers.” 

(flickr.com)

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963