The BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) said last weekend’s bargaining was a “step backward,” which is why teachers are still on strike.
President Jim Iker said they reduced their salary proposal to eight per cent over five years, which came to within one per cent of the government’s offer of seven.
Teachers also proposed two funds for the Liberals to address class size, composition and more specialist teachers. But the government countered with a “fact-finding” committee to look at these issues.
“A committee will not reduce class sizes,” Iker said during a media conference on Monday.
He noted the BCTF was very disappointed in bargaining talks last weekend, a weekend that everyone hoped would have resolved the strike.
Iker told the media that a full strike was imminent, adding that the BCTF executive would meet today (June 16) to discuss its options.
