As teacher talks continue today, poll finds support for two sides tied

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – There are only a few days left before what is supposed to be the start of the new school year and as the dispute between teachers and the government threatens the return to class, a new poll is looking at where you stand.

As the two sides prepare for another day of talks, that poll suggests support for teachers and the government is virtually tied!

Nearly a quarter say they aren’t standing behind either side. But of those who have chosen a side, it’s basically a dead heat: teachers at 36 per cent and the government just a point behind.

That’s a different story from a poll done back in June, which found half supported teachers.

If you have kids in the system, you’ve probably been getting a sense of how easily your family would deal with an ongoing strike. About a third of people asked in the poll say the impact would be “major,” while just over half say it would have an impact, but they’d be able to manage around it.

Twenty per cent said there wouldn’t be much impact on them.

According to Angus Reid, where there is agreement among just about everyone polled is on whether they believe an agreement can be reached by Tuesday.

Eighty-nine per cent say it’s not going to happen.

Now the million-dollar question is how should the dispute be solved. More than a quarter of people say the answer is negotiating at the bargaining table. The same number support arbitration. Nearly 30 per cent think a mediator should be involved, and 16 per cent think teachers should be legislated back to work.

After both sides met with mediator Vince Ready for exploratory talks yesterday, there may be a glimmer of hope: Ready has asked each side to meet with him again today, this time with their bargaining teams.