BC teachers vote overwhelmingly in favour of binding arbitration

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Teachers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of going back to class if the province agrees to binding arbitration.

A total of 30,490 teachers – 99.4% – voted yes.

The province has twice rejected binding arbitration, instead calling for a negotiated settlement.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender says binding arbitration would lead to unacceptable tax increases in this case.

“That’s because the two sides remain too far apart on wages and benefits,” he says. “The best way to resolve this labour dispute remains at the negotiating table.”

Social policy professor Michael Prince with the University of Victoria says both the turnout and endorsement are impressive.

“It’s always interesting when any executive of any trade union makes a policy statement a little ahead of its membership and then goes to the members to poll them as to whether they actually agree with what their leadership has been saying and doing.”

Premier Christy Clark felt the heat of the dispute today as she tried to speak at a Maple Ridge event where teachers stood outside and chanted, drowning out the premier.

BCTF president Jim Iker’s announcement of the results of the vote on binding arbitration:

Good evening,

To our members: Thank you for your determination, solidarity, and support. You are amazing!

Tonight, BC teachers voted overwhelmingly to back the call for binding arbitration that would see an end to the strike and open schools.

In all, 30,669 teachers cast ballots.

A total of 30,490 teachers – 99.4% – voted yes.

Tomorrow morning, custodial staff could be pulling chairs off desks and teachers could be setting up their classrooms.

School counsellors could be finalizing time tables.

Teachers could be powering up the smartboards.

Classes could start this week. Children could be learning.

Unfortunately tonight, there is a single group of people standing in the way of schools opening their doors tomorrow.

The BC Liberal government’s refusal to accept binding arbitration is now the only reason children won’t be back in class.

Every single one of those MLAs must ask themselves what is the real reason they are keeping schools closed.

Their refusal is certainly not in the best interests of students or the province.

Binding arbitration is a fair, workable, and pragmatic plan to open schools and get children back into classrooms with their teachers.

It is a standard labour relations practice that allows an independent third party to assess the proposals from both sides and implement a fair settlement.

We know the government has rejected the idea, but they are the only ones.

Teachers, students, parents, mayors, school boards, legal experts, union leaders, editorial boards – British Columbians across the province have called for binding arbitration.

This government is alone in its stance.

BC Teachers have led the way for 18 months proposing solutions and moving negotiations forward.

This government has said no to arbitration, has tried to stall and block mediation, and has not moved on any monetary proposals in negotiations since June. Not one new dollar to deal with the learning needs of our students.

If we are going to get a deal and get schools open, the government must show some good faith.

Arbitrate, mediate, or negotiate. It’s time to put public education first.

Drop E80, stop trying to protect yourself from the courts, and let’s work together to reach a fair deal that improves funding for schools and support for all our students.