Majority of B.C. teachers vote against government interference in bargaining

VANCOUVER – The BC Teachers Federation says 96 per cent of members who were polled by the union recently are backing the position taken by their contract-negotiating team.

But fewer than 22,000 of the federation’s 44,000 members actually cast ballots between Wednesday and Friday.

Outgoing BCTF President Susan Lambert says teachers want long-term stability, a fair deal, better support for students, and negotiations that have been underway since February to continue.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender suspended talks last week between public school teachers and the government’s negotiating arm.

Fassbender revoked the mandate of the BC Public School Employers’ Association, and replaced it with a single negotiator whose goal is to secure a 10-year-deal with teachers.

The current teacher contract expires on June 30, and Fassbender has repeatedly stated the government earned a mandate to secure a 10-year deal by winning the May 14th election.