B.C. parents’ group may consider pressure tactics during teachers’ dispute

RICHMOND, B.C. – The head of a parents’ group representing schools across B.C. says members are so frustrated with the teachers’ strike that they’re considering their own pressure tactics to end the dispute.

Terry Berting of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils says the group will meet on the weekend to discuss how they can approach the government and the teachers’ union to negotiate a deal.

Berting says parents want to take the high road but they’re embarrassed by the ongoing acrimony that’s become part of the provincial education system.

More than 100 parents on advisory councils from around the province gathered Friday for their annual general meeting, which started with an hour-long keynote address by Education Minister Peter Fassbender.

He said the government is willing to stay at the bargaining table throughout the summer if a deal is not reached by the end of June.

Parent Orra Storkan says she doesn’t feel much sympathy for teachers who are demanding a 13.7 per cent pay hike over four years while the government is offering them 7.3 per cent over six years.