Kamloops
Teachers vote yes, school back in session next week
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The teachers vote is in and school will be back in session next week. A total of 75 per cent of teachers cast ballots Thursday with more than 27,000 voting to accept the agreement. The number of teachers voting was up significantly from ratification votes in 2006 and 2012 and on par with...
What Monday will look like for back to school
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Schools across the province are set to reopen to students Monday now that the provincial government and teachers have successfully negotiated a new contract. Many districts are adopting ‘normal opening day procedures’ for Monday, Sept. 22 and here is a breakdown of what you can expect in each district. Individual schools may adopt...
The agreement that got teachers back to school
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Teachers agreed to a new contract with the government after more than 18 months of negotiations and while not all the details have been released a picture of the deal is starting to emerge. Negotiations began in February 2013 and by the end of the school year the contract expired. Negotiations continued through...
Teachers’ union has plan to get school back in session
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Just two days after saying the union would not consider a vote to suspend the current strike Jim Iker, the teachers’ union president, says they would recommend members vote to suspend the strike if the government is willing to agree to binding arbitration. The B.C. Teachers’ Federation president says this is another option...
Fassbender not a fan of binding arbitration
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The education minister was not willing to say no to a proposal put forward by the teachers’ union this morning, but he did go as far as saying he is not a fan of binding arbitration. During a press conference this afternoon, Peter Fassbender said binding arbitration takes away the responsibility of the...
No school, no extra-curricular activities
KAMLOOPS - With teachers on strike it is more than classroom eduction suffering, many extra-curricular activities, likes Girl Guides, preschool and sports, are being left out in the cold. School District 73 Supt. Karl de Bruijn says pretty much all program rentals are on hold right now. “We have no way of cleaning or locking...
Teachers’ union continues push for binding arbitration
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Even after the B.C. government said no to binding arbitration this weekend, the teachers’ union won't give up hope. The union feels arbitration could end the strike and get its members a fair settlement. “Binding arbitration is a fair, practical and pragmatic approach,” B.C. Teachers’ Federation President Jim Iker said Monday morning at...
UPDATE: General strike in support of teachers put on hold
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Plans to call for a general strike beginning Wednesday have been put on hold while B.C. residents wait for the results of a teachers' union vote on suspending the strike and whether the government will agree to binding arbitration. A group of concerned citizens originally planned a three-day general strike to begin Wednesday...
Where to get your New Year’s Eve party on in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - Whether you’re looking for family fun or a chance to cut loose, there’s a party for everyone in Kamloops. Here are some different options with prices for you to take a look at. - The Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre in Aberdeen offers a dinner buffet with wine, party favours and champagne...
Local business owner to run for city council position
KAMLOOPS – Local resident Bob Dieno announced he is “throwing his hat into the political ring” by running for a spot on Kamloops city council. Dieno is the owner of Nutech Fire and Safety, a business which specializes in protection equipment. To focus on his political run, he has taken a leave of absence from...
Biologist announces bid for a seat on council
KAMLOOPS – Scientist, health professional and mother-of-three Cheryl Phippen has announced her run for a spot on Kamloops City Council. Fiscal responsibility, city improvements, open communication for the public, removal of “antiquated” dog by-laws in public spaces and an environmentalist approach to Ajax are Phippen’s key platform issues. If elected, she plans to change council’s...
Be leery of this email targeting education support payments
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Parents looking to get the $40-per-day temporary education support payment promised by the government during the B.C. teachers’ strike are advised to be aware of a fraudulent email which includes a link to a false Canada Revenue Agency website. A Maple Ridge woman contacted the RCMP after receiving an email which linked to a site...
Election 2014: Councillors could be chosen out of a hat
KAMLOOPS - Council members were fighting during Tuesday's meeting as if their seats are already on the line while discussing possible changes to the election bylaw for 2014. And the general election — when eight city councillors and a mayor will be chosen — is still almost five months away. Several changes were recommended by...
All council members set to run for reelection
KAMLOOPS - With Coun. Nelly Dever officially announcing to run for council again, only one seat will be vacant heading into the 2014 civic elections. The announcements began a few months ago but Dever waited until the final moment to announce her intention. “I’ve had a fantastic first term,” Dever said Tuesday afternoon. “I was...
Labour council president running for city council
KAMLOOPS - The current president of the Kamloops and District Labour Council is the latest to announce his intention to run in the upcoming municipal election. Peter Kerek has been the president of the council since 2011 and earlier this week he used social media to announce his intention to run. The Kamloops Transit employee...