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teacher strike
Teachers asked to ‘voluntarily stand down’
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - In an effort to get negotiations moving, Education Minister Peter Fassbender met with the lead negotiators today and asked teachers to ‘voluntarily stand down and let classes start while the parties are in mediation.’ Fassbender met with B.C. Teachers’ Federation President Jim Iker and B.C. Public School Employers’ Association representative Peter Cameron Wednesday...
Public meeting will focus on teacher strike, proposed Lavington plant
VERNON - A special meeting set for tonight will focus on two topics that have been in the news lately: The teacher strike and a proposed pellet plant in Lavington. The special meeting, called specifically by the school district to address the two issues, starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the board office on 15...
Kamloops teachers back to picket lines
KAMLOOPS - The pickets are back up as we close in on the last week of summer break, and with that the hope of being able to start school on time is dwindling. After a break over the summer, teachers hit the pavement again Monday and plan to be there every day until a deal...
Vernon teachers to escalate pressure this week
VERNON - Vernon teachers plan to intensify pressure on local and provincial government in the coming days. With school supposed to start next week and no deal reached with the province, the Vernon Teachers Association will picket outside the school board office Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week to push Premier Christy Clark, Education...
Options for back to school as strike continues
KAMLOOPS - As of Friday morning, B.C. teachers are still on strike and with only three weeks before back to school it’s time to start planning for what to do with your kids if a deal cannot be made before Sept. 2. Monica van der Meulen of the YMCA says the local group will be...
Teachers union, province too far apart for mediation
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The teacher’s union and the province are too far apart for mediation to be productive, a potential mediator has decided, and the union is blaming the province. B.C. Teacher’s Federation President Jim Iker says exploratory discussions with B.C. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kelleher and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association saw the government...
Summer programs at risk
KAMLOOPS - Not only are summer school programs at risk due to the ongoing teacher strike action but now summer programs held on school property are also at risk. The B.C. Teacher’s Federation announced this week teachers would picket outside of schools hosting summer school programs if a deal is not reached by June 30....
VIDEO: ‘Our Voice Our Teachers’
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Two independent film makers under the name TNT Creation have joined the political battle in support of teachers this week with a video showcasing why and how Kamloops residents support B.C. teachers. The video, shot over two days, features Timo Sargent in front of the camera and Tim Unaegbu behind it. In a...
Summer school will be picketed if no deal reached this week
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The teacher collective agreement will be discussed by both sides at a meeting today but the union president says teachers have agreed to strike through the summer if needed. “Mediation is the only way to bridge the gap between the two sides,” Jim Iker says. “(If no agreement is made) teachers will extend...
STAHN: Who the strike is really hurting
‘This is not the way I wanted it to end.’ It’s a line I heard over and over again during the teacher strike. It’s applicable to both retiring teachers and the students who saw their school year end with less than 24 hours notice. Many of the students, abruptly told last Thursday would be their...
Teachers unpaid during strike
FUND HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - With salaries cut back during the strike and a fund normally used to cover teachers during strike action exhausted, local teacher associations are now setting up hardship funds for those needing help. “There is a slight fund but it’s exhausted. It’s the same fund we used to fight class...
What the strike means for Kamloops students
KAMLOOPS - We know there is no school while teachers engage in a full strike but what does that mean for report cards, year end dances and items the could not be cleared out of desks and lockers in time? Grade 10-12 students will complete exams as scheduled beginning tomorrow but only Grade 12 students...
School doors not completely closed as teachers walk the picket line
PENTICTON - Schools have not completely shut down, despite the wall of teachers picketing the front lines. Teachers and administrators are not trying to prevent students from entering the schools at all; students needing to clean out their lockers, if they haven’t already done so, can come by their school and collect their things. Administrators...
Kelowna camps and clubs expand offerings during strike
KELOWNA – With teacher job action escalating to full strike next week, several local organizations have added programs and extended hours to help parents out. The H2O Centre will open their slides and other attractions at noon instead of 4 p.m. starting Monday, and general manager Cory Krist says they have also instituted morning and...
Child care programs filling up fast upon full strike notice
VERNON - At least one Vernon child care organization is filling up fast following the announcement of a full teacher strike. The North Okanagan Child Care Society is expanding its programs next week to give parents a safe place to put their children while school is out. Executive director Hollie Henderson says full day camps, typically...
IN PHOTOS: Teacher rally draws hundreds
KAMLOOPS - By the time noon hour was over more than 300 people had gathered at the foot of the Overlanders Bridge to show support for teachers and hundreds more showed support by honking and waving as they drove by. Kamloops Thompson Teacher's Association President Jason Karpuk says while not surprised, he was happy with...
Okanagan youth conflicted on provincial student walkout
OKANAGAN - As teachers strike in shifts across the province this week, it appears students have found a day to voice their own opinions. The B.C. Student Walkout for Students, launched by Surrey teen Victoria Barker, is set for Wednesday, the only day this week not scheduled to have strike action. A Facebook group created...
A student’s thoughts on the teacher strike
“I AM SCARED TO ENTER A PROFESSION HATED BY THE PUBLIC” SALMON ARM - An anonymous high school student in Salmon Arm has a message for teachers. “What I want to say to each and every one of you is that I appreciate you and everything you do for your students,” wrote the grade 12...
District track meet cancelled amid strike action
KAMLOOPS — When it was announced teachers were moving on to strike action the Kamloops-Thompson School District moved the district track meet up a day so it could still go ahead. Sunday evening it was announced the track meet is now cancelled. The B.C. Teachers’ Federation announced teachers would take level one job action back...