Dysfunctional Relationship Between BC Teachers and Government Declared Over

B.C. Premier Christy Clark. (Photo Credit: BC Liberal Party)

B.C. Premier Christy Clark declared that the 30-year dysfunctional relationship between B.C.'s teachers and the government is now over.

In a press conference with Minister of Education Peter Fassbender on Tuesday, Clark announced that a historic six year agreement had been made that morning. “This has never been done before in B.C.,” Clark said, and she claimed that it would allow for five years of peace to discuss issues rather than constant bargaining.

Although the full details were not disclosed because the B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) still has to show the agreement to the teachers, the premier claimed that the teachers had received a fair increase. Additionally, the province will not have a deficit, have to go into debt, or raise taxes to pay it. There is also apparently improved class size and composition in the new deal as well as more teacher's aids.

Bargaining team and BCTF table officers at #bced negotiations Friday through early Tuesday morning. | #bcpoli #canlab pic.twitter.com/whYYGrJtIQ

— BCTF (@bctf) September 16, 2014

Clark said that students could be back in school as early as Monday. When asked how the students would be able to make up the lost time, Fassbender said that the ministry has been making plans with school superintendents and trustees. These plans will be announced once the deal has been ratified by the teachers, and Fassbender guaranteed that the student's education “will be kept whole”.

Responding to reports that money promised to the school districts is being taken back, Fassbender said that the government is working to find what the labour dispute's real impact on the district was. He claimed that the previous “formula” won't necessarily apply to the current situation and that they're working on a cooperative solution with the districts.

The B.C. government's court case will continue according to Clark, and she said that part of the agreement allows the government to settle outstanding grievances.

The tentative deal was reached after nearly five days of marathon talks that ended at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday morning. Teachers will vote on whether to ratify the deal on Thursday.