Talks continue
Talks continued between the BC government and school support workers this week, with both sides trying to stave off a disruptive strike.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 476 president Daphne Ross was unable to comment officially about talks while the parties were at the table, but she was optimistic about being back.
The union is looking for a four per cent wage increase over two years. Talks ended August 13 when a sectorial savings plan was not created to find additional money in school districts’ budgets.
Peter Cameron, the province’s chief negotiator, called the support workers back for three days of talks from September 4 to 6 to avert a disruption of classes.
Cameron is also currently negotiating teachers’ contracts with the next round of talks in October.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender said, in a government release September 1, that “We all want to find lasting labour peace because it allows everyone to keep their focus on what matters most: helping every student learn and succeed.”
