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School board and local union officials agree that a legislated solution to the job action is not the right course for the government to follow; teachers hold rally outside Hume Elementary on Monday afternoon to bolster support
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The Tall Man still not cometh to screens See Page 4
Tension rises in teachers’ strike
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Vol. • Issue
GREG NESTEROFF Nelson Star Reporter
Two local voices on opposite sides of the ongoing teachers’ strike agree they would like to try mediation before a settlement is imposed.
“Our board believes legislation is not the answer. Having a negotiated agreement is the best for both parties.” Mel Joy SD#8 Board Chair
Both Mel Joy, chair of the Kootenay Lake School Board, and Tom Newell, president of the Nelson District Teachers Association, want to see talks resume with a third party, even though the dispute has already dragged on for months. “Our board believes legislation is not the answer,” says Joy, who also chairs the BC Public School Employers’ Association, the provincial bargaining agent. “Having a negotiated agreement is the best for both parties.”
Last week, Education Minister George Abbott announced the government would impose a settlement after a fact finder concluded the sides were so far apart a negotiated resolution was highly unlikely. The legislation is expected to be introduced this week. However, Joy says it does nothing to help find a long-term solution. Over the weekend, the BC School Trustees Association passed a motion urging the government to appoint an expedited mediator. The BC Teachers’ Federation has already asked for mediation. Joy says she wasn’t surprised the fact-finder believed the sides have a long way to go, but didn’t expect the government to move so quickly to end the dispute. “We were surprised the announcement came from the minister right after the report came out,” Joy says. “On the other hand, the strike has been in place since September. It’s not like we haven’t been working towards a solution.” Newell, meanwhile, says he was gratified the report
Bob Hall photos
Nelson area teachers joined in a provincial day of action on Monday afternoon. Almost 100 teachers showed up at 3:30 p.m. in front of Hume Elementary School, holding signs and receiving plenty of honks from passing motorists. Nelson District Teachers Association president Tom Newell (top right) got on the bullhorn to update union members on the latest developments and provide directions for this week’s vote.
Story continues to ‘Newell’ on Page 15
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