FRIDAY
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February 24, 2012
A division of
Vol. 27 No. 16
COMOX VALLEY RECORD Your community. Your newspaper. www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
Victoria preparing to end BCTF strike
PIC OF THE WEEK
Renée Andor
Bob Dugas took our first Picture of the Week. ■ A31
HOOPS HERITAGE
According to Stanley, the BCTF requested an independent mediaRecord Staff tor from the Labour Relations Teachers will, “in all likeli- Board late last week to help move hood,” be legislated back to work, negotiations along. according to Education Minister However, he said BCPSEA has George Abbott. to agree to a mediator as well, “We are in the position in which which has not happened yet. we have been in far too many Stanley said if teachers are times over the last 30 years and legislated back to work with no that is, we are not going to see agreement reached, the distance this, in all likelihood, resolved between the two parties will through collective widen. bargaining process“If the governIf the governes and we will, in all ment legislates likelihood, have to ment legislates some- something, that’s step in as a governmore likely to push thing, that’s more ment and attain a things further legislated solution,” likely to push things apart,” said StanAbbott said Thurs- further apart. It ley, adding that he day, adding that would significantly is concerned some teacher job action, teachers could which has been impact the teaching become more frusgoing on since Sep- profession and our trated or angry, or tember, is affecting relationship with our could change their students. attitudes towards “I am not pre- principals and with work. pared to let this go our colleagues. “It would signifion any further.” cantly impact the Steve Stanley According to teaching profession Abbott, his staff will and our relationstart drafting legislation over the ship with our principals and with weekend with a goal of sending a our colleagues.” recommendation to government Teachers are planning a Day next week. of Action for Monday, which for His announcement was made the Comox Valley, will include a directly after fact-finder Trev- bell-to-bell day, union meetings at or Hughes released his report lunch, and a larger union meeting saying a negotiated settlement for all School District 71 teachers between the BC Teachers’ Fed- after work. eration (BCTF) and BC Public He also said there could be School Employers’ Association some sort of “respectful” rally out(BCPSEA) is “very unlikely.” side one of the schools or the Hughes is Labour Minister Board of Education office after Margaret MacDiarmid’s assis- classes are over, but he is unsure tant deputy minister, and he was at this point. appointed by her after Abbott “There’s a lot going on that we requested a fact-finder a couple of need to talk about so it’s basically weeks ago. just an informational session, and According to Comox District trying to get a feel for how our Teachers’ Association (CDTA) members, how willing they are president Steve Stanley, teach- to increase job action, or do they ers have some “skepticism” about want to keep it the same way, or the fairness of a “government how will we respond,” explained insider reporting back on what Stanley. the government is doing.” But, Teacher contract negotiations Stanley acknowledged that the have been going on for about a report appears “thorough” and year, with 78 sessions so far. writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com “detailed.”
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Four of the Comox Valley’s top basketball players at the university level are heading into their respective playoffs Feb. 24-25 and March 1-3. “We can be proud that the basketball heritage we have here in Courtenay and Comox continues with stellar play by Ryan MacKinnon (Highland), Calvin Westbrook (G.P. Vanier), Keenan Milburn (Isfeld) and Tyler Olsen (Isfeld),” said longtime Vanier coach Larry Street.
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A SCENE FROM Iron Man III? Nope. Explosive disposal experts from the Royal Canadian Air Force across Canada are taking part in Exercise Tazz-Runner at 19 Wing Comox. PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Expect some‘popping’ for the next week or so Record Staff Canadian Forces improvised explosive device disposal teams will train in the Comox Valley until March 1. The two week-long training opportunity is designed for members to hone their skills at finding, identifying and neutralizing improvised explosive devices. Capt. Jorge Parra-Martinez, commanding officer of 19 Explosives Ordnance Disposal Flight, said his team is at the base to maintain, improve and share experiences, knowledge and skills with members from
other bases. While much of the training will take place at Canadian Forces Base Comox, exercise participants will also operate at the Seal Bay training area and HMCS Quadra (Goose Spit). Residents in these areas may see increased military activity. Due to the nature of the training activities, residents may also hear the occasional explosion or “popping” noises throughout the day, from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including weekends. 19 Wing thanked residents for their understanding.