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TUESDAY
Tuesday, May 27, 2014 X Volume 27 No. 61
THIS WEEK
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A TALE OF TWO SIDES IN DISPUTE
STRIKING OUT WITH THE KIDS Teachers say they are bargaining for kids With teachers set to walk the picket line on Wednesday, May 28, at least three organizations have stepped up with strike-day activities. ■ The Kamloops Art Gallery is hosting an art camp for two age groups. Students ages four to six will attend between 9 a.m. and noon, while students ages seven to 12 will attend between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cost is $20 per child. Space is limited. Call 250377-2400. ■ Also on Wednesday, Thompson Rivers University McDonald’s Sports Camps is offering a session for students ages six to 12. The camp will take place in the university’s gymnasium between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and costs $35 per child. For more information or to pre-register, call 250-828-5270 or send an e-mail to sportcamp@tru.ca. Registrations will also be taken at the gym on Wednesday. Campers will need to come prepared with a lunch, snacks, sunscreen, hat and appropriate footwear. ■ The Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops in the McArthur Island Youth Centre will also be opening its doors. A daily fee of $25 applies; however, no child is turned away due to inability to pay. A variety of social, recreational activities will be offered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call 250-554-5437 to register.
By Dale Bass STAFF REPORTER dale@kamloopsthisweek.com
The B.C. Teachers’ Federation has prepared an information sheet it will distribute this week during its four days of rotating strikes. Teachers in Kamloops will be on picket lines on Wednesday, May 28. The page, titled Information for parents, guardians and everyone who cares about Public Education in B.C., sets out and answers five questions and explains two statements. One of the questions — What do teachers want? — spells out four items: More one-on-one support for students who need it most and guaranteed levels of specialist teachers; smaller classes so all students can get the individual attention they deserve; time to prepare lessons that engage diverse learning styles; and a reason-
able wage increase that respects teachers’ skills and responsibilities. The information sheet says the last salary increase teachers received was in July 2010 and that the government has offered teachers “two more years of zeroes, while most public-sector workers have received at least cost-of-living raises.” It states teachers are bargaining for students, trying to get better conditions for students, “including giving up salary and benefit improvements.” The information sheet notes the B.C. Supreme Court restored the union’s right to bargain class size and composition, as well as minimum levels of specialist teachers “that were illegally removed in 2002” by the provincial government.
X See BCTF A7
Negotiator says union being ‘insincere’ By Dale Bass STAFF REPORTER dale@kamloopsthisweek.com
PETER CAMERON: Government’s main negotiator with the B.C. Public School Employees Association.
JIM IKER: President of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation.
The government’s main negotiator said the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is being insincere when it points to a move to restrict teachers’ access to schools before and after classes. Peter Cameron said the union’s own first phase of job action included not allowing teachers to be at the worksite earlier than one hour before class began or later than an hour afterward, other than for pre-arranged voluntary activities. “So, we’re talking about 15 minutes,” Cameron said of the government’s phased lockout of the union, which began on Monday, May 25 — the same day rotating strikes began and continue to Thursday, May 29. Cameron criticized BCTF president Jim Iker for pointing to that part of the lock-out — further steps will come into play as the dispute drags on — as the reason class excursions and graduations are in jeopardy. He said the lockout plan may have to be tweaked in coming days, but suggested the BCTF needs to consider how it is defining its own prohibition of extra hours spent at schools. Cameron said he and other negotiators with the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) are not taking direction from Premier Christy Clark and called Iker’s characterization of the employer’s newest pressure tactic as the “Christy Clark lockout” unprofessional and unfair. He acknowledged his team is in contact with the Ministry of Education and consults with it, but said the lockout decision rests with the BCPSEA. Cameron said the plan is seen as the best one to avoid causing any impact on students and their families, while putting pressure on teachers. X See CAMERON A7
District elementary track and field meet cancelled due to labour strife The Kamloops-Thompson school district elementary track and field meet has been cancelled due to the ongoing labour dispute between teachers and government. The annual event sees students advance to the big meet from school and zone competitions. It was set for Wednesday, May 28, but had to be moved due to the teachers’ strike in Kamloops.
The Kamloops-Thompson school district then rescheduled the meet and the 1,500-metre championships for Monday, May 26, and today (Tuesday, May 27). However, in an automated call to parents on Sunday, May 25, school-district Supt. Terry Sullivan said both events had to be cancelled because the district was told by the KamloopsThompson Teachers’ Association that teachers
would not be supervising during recess or noon at Hillside Stadium. “Given the additional duties school and district administration have had to assume since this job action began, we will not be able to provide the supervision levels necessary at these events to ensure the safe supervision of the children involved,” Sullivan said in the phone call. Wednesday’s honours reception will proceed.
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