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Langley moms Stephanie Porter, with her son Will, and Olivia Ireland, with her daughter Julia, are very hopeful classes will start up again in B.C.’s public schools.
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Eager hopes for end to strike Langley parents are optimistic after this week’s breakthrough in B.C.’s public education labour dispute. by Troy Landreville
tlandreville@langleyadvance.com
In the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 16, news broke of a tentative labour deal being reached between the union representing B.C. teachers and the government. And Langley parents were excited about the prospect of school starting up again. The announcement came in at about 4 a.m. of a tentative agreement struck between the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA). Roughly 41,000 teachers across B.C. will be able to vote today, Sept. 18, on the contract. Deanna Davies, mom to Fort Langley Elementary students Jessica, who is about to enter Grade 4, and Kaitlyn, ready to go into Grade 2, hopes the strike is about to end. “I’m thrilled, and they would be, too, because they want to go to school right now,” Davies said. “They want to go to school and they need to be learning. I would forfeit the $80 [compensation] I’m getting [from the B.C. government] to get them back to school, any day. I just want them back in school.” Olivia Ireland has two daughters attending James Kennedy Elementary School. Her old-
home,” she said. “I need to go back to work so I can make money.” Stephanie Porter, whose son Will is a Grade 1 student at Alex Hope Elementary, said she’s “mostly excited for the kids.” She was thrilled with the news of potential labour peace in B.C.’s public education system. “Literally, everyone’s lives have been turned upside down,” she said. “Everyone is scrambling for daycare.” Teachers picketing outside of Dorothy Peacock Elementary on Tuesday were Troy Landreville/Langley Advance reserved in their comments, until they see Teachers like those who picketed Dorothy Peacock what’s on the table. Elementary in Walnut Grove on Tuesday will continue “We’re hopeful – we want to be back at throughout B.C. until a tentative contract deal is ratified. school,” said Dorothy Peacock teacher Kathy est, Chloe, is entering Grade 5 while Julia will Burtman. “We appreciate all the support from CUPE, the community, parents, and other attend Grade 2. unions.” “It was the unknown that’s frustrating,” As for the tentative deal, BC Ireland said. “You can’t plan School Trustees Association ahead.” The Langley School president Teresa Rezansoff She said her oldest daughter called it “wonderful news for is “so bored.” District has not yet the students, teachers, adminAnd Ireland is doing all announced when local istrators, support staff, trustees she can to keep her children schools reopen. and parents in B.C.” engaged. She added, “The immediate Story on page A3 “I’m so tired of entertaining goal is to get students back in my kids,” she said, half jokclasses as quickly as possible. ingly. “As a parent, your life is We must then focus on the critical work of scheduled right down to the last minute.” strengthening our public education system Ireland works at home and has found baland rebuilding trust.” ancing being a mom with her work schedule The BCSTA had two representatives at the difficult. bargaining table. “I can’t get any work done with them at