In School District #53 –  teachers will be leaving school for the year. Rotating strike Friday, study session Monday and a sustained strike starting Tuesday ( they are also selectively locked out with a pay cut)

There was picketing on the lock out issue at a number of schools in BC today.

Public school students in British Columbia won’t return to class next week, unless the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the government reach a contract agreement by Sunday.

BCTF told its members in a letter on Wednesday night that it will serve notice on Thursday morning of a full-scale strike beginning next Tuesday, one day after 86 per cent voted in favour of escalating job action.

In the letter, the union confirmed it will also designate Monday as a study session day throughout the province, meaning teachers would spend the day meeting with union representatives — making this Friday the last day of the school year.

For schools where ongoing, rotating strike action is taking place this Friday, the last day of school would be today (Thursday).

Despite the pending strike action, Iker said negotiations will continue with the government over the weekend in an attempt to reach a deal.

“We believe that the combined actions of bargaining hard and the solidarity of standing together are the key ingredients needed to get a deal that works for teachers and for our students before June 30 and hopefully sooner,” said the letter.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender said he wasn’t surprised by the vote in favour of a strike by B.C. teachers.

“Please know that both parties are currently involved in discussions,” the letter continued. “Our intention is to bargain non-stop throughout the weekend.

“We believe that a small, but important window to negotiate a fair deal exists and we want to take every opportunity to get that deal.”

However, the letter says, the situation is fluid and members should take personal items they will need during the summer home with them this week.