B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender says the government and the teachers’ union are not “even close” to a deal but now …..the provincial government has agreed to accept Vince Ready as mediator.
The B.C. Teachers’ Federation has been calling for Ready’s appointment since Thursday, saying he is the only hope for a timely solution as there had been no progress in the last two days of bargaining.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender says the teachers’ demands are not ‘affordable’ or ‘realistic.’
Ready, the veteran mediator, is away and it’s still unclear whether he is willing to accept an appointment. The government and the BCTF would also need to work out his terms of reference.
The provincial government claims the union’s latest proposal equates to double the cost of the average public sector contract in combined wages, benefits and signing bonus.
