Thirteen B.C. union leaders wrote Premier Christy Clark on Tuesday urging the government to accept the B.C. Teachers’ Federation proposal to end the impasse with binding arbitration, emphasizing that politicians should stop pointing to the financial framework within their unions’ collective agreements as the obstacle to getting a deal.

The unions represent some 350,000 public sector workers, half of whom the government says already settled within its target range for wages and benefits.

The union for BC Hydro workers this week asked its membership to set aside $100,000 in collateral from its reserves so the BCTF can secure a loan, while the B.C. Federation of Labour is planning to announce its own financial help on Wednesday.

“No one is going to get rich off this strike. No one,” said Gwenne Farrell, vice-president of Local 378 of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union.

“The teachers especially — it’s really quite the opposite. What we can do, though, is if we support the teachers that are striking we can help at least offset some of that financial hardship.”

Canadian Press