Having an outsider monitoring these negotiations is a step in solving the impass. I don’t think Vince Ready is the impartial mediator he was 30 years ago. I think he has become part of the1% after being a sought after mediator in the past.

A mediator’s talent is to bring the two party’s positions closer to each other and make a win-win deal. The Province needs to increase the salary of teachers and the teachers need to lower the expected rate of their salary increases for a deal to work out.

Mediation will not succeed if one party negotiates in bad faith and tries to deceive the other party. Unfortunately in an academic environment when a student sees that his teachers do not respect the rules and they cheat the system (or are cheated by the system), he will do the same and then when he is caught cheating (e.g. by IEEE), we ask ourselves who taught him to cheat and break the rules? IMHO Education of kids does not stop at classroom.

Well said. Hope the BCTF wakes up.

It’s doubtful, grizzly1, but one can hope.

Speaking of Mr. Ready, is he mentoring anyone to take his place when he retires? It seems like he’s the only trusted mediator in Canada.

Exactly! Maybe the government will wake up!

We pick on the BCTF a lot, it’s so easy!

Funny thing is, I was reading earlier today about the situation in Ontario. Seems the Ontario Teachers Federation isn’t getting along with the Kathleen Wynne Liberal Government of Ontario, a Government that the Teachers Federation played a large role in getting re-elected!

Seems like the BCTF isn’t the only group of whiners!

Prof, what? You talking about the uni?

In BC, ON … . Same problems in schools and university negotiations. These politicians in government and university administration folks (with their lawyers) are the product of Canadian education system and someone in the system, somewhere in the education system should teach the students and future administrators how to negotiate fairly.

prof states; “Unfortunately in an academic environment when a student sees that his teachers do not respect the rules and they cheat the system…”

Yeah, twice the BC government has been told by the courts that their legislation, with respect to teacher contracts and bargaining, is illegal and unconstitutional. So who is setting the bad example for students here?

But but but, isn’t Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario Liberals just a litttttle bit Left of Centre??

Hmmm, teachers can’t reach a contract with a left of centre Government. Who do the Ontario Liberals think they are? BC Liberals??

Speaking of problems with Left Wing or Left of Centre political parties, it would seem that our Federal NDP Government got caught with their hands in the cookie jar and have been ordered to pay back lots and lots of moola!

So where is the outrage from our left of centre commentators here? Misappropriation of Taxpayer dollars! Stripping of clauses and benefits in Teachers Contracts. Go Figure!

Throw them all in jail! Somebody needs to go to jail! Oh wait, we better not because the Ontario Liberals problems with their teachers and the Federal NDP’s improper spending problems must be Christy and Harper’s fault, right??

Haha, do I sound like someone else on this site??

The deafening silence you now hear is because Peeps is choking on the warm milk that his mommy brought down to him in the basement to help him sleep!

God forbid that this might not actually be Christy and Harpers fault, eh Peeps!!

You just did a surgery on my original sentence and deleted (or [teachers] are cheated by the system).

But the border between teacher and administrator in a university environment is really very fuzzy because the university deans, provosts in universities (negotiating with the union in university) have been represented by the same unions in their early stages in the university and may even teach/supervise students as they act as administrator.

I see what you mean prof, (or teacher are cheated by the system).

For me, it is so easy to take sides in this matter, I side with the ones who do NOT act illegally and unconstitutionally! I side with the teachers, and so do the courts. ;-)

Prof says “The Province needs to increase the salary of teachers and the teachers need to lower the expected rate of their salary increases for a deal to work out”

Based on discussions I have had and what I have read the teachers salary expectations are extremely negotiable… what is less negotiable are working conditions and supports…

In general, I don’t think this varies much from my own or anyone’s circumstances…Of course I would benefit from a salary increase, and I certainly believe it is deserved…but if that is not an option I certainly want to work under the most effective and supported circumstances.

I see now, it is all clear. Only the BCTF is allowed to break the law. (2005)

hart guy give your lips a rest is that all you have to do but bitch moan and whine

For me, it is not easy to take sides in this matter, I’d rather side with the specific issues. Keeping my administration options open ;-)

I hope they settle soon so our tax dollars that were meant for education don’t go towards daycare….

“The latest demand by a delegate at the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) convention, that on snow days, when buses are cancelled, teachers should also not have to show up for work, is a case in point.”(Toronto Sun)
This is a media quote from Ontario, wonder if something like this will wind its way west to BC.

I wonder how many of those flapping their gums about the ‘outrageous behaviour’ of the government to offer $40 per day while school is out of session will refuse the money?

I’m guessing when the rubber hits the road, the gum flappers who are eligible will be right in there signing up for the $40 / day.

Forget about polls, that will be the real test of whether people are truly against the $40. See how many refuse it.

The government has no intention of paying $40 a day per child.This is nothing more than a smoke screen.