The Hope
Standard
Figure skating carnival celebrates 35 years of music
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Office: 604.869.2421
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 29, 2012
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FATAL CRASH ON HIGHWAY 1 Alberta truck driver dies in collision near Boston Bar
4 THEATRE GROUP STAGES NEW SHOW Musical raises awareness about women’s issues
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MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS Event showcases short films from around the world
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INSIDE Opinion . .. . . . . . . . . . 6 Community . . . . . 10 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Classifieds . . . . . . .17 $
1.10 (HST INCL.)
KERRIE-ANN SCHOENIT / THE STANDARD
About 40 local teachers rallied for public support on Monday afternoon along Sixth Avenue and Kawkawa Lake Road. The protest was part of a province-wide “day of action” in response to the government’s announcement it would introduce legislation this week to impose a settlement.
Hope teachers join protest BCTF looks to escalate job action in response to legislated contract
Kerrie-Ann Schoenit and Tom Fletcher Black Press
Hope teachers joined a provincewide rally for public support on Monday afternoon. About 200 teachers lined Sixth Avenue and Kawkawa Lake Road with signs explaining the union’s position after months of job action and ongoing clashes with the provincial gov-
ernment. “Teachers are bringing attention to the government’s lack of willingness to negotiate and the threat of an imposed legislated contract,” said Lynne Marvell, president of the Fraser-Cascade Teachers’ Association. “Teachers are determined to improve the learning and teaching conditions in our classrooms and to reverse a decade of cuts imposed by the Liberals.”
As the Labour Relations Board gave B.C. teachers a green light to strike for up to three days next week, Education Minister George Abbott tabled legislation on Tuesday that would suspend all strike action and could impose millions of dollars in fines per day if a strike persists. As the legislature debates the “Education Improvement Act,” the B.C. Teachers’ Federation could legally walk off the job as early as Monday.
Teachers are to complete their own vote on that option today (Wednesday). The LRB ruled Tuesday that teachers can legally strike for up to three consecutive days in one week after two days’ notice, and a further one day in each subsequent week with the same notice. That could continue until the new bill passes the legislature. Abbott said the legislation imContinued on 4
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