WEDNESDAY
PEDAL POWER
SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
Abbotsford BMX hosts major races A16
your life
A B B O T S F O R D Online all the time. In print Wednesday & Friday.
your community.
twitter.com/abbynews facebook.com/myabbynews
abbynews.com m
Opening of public classes strikes out Mediation fails, teachers’ union and government cast blame Tyler OLSEN and Alex BUTLER Abbotsford News
SIKH EVENT CELEBRATED
Binders remained closed and new shoes were left unscuffed as the ongoing teachers’ strike forced the cancellation of the first day of classes at public schools across Abbotsford. With exploratory negotiations having broke down Saturday between the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and the province, teachers picketed local schools Tuesday. While the province says the BCTF’s demands are unaffordable, local teachers say they’re sacrificing their wages to demand smaller classes for students. “I’m doing this for my kids,” said Yale secondary math teacher Tom van Hunenstijn. “It’s a long-term view that has a short-term cost.” Robert Bateman secondary science teacher Sarah Bacon echoed those thoughts. “We’re giving up our pay to stand up for kids,” she said. Teachers said the ongoing strike cast a pall over recent weeks, as the normal excitement for the coming school year was replaced with uncertainty and anger. “Usually we’re all pretty excited coming back, and this year just didn’t have that same feeling,” said Sandy Hill elementary physical education teacher Kevin Chesney. “I’d rather be in school, but the government sees it a different way.” There had been optimism Friday evening as both sides sat down for long talks with mediator Vince Ready. But he abandoned the negotiations the next day, declaring that the two sides were still too far apart for mediation to be productive. While Ready said the teachers and the province were too far apart on both wages and benefits, BCTF president Jim Iker said the two sides were close on wages. The government offer is seven per cent over six years, while the union wants eight per Continued on A3
A5 Thousands turn out for annual parade in west Abbotsford
BIG TICKET CONTEST A13 Abbotsford Centre will give away two tickets to every event for a full year
SELF-GUIDED ART TOUR A14 Local venues have an opportunity to shine for art lovers on Sept. 13
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A11
Q
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A15
Q Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A10 Q
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A22
85¢ TYLER OLSEN Abbotsford News
Sandy Hill elementary school teacher Kevin Chesney and a colleague picket outside school Tuesday morning.
SCRAP METAL! $
Q
Your One Stop Recycling Shop
750 Riverside Rd., Abbotsford
604.852.9152