Rock Creek Fall Fair Sat & Sun, Sept 13 & 14.
1.10
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COMMUNITY
Rock Creek to be featured in upcoming Global feature.
P5
VOL. 32 Number 36
COMMUNITY
HEALTH
Midway mayor takes the ALS ice bucket challenge.
Community events and increased awareness help reduce the stigma of mental health.
P8
P12
School start delayed by teacher strike CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
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With no settlement between the teachers and the government, parents had to find other options for their children. With renowned negotiator Vince Ready on hand and both sides meeting for long hours, it was hoped a settlement could be made before school started, unfortunately the sides were too far apart. Teacher’s began limited job action last March before escalating to a full-blown walk-out in June, just before final exams. Key issues in the contract dispute are wages, class composition and class size. In a press release on Aug. 30, Peter Fassbender, minister of education, stated, “Today veteran labour mediator Vince Ready “When your child is born and you imagine all their firsts – this is not what I imagined for my child’s first day of Kinderdetermined that the parties are garten,” said Malayna Gross – Grade 2-3 teacher at Midway Elementary School and parent whose son was scheduled too far apart for mediation at to start school on Tuesday. Photo: Pat Kelly this time. I’m very disappointed for students, parents and teachthe government is not prepared to find a fair setLocal teacher David Dunnet said the strike ers. What should be a time of excitement and an- tlement that will get BC’s students and teachers has been tough on teachers but is necessary. ticipation will instead be marked by frustration back in classrooms. The BCTF team tried to kick Dunnet, a math and science teacher at Grand and uncertainty.” start meaningful talks by dropping some propos- Forks Secondary School, has three school-aged Fassbender went on to say he couldn’t see any als entirely and reducing others substantially. In children. On Saturday, he wrote a letter to MLA quick or easy solutions, and wouldn’t know when total, our moves today reduced our package by Linda Larson: school would return. $125 million. Unfortunately, the government did “I am writing today to share my disappoint“Everything we’ve tried to do was to have not indicate they were willing to make any mean- ment with you. I live in Grand Forks and have schools open on time and to reach a settlement,” ingful moves in return.” three children who should be starting school on he said. “Unfortunately, the BCTF leadership has Iker also added that what the government ne- Tuesday. For my youngest son it was to be his first stubbornly refused every effort to reach a fair gotiators are insisting for at the bargaining table day of Kindergarten. He is very excited to finally deal and they have even refused to give teachers would undo any future court decision. be going to ‘big kids school.’ However, instead of a chance to vote on suspending the pickets while “Does the government really expect the teach- putting on his backpack and walking to school an agreement is mediated.” ers to bargain away everything the BC Supreme with his older brother and sister for the first time Fassbender added that the government is not Court has already awarded us? And what future he will be playing at home.” interested in legislating an end to the dispute. decisions might bring?” Dunnet then asks Larson, “why does your In a BCTF press release sent out on the same Teachers across the province returned to the government continue to stonewall in the negoday, president Jim Iker said, “After two days of picket lines last week and are set to continue until tiation with the teachers. You have lost twice in work with Vince Ready, it has become clear that there is a settlement. • See STRIKE page A3
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