Teachers' vote on tentative deal

The longest school disruption in BC history could end Thursday.

As teachers make their way to vote either to approve or deny the tentative six-year deal reached between the province and BC Teachers Federation, some teachers have spoken out against the deal.

NDP Education Critic Rob Fleming says the decision is up to teachers alone, and has no opinion if it’s in their best interest.

“But what I will say is that parents owe a debt of thanks and have shown their support for teachers for taking a stand for kids when teachers said their number one priority is to improve classroom learning conditions for our kids, they proved it, because that’s where most of the progress is in the package they will be voting on,” he says.

Fleming says the looming supreme court case on class composition still creates a lot of uncertainty about the dispute.

“I applaud teachers for taking a stand on improving classroom learning conditions and focusing so much public attention on what people’s aspirations are for public education and what the impacts for cuts have been in various school districts in funding changes by the province,” he says.

He acknowledges that teachers are voting to see some improvement in class conditions, because if the deal is approved, one of the conditions sees additional teachers hired every year.

The deal also features a means to address court disputes, as well as an updated medical and dental plan.