B.C. teachers' strike: both sides talking about resuming negotiations
Union and government say they are ready to resume talks after a three week stalemate
After three weeks without talks, both sides in the B.C. teachers' contract dispute are talking again this morning, but only about how they might restart negotiations or mediation.
This morning BCTF president Jim Iker spoke with lead government negotiator Peter Cameron about trying mediation once again.
"It's discussions about how we can move the process forward," said Iker.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender also says the government is ready to resume talks, but maintains that mediation can't work until teachers move into the government's "affordability zone".
Thus far two mediators have rejected offers to become involved in the dispute, saying both sides are too far apart for mediation to succeed, and the only provincially-appointed facilitator has stepped down citing a lack of faith from the BCTF.
There has already been much speculation that the dispute will not be settled when public schools are scheduled to start classes again on Sept 2.