BCTF President Jim Iker to step down at end of school year
Replacement to be elected at 100th annual general meeting in Vancouver
Well recognized for his role in the 2014 B.C. teachers' strike and his flowing mane of hair, B.C. Teachers' Federation President Jim Iker will step down in June after serving as the union's head for the past three years.
"I can’t thank you all enough for your support, encouragement, and solidarity over the years," Jim Iker to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCTF2016?src=hash">#BCTF2016</a>, His last as president
—@bctfHis replacement will be elected on Monday at the 100th annual general meeting of the BCTF in Vancouver.
So far the only candidate running is Glen Hansman, a Vancouver teacher and 1st Vice-President of the BCTF.
On Sunday, 700 teachers from across the province celebrated the union's centennial at the AGM, which runs from March 12-15.
Iker's term was defined by a five-week strike in 2014 that delayed students from returning to school in September of that year and an on-going court battle over class size bargaining rights.
- B.C. teachers' strike is over: 86% vote 'yes' to accept deal
- B.C. teachers lose latest court fight on class size, composition
- BCTF pleased with Supreme Court decision to hear appeal
BCTF presidents typically serve three one-year terms and this is Iker's third and final year, following six years as a vice-president.
Iker will continue as an executive committee member for a year.
"It's all of us together that makes us strong" says Jim Iker <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCTF2016?src=hash">#BCTF2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bctf">@bctf</a> <a href="https://t.co/y5VTzBWKkp">pic.twitter.com/y5VTzBWKkp</a>
—@unitedstrong