Rotating walkouts are continuing as part of tactics in the latest round of BC Teachers' Federation job action as it works toward a new contract with the BC Public School Employers Association.
Area school districts are affected as follows by teacher walkouts:
• Monday, June 2 – #20 Kootenay Columbia;
• Tuesday, June 3 – #10 Arrow Lakes
• Thursday, June 5 – #8 Kootenay Lake
High school students in Castlegar rallied on May 30 in support of their teachers. One student, Mitchell, pictured at far left, said he has devoted some attention to the issues he hears about on the news, and knows of no fellow students expressing support for the employer.
Mitchell said he values the extracurricular work done by teachers, and he's disappointed "how they're (employers) taking all their (teachers) privileges... because it affects us.
One 'privilege' the BCPSEA assures has not been revoked is certain WorkSafe BC coverage. For example,
A letter from Roberta Ellis of WorkSafe BC, posted on the employer's website (www.bcpsea.bc.ca) indicates:
'Where extracurricular activity being performed by a worker is sanctioned by the employer, the worker is covered by WorkSafeBC – that remains the case in the current situation of partial strike/partial lockout."
The following is related information obtained from the BCPSEA website, involving terms of the partial lockout which has been in effect:
Who defines what is included in the lockout — BCPSEA or the union?
It is BCPSEA who “owns” and defines the parameters of the lockout notice. Just as the union is free to unilaterally define and adjust the terms of its strike phases and actions (within the specified limitations of the LRB essential services order), it is only BCPSEA that can define what is included or not included in the lockout order. BCPSEA has never included a ban or limitation on extracurricular activities in the lockout order.