CBYG
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Cecilia Walters: BC's Education Minister remains hopeful, even as the BCTF continues its fight against Bill 22.
Federation leader Susan Lambert says teachers will challenge the back to work legislation in court, and also vote on an illegal walkout in April. But George Abbot says he's hoping it will all work out.
Abbott: Not withstanding a lot of rhetoric that I've been hearing from Susan and others, the BCTF did provide us with a couple very good names of potential mediators. So we appreciate that.
I hope that is an indicator that they have some interest in trying to make the mediation process work.
Walters: In the meantime, the uncertainty continues for parents and students. Nick Postal (sp) is a grade 12 student and the school president at Mount Douglas Secondary in Victoria. He says the withdrawal of extracurricular activities could have a big impact on students.
Postal: I think it would mean a lot. Especially some of the sports teams that really -- I mean some people live for it, the athletics. There's fine arts. Again, students live for that kind of thing. It's what makes high school really a great time.
Walters: Postal says there are also concerns amongst students that grad events could be cancelled.