April 1, 2000, Vancouver After receiving the report of the Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC), union negotiators were stunned to find that the employers had walked away from the Labour Relations Board and negotiations. This left union and government negotiators unable to complete one of the key recommendationsthe accord discussions.
“Were stunned that the employers care so little about students in this province that they would leave in the middle of negotiations” said Barry ONeill, president of CUPE BC. “As a result of the irresponsible actions of these employers we are calling on the government to step in and complete these negotiations if they expect a settlement to be reached this weekend.”
“By leaving, the employers rejected one of the commissioners core recommendations to “conclude the remaining accord items as soon as possible”.”
Gary Johnson, K-12 SBC negotiator said “Not even the government appointed commissioners were able to make these employers bargain in earnest. The members of this bargaining committee are frustrated and angry about the way they have been treated by this process. They cannot accept the incomplete nature of this report but still they remain committed to bargaining.”
“We have reserved meeting rooms for tomorrow in order to continue bargaining and we expect government to be there on behalf of the employers who cant or wont bargain to conclusion.”
ONeill concluded by saying, “Unless the government steps in immediately to conclude these talks we regret to say that picket lines will resume Monday morning.
Information:
Louise Leclair, Communications Representative
(604) 454-4711 or (604) 254-1188
Gary Johnson, National Representative
(604) 219-3703
Regular information updates regarding CUPE K-12 Sectoral Bargaining can be found at: www.cupe.bc.ca/sbc