VANCOUVER - Secondary schools in Vancouver are expected to be behind picket lines this week as part of a province-wide attempt to pressure the British Columbia government.
The Vancouver Secondary Teachers' Association says on its website that members will be picketing from Tuesday to Friday, and it is imperative that teachers are out in full force as the beginning of the school year looms.
Picket lines are also expected to go up on Wednesday in other school districts across the province.
The union representing B.C.'s 40,000 striking teachers says it will use various tactics, including picket lines, radio ads and protests, in order to pressure the government into reaching a negotiated settlement.
Teachers have been on strike since June, and while both the teachers' union and the employer say they want classes to resume on Sept. 2 as scheduled, the summer has been mostly devoid of formal negotiations.
BC Teachers' Federation president Jim Iker has challenged Education Minister Peter Fassbender to begin mediation, but the ministry says that will only happen if veteran mediator Vince Ready deems it would be productive.
