Greater Trail teachers could be asked to walk off the job in attempt to kill a bill that has ended Phase 1 of their job action.
Kootenay Columbia Teachers Union representative Andy Davidoff arrived back in town Wednesday after participating in a four-day session on the B.C. Teachers’ Federation’s next move.
“The bottom line is that we have examined a full range of options for us to take,” he said. “We are definitely going to do everything we can to kill Bill 22 and will hold a provincial vote on withdrawal of services, extra curricular services and possibly a full withdrawal of service.”
The votes will be cast April 17 and 18 but in the meantime school will be normal for Kootenay Columbia students coming back from spring break Monday.
A second member vote would have to be held with majority support before the union approves any strike action that would defy Bill 22 and trigger fines of $1.3 million a day for the union and $475 a day for individual teachers.
In the meantime, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation plans to launch a legal challenge against the bill that passed last week to end limited job action that started last fall on the first day of school.
“The message is that Bill 22 needs to be killed and the government’s actions continue to be draconian,” said Davidoff.
“This legislation is being introduced against teachers first but all of the other public service sector and even private unions know that they’re next.”