B.C.'s teachers could stage a full-scale walkout as early as Monday afternoon, the union says, after members voted 86 per cent in favour of escalating their ongoing job action to a full-scale walkout.
B.C. Teachers' Federation president Jim Iker said 28,809 teachers voted for the walkout, from a total of 33,387 who cast ballots.
Iker said rotating strikes will continue across B.C. this week and stressed that while teachers are prepared to fully withdraw services, that decision has not yet been made.
'We want a deal definitely by the end of June and we want a deal earlier than that,' said Iker.
'If we get that deal, there will be no more job action, there will be no more lockouts and we can go into the summer knowing we've got some certainty for September for our students and for our teachers,'
The union is required to give three days' notice before members walk off the job, which means the earliest possible date for school closures across B.C. would be Monday, June 16.
The BCTF said on Wednesday morning that they are not planning to walkout Monday morning, but a full-scale strike could still begin on Monday afternoon or Tuesday afternoon.
Iker said the full-scale strike could still be averted if a deal with the government could be negotiated.
'BC teachers have shown incredible strength and commitment during the rotating strikes and the government's chaotic lockout,' said Iker.
'More than ever, parents understand that this fight is about quality education for students and fairness for teachers.' 'Let's stay at the table'
B.C.'s Education Minister Peter Fassbender said he's not surprised by the vote results.
'We have had and felt the pressure to get a settlement since last June, I feel no more pressure tonight after this vote than I did yesterday,' Fassbender told the CBC.
The minister also issued a statement reacting to news of the vote.
'While the BCTF leadership received the mandate they sought, no one should interpret this as any kind of enthusiasm on the part of teachers to shut down schools,' said the statement.
'I know teachers would prefer to be in their classrooms and I know that students and parents would rather finish this school year on a positive note. It is now up to the BCTF leadership to decide if they are going to move to a full walkout.'
Fassbender said the union needs to rethink its expectations and be more willing to engage in meaningful bargaining.
'My message to the BCTF is: let's stay at the table and get to an agreement by June 30, so we can head into the summer with the assurance that our education system is on a path to long-term stability and focused on student outcomes.'
Teachers have been without a contract since June 2013, and the vote is the latest development in the dispute that has seen the union and government divided over issues of wages and classroom conditions.
The government has saved $12 million each week in salaries during the teachers' current but limited job action, plus nearly $5 million more by chopping wages.
In the event of a full strike affecting the end of the school year, the B.C. government says every effort will be made to ensure report cards and exams aren't impacted. Potential strike impacts
What the full strike would mean for students in Kindergarten up to Grade 9:
Schools would be closed. Parents should make child care arrangements, where required. Final report cards will be sent to parents, but written comments may be shorter than usual.
What the full strike would mean for students in Grades 10, 11 and 12:
Secondary schools would likely only be open for the purpose of administering exams. Picket lines could be present outside schools. Students in rural areas may not have normal school bus service. Provincial exams will be marked and final marks will be sent out in as timely a manner as possible.
The Ministry of Education says the BCPSEA has asked the Labour Relations Board to deem the work required for the completion of report cards as an essential service. Schedule for B.C.'s provincial exams June 16-26
Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10 (Schools may schedule these sessions at any time after June 16.)June 18
Science 10 (only for schools that require an early session) Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 Foundations of Mathematics Pre-Calculus 10 June 19
BC First Nations Studies 12June 20
English 12 English 10 First Peoples Communications 12 Français langue première 10 June 23
Français langue seconde-immersion 12 Français langue première 12 Science 10 Civic Studies 11 June 24
English 12 First Peoples English 10 Social Studies 11 Source: B.C. Ministry of Education
With files from The Canadian Press
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