Greater Victoria teachers take part in day of action Friday for public education

Greater Victoria teachers take part in day of action Friday for public education
GVTA
Greater Victoria Teachers Association.

For drivers around Greater Victoria tomorrow morning, you may see people dressed in red outside schools in the area.

It’s part of a day of action by teachers, in a show of support of public education.

The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association (GVTA) says teachers Teachers around Victoria will be wearing red, lining streets outside their schools and participating walk-ins at the bell to start Friday’s school day.

Teachers then plan to rally at B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming’s office from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

GVTA President Winona Waldron says classes will not be disrupted.

The GVTA says B.C. Teachers have gone seven months without a contract, and negotiations are also happening in Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Waldron says some teachers are planning to be at the McKenzie Overpass tomorrow morning before 8 a.m. as they collectively draw attention to what they call under-funding of public education across the country, especially in B.C.

The GVTA says schools in the province are currently funded at $1,800 less per student than the national average.

The association notes early career teachers make the second-lowest salaries in the country while living in some of
the most expensive communities.

Waldron says Thursday was the first of two days of mediation between the province and the BC Teachers Federation, with proceedings continuing Friday.

She says nine more dates are scheduled in March, adding teachers are very committed to the mediation process.

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