‘cordial’ contract talks between province and teachers
Posted December 8, 2013 12:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – As teacher contract talks continue, the head of the union describes negotiations with the government as being ‘cordial’.
Both sides have been trying to improve a relationship that has historically been confrontational.
Union President Jim Iker is hoping that work will help them reach a deal.
But as for whether the meetings so far have brought them closer to an agreement, Iker won’t say. “Government says they want a deal. We say we want a deal. So we gotta make it happen. But we know the one thing that it takes to make a deal is that government comes to the table actually with the funding.”
Iker says it’s going to take some cash to reach a deal. “Bargaining is always tough, and we’re hoping that in terms of the relationship building, that will also help us reach an agreement, but government has to bring the necessary funding.”
Iker says more contract talks are scheduled from now into February.
