Teachers won’t picket BC Summer Games
Posted June 30, 2014 6:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NANAIMO (NEWS1130) – It looks as if the BC Summer Games will go ahead without the stress of picket lines.
Last week it emerged picketing could cause major headaches for those putting together the games this July.
A deal has been reached between the Nanaimo District Teachers’ Association and the BC Summer Games Society that teachers will not picket outside the schools involved during competition or on days when crews need to set up or take down event-related equipment.
President of the BC Summer Games Society, Jeff Lott, says it’s a relief. “We’ll be using over 20 of the school facilities within the local school district. Without being able to access those buildings, we’re using them as accomodation and also for some of our sports venues, we would have had great difficulty moving these games forward.”
The BC Teachers’ Federation was also involved in the two sides coming to a deal.
Open letter from the BC Summer Games and the Nanaimo District Teachers’ Association:
BC’s teachers have made very important contributions throughout the history of the BC Summer Games. Volunteers are the heart and soul of the BC Games, and it’s not surprising that teachers have traditionally offered their services. From the myriad of organizational and support roles teachers are naturally adept at, to their experience as coaches and officials, there is no doubt that the enthusiasm and expertise of many teachers plays a vital role in the ongoing success of the games.
The use of school sites has always been crucial to the functioning of the Games. Given the oft-changing realities of this past school year, it has been difficult for many BCTF members to plan for their summer, or to know how their worksites will be affected. Nanaimo’s teachers support the BC Summer Games, and a significant number will be volunteering or otherwise participating. It is important that all uncertainty about access to school district sites for teachers and other unionized workers be removed. This is most easily achieved by reaching a new collective agreement for teachers.
We all want the Games to be a success for the city and region, as well as for the many visitors from all parts of our province. We are encouraged that negotiations between the BCTF and the province continue, and are hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached soon. In this spirit of cooperation and solidarity with the many teachers and other participants from around the province, the Nanaimo Teachers’ Association agrees to not picket any sites of the Summer Games. The BC Summer Games applauds this significant commitment and continues to plan for a successful event.
