Delta's public schools will not be open for three days starting Monday due to the B.C. teachers' strike. The Labour Relations Board recently ruled teachers, who have been without a contract for almost a year, are permitted to engage in limited job action, provided they issue notice.
The provincial government will soon pass legislation to prevent further job action in a "cooling off period" but it won't come in time to prevent the upcoming three-day strike.
The following letter to parents from Delta superintendent Dianne Turner explains the situation next week at the schools:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) has announced that its members will be withdrawing services for up to three days commencing on Monday, March 5, 2012.
All classes will be cancelled and there will be no instruction. We are therefore encouraging parents not to send their children to school on these days. We anticipate
classes will resume on Thursday, March 8, but please check the school district website and stay tuned to media for updated information.
School Operation
There will be no picket lines in place and school buildings will be open; however, there will be limited staff in the building. Since staff will not be available to provide adequate supervision or instruction we ask that you make alternative childcare arrangements for your children during the strike.
Strong Start Centres and user groups are able to operate as usual. Daycares are also able to operate as usual, but you may wish to contact your daycare operator to confirm they are open.
Transportation
School buses will not be running during this withdrawal of service.
Further Information
We respect and value the work of our teachers and sincerely hope that this dispute between the BCTF and the B.C. Public School Employers' Association is resolved
quickly. We will provide you with the most current information via the Delta School District website http://web.deltasd.bc.ca.
We regret the inconvenience this will cause and thank you for your patience.
Sincerely,
Dianne Turner
Superintendent of Schools
