Abbotsford and Mission schools will be closed for classes again next week for one day, after the B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) announced this afternoon that teachers will continue their rotating strikes across the province.
The job action will take place in Abbotsford on Thursday, June 5 and in Mission on Friday, June 6. The neighbouring Langley school district will be impacted on Monday, June 2, while Chilliwack will be affected on Tuesday.
Teachers have been holding their first round of the rotating strikes this week, as part of the BCTF's escalating job action, with Abbotsford teachers taking part today (Wednesday).
The BCTF announced the action last week after they rejected an offer of a $1,200 signing bonus for an agreement by the end of the school year.
According to Abbotsford superintendent of schools Kevin Godden, although schools are "technically open" during the strikes, there is not adequate supervision or instruction for students.
BCTF president Jim Iker said more pay, more teachers and a return to contract language guaranteeing class size and special needs support are needed to reach a settlement.
Peter Cameron, chief negotiator for the province’s 60 school districts, informed the union last week that a five per cent pay cut will be put in place in response to the first phase of strike action.