Teachers' union to decide whether illegal strike is next in the books
VANCOUVER - Delegates representing B.C.'s 41,000 teachers decide today how aggressively to resist new education legislation when they put proposals to a vote at their Vancouver convention.
One faction has argued the B.C. Teachers' Federation should risk hefty fines and stage an illegal strike, and not agree to go back to work until the government waves the penalties.
Other groups believe pulling out of voluntary extracurricular supervision is the more appropriate action.
Union president Susan Lambert says fines of more than $1 million per day for the union are not affordable, but the organization has considered the financial implications and will adopt whatever strategy its members choose.
Government legislation passed last week brings in a mediator, suspends job action and imposes stiff fines against the union and individuals if strike action is taken.
Debates over dozens of convention resolutions have occurred behind closed doors since Saturday at the meeting and Lambert says results of today's vote may not be available until late tonight.
