This week, Comox Valley teachers will join their colleagues across British Columbia in a provincewide strike vote.
The vote, if successful, would provide a mandate for a "teach only" job action to begin Sept. 6 at the start of the new school year, according to a press release by the Comox District Teachers' Association (CDTA).
Voting was to be completed by Tuesday, and results are expected no later than Thursday — the last day of the school year, noted the release.
Contract talks began March 1 at both local and provincial bargaining tables.
"However, no progress has been made at either level, leaving teachers frustrated," stated the release. "While teachers are seeking improvements to ensure they keep up with Canadian standards, the government has offered only concessions and contract stripping."
The "teach only" action would see teachers in class, teaching students but not performing other administrative duties, such as entering information on computer databases, meeting with administrators and administering mandated tests. Teachers would continue to teach, assess students and communicate with parents.
Teachers are seeking improvements to class size, class composition, preparation time and various local issues, according to the release.
In addition, teachers are seeking a fair wage increase, to ensure B.C. teacher salaries are in line with Alberta, Ontario and western Canada, it noted.