After eight months of at times rather rancorous debate, the Teachers union in June chose to sign on to the terms negotiated by Dr. Charles Jago, though with a shelf life of only June 2013, a date which they no doubt hope will have ushered in a new provincial government, perhaps a little more amenable to some of their talking points.
And if the current polling data is correct, they may very well receive their wish, the Liberal government of Christy Clark is in a political free fall at the moment, the Premier watching MLA's march off into their well compensated sunset, leaving her to face the rejuvenated NDP under Adrian Dix in next years election.
The tea leaves at the moment anyways, suggest that Mr. Dix would take the helm of the government in that election, (though in BC you never really know where the electoral dynamic may swing in 12 months time), if so, the BCTF clearly believes that he would be more inclined to sign off on some of their demands and concerns.
And while we imagine the labour picture would be a little less combative with the NDP in power, it was an NDP government in the past that also threw up its hands in frustration at the more militant aspects of the BCTF.
So, the idea that a blank cheque and universal acceptance of all demands is perhaps a bit Utopian even for the more radical of the BCTF membership.
As noted however, the political landscape in BC is always shifting, Clark while clearly wounded at the moment by departures and self inflicted political wounds, may yet still be able to find the wedge issues that will have the middle ground of BC voters to hedge their bets in turning to the NDP.
It's looking doubtful, the sense of a tired government and party that needs a time out seems to grow by the month, but controversy can still stoke the political fires and nothing is ever more controversial than education in the province.
While they will resume their normal activities in the classrooms of the province and with it all of the extra curricular activities that students have come to love, the battle with the government will seemingly go on through the school year, the focus to be in the courts where the BCTF will continue their challenge to Bill 22.
It may yet provide some fireworks for the Premier, keeping the education dispute on the back burner perhaps but still percolating, another issue that the government will have to address as they head to the polls in 2013.
For parents and students however and most likely a large number of teachers as well, the arrival of September will bring a sense of normalcy to the schools of the province, something that was lacking at times in 2012.
A temporary lull in what seems to be an endless battle in British Columbia's polarized world of labour relations.
Vancouver Province-- B. C. Teachers vote to accept contract in year long labour dispute
Vancouver Province-- B. C. Teachers reach tentative deal with province, seek 'fair treatment" ...
Vancouver Province-- Why so angry? Teachers have it pretty good
Vancouver Sun-- Majority of B. C. teachers vote in favour of contract agreement
Vancouver Sun-- Christy Clark cheers 'unliklely' deal with B. C. teachers
Vancouver Sun-- Mediator is the hero in pulling teachers' deal out of the fire
Victoria Times Colonist-- New script needed for teacher strife
Victoria Times Colonist-- Other unions hopeful that deals available
Globe and Mail-- B. C. Teachers' union court action stokes labour war
National Post-- B. C. Liberals are the clear winners in tentative deal with teachers
The Tyee-- BCTF, government reach tentative bargaining deal
CBC-- B. C. Teachers vote to ratify new contract
Opinion 250-- "Holding their noses" and voting Yes - Teachers Ratify Deal
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