A ten year plan, that didn't last ten minutes

.
  .
.
Last week's announcement from Premier Christy Clark of peace in our time on the education front, didn't resonate very much with the target of her olive branch, nor did it last very long on the front burner.

The much trumpeted ten year agreement, seemed to come as a surprise as much to the province's teachers union the BCTF, as it did with those that negotiate with them, especially since the two sides were setting up the protocols for renewed bargaining in the months to come.

Vancouver Sun-- B. C. teachers and employers adopt framework for labour negotiations; talks to begin February 4th
Vancouver Sun-- Secret, tentative agreement intended to improve B. C. teacher bargaining

The secrecy of that framework agreement seems to have even caught the Education Minister Don McRae by surprise, which isn't exactly a reassuring thing for British Columbians, who may be excused if they wonder if the Liberal government really has any kind of handle on the education file at the moment.

At any rate, as the week played out and moving forward we imagine, the Premier's announcement seems to have taken on more of a positioning statement for the upcoming election. Possibly now to be considered some groundwork of the approach the Liberals may be planning heading into the election, highlighting their desires for a lengthy term of peace on the educational labour front.

The BCTF of course, most likely won't be signing on to any kind of long range agreement with that election in the offing. And in reality, may just bid their time with the framework agreement on negotiations that they now have agreed on.

With the most recent opinion polls showing a healthy lead for the NDP, the BCTF would no doubt be of the thinking that a much more teacher friendly deal is possible after the May election.

The ten year plan from the Premier seems like more of a campaign platform talking point, as opposed to an actual document of reconciliation, combined with her current polling difficulties, it may be just another balloon floating in the air by the time May arrives.

Of course, British Columbians may be interested in learning what Adrian Dix might have in mind regarding the seemingly never ending acrimony between teachers and government.

We suspect however, that Dix will be holding on to his ideas just a little bit longer, perhaps offering up snippets of his approach when the actual campaign for the May election gets underway.

After all, best to let the Premier's program continue to attract fire and provide for a discussion piece, it gives the NDP a chance to see what resonates with the public.

Should the NDP come to power in May, as at the moment seems likely, just how much of the Premier's plan that lives past May remains to be seen, but one gets the feeling in the end any kind of discussion between teachers and government won't have many of the Premier's fingerprints on it when all is said and done.


Some of the reviews of the Premier's announcement and what the path ahead may be can be found below.

Vancouver Sun-- Christy Clark's proposals for peace with teachers 'ludicrous', BCTF head says
Vancouver Sun-- After a decade of failure, Liberals have some new ideas about bargaining with teachers
Vancouver Province-- Christy Clark's offer to teacher's won't solve problem
Vancouver Province-- B. C. teachers slam proposed path to 10 year deal aimed at ending acrimony
Georgia Straight-- Why Christy Clark wants to be seen as a saviour of education
The Tyee-- Premier Clark unveils framework for peace with teachers
24 Hours-- Listen to parents to spend money wisely
24 Hours-- Focus on labour peace ignores underfunding