School is almost in session, and Education Minister Peter Fassbender is "optimistic" it will stay that way despite labour unrest between the provincial government and the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The union's collective agreements are being negotiated under the province's "cooperative gains mandate," which means school districts have to pay for any wage increases for education assistants, clerks, trades workers, bus drivers and others.
But finding extra funds will likely prove challenging in New Westminster, which has a hefty $4.1-million deficit from previous years and had to cut approximately 60 jobs - about eight per cent of its workforce - to balance the coming year's budget.
Board of education chair Michael Ewen says finding funds to pay for wage increases under the co-operative gains mandate could mean even more staff cuts.
"It most likely means we'll have to lay off more staff," Ewen told The Record.
The union is calling on a two per cent wage increase for the pending contract. The province and the union go into bargaining next week, but Fassbender believes a solution will be found.
"They are going to work together to get there," Fassbender told the media in a conference call. "I'm not going to presume anything at this point. I want to see a school year without any disruptions. That's our goal. I've heard CUPE say that's their goal as well. Their campaign that is out there at the moment is communicating to the public the importance of the role they play in our school, in the province, and I happen to agree with it. They play a very important role."
Fassbender said his ministry is working closely with districts - including New Westminster - to find ways to save money, including opportunities to share certain services with other school districts.
"I don't underestimate any of the challenges, and I know New Westminster has them, as do a number of other districts. I do know that our staff are working with them," he said. "I'm not going to impose anything on them. I think they need to continue to do the work that they are doing with our ministry staff."
CUPE represents about 27,000 support staff in the province.
"We recognize the critical role they play, and I am optimistic that we can find a resolution and there will be no disruption," Fassbender said. "Our intent is to help every district get to a place where they can have an agreement that meets the cooperative gains mandate and that meets the overall objective of stability and no walkouts."
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