Delta teachers begin service withdrawal
Delta students who returned to school Monday (April 2) after two weeks of spring break were likely welcomed back with a few changes.
This marked the first week that Delta teachers were expected to withhold their participation in after-school clubs, sports teams, field trips and other non-classroom activities.
Shortly before the break, Delta Teachers Association members voted in favour of withholding voluntary and extracurricular services in response to the provision of Bill 22 that legislated B.C. teachers back to work.
"Anything extracurricular that is not directly related to teaching and learning is something that teachers will be taking a hard second look at," said DTA president Paul Steer. "It's really the only lawful recourse teachers have. Teachers' voices have been effectively silenced by Bill 22."
Steer said Delta teachers are being asked to wind up activities they've already committed to, and not to begin anything new.
"Teachers are very reluctant to withdraw extracurricular, but it's the only option we presently have."
Teachers across the province may join in the same action following a B.C.-wide union vote April 17, 18 and 19.
Meanwhile, school administrators will discuss whether or not to step in where teachers have left off. Delta School District communications manager Deneka Michaud said there is a principals' meeting next week, and the superintendent will meet with the DTA after the province-wide teachers vote.
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