Parents To Get 'Strike Pay'

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 31 July 2014 12:17

BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong

The BC government will give parents 40 dollars a day for each child under the age 13, if schools are not open in September. Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced the plan today, saying the funding will help parents with their daycare costs, and will come from savings from the teachers' strike. De Jong says parents will be able to claim their money through a website set up by the provincial government. The province has saved an estimated $178 million due to the strike. BCTF President Jim Iker issued a statement Thursday saying the government is looking to "strip education funding from BC students in a blatant and divisive attempt to prolong disruption in BC schools." "This scheme will not help improve class sizes, increase support for children with special needs, or provide more one-on-one time for all students," says Iker. Iker says their bargaining team has been in regular contact with the BC Public School Employers' Association the last three weeks. "It's time for the government to finally agree to mediation so we can reach a fair settlement and get schools open for the first day back in September," adds Iker.