The Labour Relations Board has ordered the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation and its members to refrain from declaring or authorizing a strike against the province’s public schools. The interim order was issued late yesterday, prior to today’s job action by the BCTF.
The order requires teachers to immediately resume their duties and work schedules. Teachers may continue to withdraw some limited services as authorized by the Board’s previous essential services orders. (The scope of the essential services orders are set out in previous entries on Harris & Company’s “Legal News” section.)
The Board also ordered teachers to refrain from picketing at or near schools.
The BCTF has challenged the constitutionality of the strike provisions of the Labour Relations Code. The Board’s interim order is in effect until resolution of the constitutional issue or until further order of the Board, whichever is sooner. The order has been filed in the B.C. Supreme Court.
Harris & Company acted for the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association, which obtained the order on behalf of the province’s school districts.
(Click here for Interim Order)