VANCOUVER – About 150 parents and students gathered at Hastings Elementary School in Vancouver Friday morning with signs and placards showing their support for the teachers in the current education dispute.
They marched down Hastings Street with many motorists honking to show their support.
Most of the parents and students were wearing black and red. One parent told Global News that the colour black symbolizes the death of public education in B.C. and the red stands for energy and passion.
The group ended the march at MLA Shane Simpson’s office.
“This issue, it requires both sides to act in a mature way,” said Simpson. “I think the teachers have been making some moves in terms of pulling back on some of their demands, calling for binding arbitration. It’s time for the government to move, it’s time for the government to demonstrate they want a settlement.”
“My fear is it’s more about breaking the union and preparing for the court case on the part of the premier, than it is getting a settlement and that’s unfortunate.”
This was just one of many rallies being held around B.C. on Friday.
While the two sides are meeting today, there is still no word on whether the talks could lead to mediation or negotiations with full bargaining teams.
Photos by Grace Ke:
“I’m hopeful,” said one parent about the two sides meeting on Friday. “The teachers want binding arbitration, it sounds like the government’s not going to move on that, so I’m hopeful but it’s frustrating. I’m frustrated.”
At noon, parents and students joined teachers at Gilmore Community School in Burnaby to take part in a rally there.
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