B.C. Federation of Labour calls for solidarity with BC’s teachers Rally planned this week to show support

VANCOUVER – BC’s labour leaders met today to issue a statement of solidarity with BC’s teachers and announce plans for a solidarity rally Thursday, June 19th in Vancouver.

“Christy Clark and the BC Liberals need to get the clear message from British Columbians that it is time for the government to respect the work of our teachers, and negotiate a settlement in good faith,” said Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour. “There is no need to let this dispute continue through the summer and into the fall. The time to settle is now.”

“Demonstrations of solidarity with teachers are more important than ever.”

A rally, co-hosted by the B.C. Federation of Labour and the B.C. Teachers’ Federation will take place:

Date:          Thursday, June 19, 2014
Time:          6:00 pm
Location:   Vancouver Convention Centre East
                    999 Canada Place
                    Vancouver BC

Teachers, parents, students and supporters are encouraged to join together and send a message that teachers deserve a fair deal and kids deserve better supports.

Labour leaders are also encouraging people to bolster local picket lines to show support for BC’s teachers.

“Teachers want to stay in the classroom but they know how important it is to hold strong against the government’s assault on our public education system,” said Irene Lanzinger, Secretary-Treasurer of the B.C. Federation of Labour. “Their fight is bigger than one union – they are fighting for the rights of all workers to be treated with dignity and for all children to a have a solid start in life.”

Read the B.C. Federation of Labour’s statement of solidarity at bit.ly/1nisFtT.

Details about Thursday’s rally can be found at on.fb.me/SRlEXx.