Teachers’ concerns rising early into schools reopening

PRINCE GEORGE — Classes have been back in session for students in BC for a couple of weeks now and already some issues thanks to COVID-19. One of, if not the, biggest concern when planning for the return was how to keep schools safe for both students and teachers and that’s already being tested. Northern Health is already confirming exposure of the virus at two schools in the region, at the Quesnel Junior Secondary School and in Dawson Creek at Ecole Frank Ross Elementary. At the time of posting, 16 schools throughout Northern Health, Interior Health, and Fraser Health, all saw some sort of exposure event between the dates of September 8 and September 15.

CKPG reached out to the Prince George District Teachers Association to see if we could speak with a teacher or health & safety representative about any specific issues are being seen in School District 57. However, we were informed employees, includes teachers, should not be speaking with media about their complaints.

Last week, a letter inked by the BCTF to the Labour Relations Board asked them to step in and force the Province to address concerns about working conditions. They filed it under Section 88 of the Labour Relations Code which allows the board to take action to settle differences between employers and employees when they arise during the term of a collective agreement.