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NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release 2012LCITZ0003-000134 Feb. 9, 2012  

Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government  Assistant deputy minister to report on teachers' talks  

VICTORIA -Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Minister Margaret MacDiarmid has instructed the assistant deputy minister of industrial relations to report on the likelihood of a negotiated settlement between the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA).  

The minister appointed Trevor Hughes to inquire into the dispute in response to a request from Education Minister George Abbott. Hughes has been with the labour ministry since October 2008 after gaining 16 years of direct collective bargaining and labour relations experience in the broader public sector. The industrial relations division of the ministry monitors and, when requested, offers assistance in collective bargaining disputes that impact the public interest.  Hughes will meet with the parties over the next two weeks and provide a report to MacDiarmid by Thursday, Feb. 23.  

Quote:  Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Margaret MacDiarmid -  "Minister Abbott has asked for and I have agreed to seek an expert assessment of whether or not the parties will be able to reach a negotiated settlement. During this process, I encourage the union and the employers' association to continue working towards an agreement and hope they can reach a resolution to this matter on their own."

 Contact:  Melody Wey Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government 250 508-5030  Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect  

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