Dr. Charles Jago describes his job as the newly-appointed mediator in the public teachers dispute as "mission impossible."
But just as he was undeterred by the odds in his efforts to establish a medical school at the University of Northern B.C., and the huge hurdles he faced bringing a cancer clinic to Prince George, he says he will take that same approach try to bring about a negotiated settlement for the province's 41,000 teachers.
"When I was first approached I described this as mission impossible, so I think there are enormous barriers," said Jago in a conference call Wednesday.
"The parties have a sorry record of negotiations going back almost 20 years, so am I hopeful? I can't say that I am. But will I give it an honest try? I will certainly say I will do that."
Jago will be paid $2,000 per day for his services and has until June 30 to reach a deal within the government's net-zero mandate or submit a report with non-binding recommendations. Failing a negotiated settlement, the government will impose a binding contract on teachers that would expire on June 30, 2013.
He expects to contact both parties this week to set up a resumption of negotiations, which broke down a month ago when government unveiled its plan to impose a legislated settlement on teachers.
Jago admits he's never been a mediator but he has direct experience in negotiations as a university president, where he dealt with contract bargaining in net-zero mandates, and he served three years as chair of University Public Sector Employers Association.
"I'm familiar with the negotiating context for the public services in British Columbia and I have a lot of experience in problem-solving and consensus building," said Jago.
He expects to contact both parties this week to set up a resumption of negotiations, which broke down a month ago.
"I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think the government was justified in the appointment they've made," Jago said. "Maybe the fact mediation hasn't worked out well in the past has influenced the thinking that it's time to take a new approach.
B.C. Teachers Federation president Susan Lambert has agreed to take part in negotiations but is concerned about Jago's lack of mediation experience and the fact he has no experience as a public school educator. She is also concerned he will bring biased viewpoints to the negotiating table.
In 2006, Jago and Thomas Fleming of the University of Victoria submitted a report for the B.C. Progress Board on the state of the B.C. education system which talked about the long-standing history of disagreements between the BCTF and the B.C. government. It also outlined Jago's views on teacher seniority and professional development. Education minister George Abbott has cited Jago's report in his discussions about the current labour situation.
"I am extremely concerned we have someone who has already a point of view on these issues, has no experience in public K-12 education, and has no mediation experience," said Lambert.
"I don't think it will be a mediation. My sense is his mandate is government's objectives at the table, so right there we don't have a balanced process. I do not have confidence in it at this point. I'm finding it very difficult to even consider this a mock mediation anymore."
Lambert's concerns were raised when she learned Jago paid a total of $1,000 to take part in government-sponsored golf tournaments in 2007 and 2010. When asked about that on Wednesday, Jago said it was his policy as a university president to never donate directly to political parties.
The BCTF had asked the government to appoint either Ian Donald or Stephen Kelleher, both B.C. Supreme Court justices, to step in as mediators but the Ministry of Justice would not release either from their current court duties.
