The former University of Northern British Columbia president who was brought in two years ago to broker a deal between teachers and the provincial government is optimistic an agreement will also be reached this time around, at least for the short-term.
Stressing he has only been able to observe the situation from a distance, relying on media reports, Charles Jago said Wednesday that despite the rhetoric he's not sure the animosity that existed between the two sides in 2012 is there now.
"I mean [B.C. Teachers Federation president] Jim Iker says that the negotiators at the table are being respectful and that's very good," Jago said.
In contrast, Jago said he could convince the two sides to sit in the same room for only a brief period of time when he was called in to mediate the dispute.
The BCTF had protested the appointment, citing Jago's lack of formal intervention experience.
However, three months later, teachers had ratified a two-year agreement.
"It was a limited agreement but we negotiated it at the table and had all parties sign off and that's very important," Jago said. "I mean, these groups have to live with each other for a very long time so it's important they come to an agreement themselves."
Jago said he believes there is room to reach agreement over the more immediate issues "and then try to find solutions to some of the more deep-rooted problems.
"I think that would be what the government has in mind, I think that's the right approach - get an agreement now on working conditions and on compensation, and then start to work on a longer term solution to the bargaining situation."
Jago doubts he will be called back to help with the latest round nor does he want to be.
"I wouldn't recommend that for me or for them," he said.
"It's a very complex agreement," Jago added. "I don't think the public understands the incredible complexity of the agreement...it's a multilayered agreement so that makes it very difficult to negotiate."
