VICTORIA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) announced today that it has filed with the Labour Relations Board (LRB) to obtain a declaration that the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF) strike was in fact illegal.

"In order to move forward with a class action suit against the BCTF claimants first need to obtain a declaration from the LRB that the strike was in fact illegal. Counsel has filed with the LRB today and we would expect to have a decision within the next month or so," said Sara MacIntyre, BC director for the CTF.

Since the CTF announced that it would co-ordinate a class action suit against the BCTF hundreds of parents, students and businesses that were adversely impacted from the illegal strike have contacted our office. Currently, over 150 different parties are prepared to go to court and have acknowledged the potential financial risks with moving forward.

"I am really impressed with the parents, students and small business owners that have come forward to hold the BCTF accountable and are prepared to see this action through. The BCTF's illegal strike had far reaching consequences and resulted in additional day care costs, tutoring expenses, lost wages as well as business losses for those that had supply contracts with local schools. Anyone that has witnessed the power of public sector unions in this province can genuinely appreciate the courage that these individuals have to say enough and to sign on with this class action," MacIntyre noted.

The CTF is not a party to the suit but is acting as a clearing house to bring impacted parties together and has offered to cover initial legal costs, up to the class action certification hearing. A similar action has been initiated against the HEU for their illegal strike last year. Both cases are precedent setting in BC.

"Once claimants obtain the LRB declaration that the strike was illegal, the next step is to file a writ of summons and a statement of claim with the courts. We hope to do that soon, but there are many appeals processes that the BCTF will be sure to use. Anyone interested in joining the suit can still do so by going to our website at www.taxpayer.com.," concluded MacIntyre.