Amid ongoing salary negotiations between the teachers’ union and management and a month-long teachers strike, Vancouver English Centre closed suddenly on Friday after 23 years of operation.
VEC’s management posted a notice on the school’s door, website and social media accounts that VEC is not expected to reopen stating that it was the only possible course of action.
Teachers at the English language school had been on strike for the past four weeks after pay rise negotiations between the union representing the teachers and the school’s management failed in early July.
“Our cash flow dried up as soon as the strike started”
On August 22, the school’s owner, Ken Gardner, had agreed to start private mediations on Friday, August 26. However, in an email sent at 2:30am on Friday, Gardner informed administration staff that the school would close.
The closure was confirmed by a notice on the school’s door and later the school’s website on Friday saying: “VEC is closed and we do not expect to reopen.
We apologise for any problems that this might cause. Unfortunately, this was the only possible course of action.”
According to Kim Fissel, VEC teacher and interim president of the Education and Training Employees’ Association Local 9 branch, Gardner didn’t inform the union or the mediator that negotiations were cancelled and the school would close.
Speaking to Vancouver Metro News on Sunday, Gardner said: “Our cash flow dried up as soon as the strike started. Our current students went to other schools, or returned to their home countries. Applications for admission were no longer coming in. Closure was our only option, since we were insolvent.”
Youngil Shin, who was a student at the school for the past year, says he will now leave without finishing his course and with CAN$1,000 in undelivered course fees.
“During the first week of the strike, we asked for a refund. At that time, the [owner] said he couldn’t say whether he can refund [our tuition] or not, because he’s awaiting his lawyer’s advice,” Shin said.
So far, there is no further information on whether tuition fees will be refunded and if owed money to staff members will be paid. The school’s closure affects 600 international students and leaves 100 staff members unemployed.
Languages Canada has reached out to students to assist in replacing them at Vancouver areas schools.
The PIE News has contacted Ken Gardner for further comment.
