Education assistants and other inside support workers are threatening to picket Greater Victoria public schools next week if they are unable to reach a deal on a new contract.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 947 served 72-hour strike notice Wednesday, putting members in a position to walk off the job at 7:30 a.m. Monday.

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The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association said its members will refuse to cross CUPE picket lines in the event of a strike, effectively shutting schools.

Local 947, which represents about 800 support workers, is the only CUPE local out of 57 in the province to reject a framework deal between the union’s provincial bargaining team and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association.

The provincial framework called for a staggered 3.5 per cent pay increase over two years. But Local 947 members objected to proposed changes to their prescription-drug benefits package.

The union local voted 137-61 on Dec. 4 to reject the deal, with 198 of its approximately 800 members casting ballots.

Local president Brad Hall said he remains optimistic a deal can be reached without disrupting classes. He said he met with district and school employers’ association officials Wednesday and presented them with a possible compromise.

“I have to say I’m hopeful,” he said. “I think we gave them a deal that I think they should bite on. I think it will satisfy both parties.”

Hall expects to receive a response today. The union, however, served strike notice in order to give the district time to alert parents and staff in case the deal falls through, he said. Normally, notice would be issued Friday for a Monday strike.

“We just gave it early to give them some breathing room.”

School board chairwoman Peg Orcherton said she’s also hopeful a strike will be averted. She said further discussions are slated for Friday, if needed.

“As long as discussions are ongoing, I’m optimistic that a resolution will be found,” she said. “But you hope for the best and you prepare for the worst, so that’s where we’re at right now.”

Orcherton said the district is advising parents to plan alternative arrangements for their children on Monday in the event of a strike. “Hopefully, the resolve will be found before any picket lines do go up.”

B.C.’s Ministry of Education expressed a similar sentiment.

“We’re still hopeful that it can be resolved,” spokesman Scott Sutherland said. “They are the only CUPE union local in B.C. not to accept a provincial framework; every other one has accepted it and seen it as reasonable.”

CUPE Local 382, which represents 230 painters, custodians and other “outside” support staff in the Greater Victoria district, ratified the provincial framework in November. President Gilles Larose said his members would nevertheless respect Local 947’s picket lines if a strike goes ahead.

“If nothing comes to fruition by Monday morning at 7:30, there’ll be picket lines in place and we’ll honour and respect them,” he said.

lkines@timescolonist.com