Vancouver teachers are rallying together this afternoon at Christy Clark's Point Grey constituency office to demonstrate their frustration with the 10 month-long collective bargaining process.

"We're hoping the message is sent loud and clear to Christy Clark and George Abbott that Vancouver teachers' are frustrated with the process at the bargaining table, that they need to go back and take a look at their net-zero mandate and what that means for public education," says Chris Harris, president of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association (VESTA), who is organizing the rally along with the Vancouver Secondary Teachers' Association (VSTA).

The rally will include speeches from Vision Vancouver trustees Mike Lombardi and Allan Wong, BC Teachers' Federation bargaining committee chair Tara Ehrcke, District Parent Advisory Council head Gwen Giesbrecht, as well as Harris and VSTA President Debbie Pawluk.

Harris isn't sure how many teachers will show up, but pointed out that the last rally held by Vancouver teachers, in front of then-Minister of Education Margaret MacDiarmid's office, attracted 300-400 participants.

All members of both organizations were notified about the rally in advance, and teachers from elsewhere in the Lower Mainland are also expected to show up to the rally, which is open to members of the public, as well.

"Obviously we've started this process in March, there's been 59 bargaining sessions at the provincial table, and we're seeing no closer of a negotiated collective agreement," says Harris.

"Teachers' don't want to escalate their job action, we want a fair deal for teachers and students, so we're hoping that this sends a message about that."

The Tyee contacted the ministry of education for comment, but has yet to receive a reply. A call to Clark's constituency office went unanswered.

Katie Hyslop reports on education and youth issues for The Tyee Solutions Society and others.