Today, the B.C. legislature passed Bill 22, the Education Improvement Act.

The new legislation suspends teachers' strike action, establishes a cooling off period and appoints a mediator to work with the parties toward a negotiated agreement.

The cooling off period will come into effect this Saturday, so that all strike activity must cease when schools resume following spring break.

The next step is the appointment of a mediator to work with the parties toward a negotiated settlement.

Education Minister George Abbott will be writing to both the B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) and the B.C. Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) tomorrow asking that they submit names to be considered as potential mediators.

Potential candidates should have a strong background in education, be held in high regard by the education community, and have effective dispute resolution and consensus building skills.

The minister will consider all submissions received from the two parties by March 26, 2012.

Once appointed, the mediator will work with both parties on issues of mutual concern.

This will include issues raised by the BCTF - such as classroom organization and the local and provincial split of bargaining, as well as issues raised by the BCPSEA, such as professional development and teacher evaluation.