VANCOUVER, British Columbia—More than 500 students rallied here March 2 to support teachers fighting for a contract. It was one of dozens of rallies across the province by thousands of high school students.

The 41,000-member British Columbia Teachers’ Federation organized a three-day work stoppage starting March 5 after voting 87 percent for a strike mandate. The teachers have been without a contract since July.

The British Columbia Federation of Labour and the teachers union held a March 6 rally Victoria to oppose a proposed bill that would prohibit strikes by teachers, make violations punishable with fines and impose a wage freeze.

—NED DMYTRYSHYN AND STEVE PENNER