socialist

As you fail to understand PCT, remember these FACTS: 1. The government of BC has - twice - been found to have acted criminally. They illegally tore up a contract and violated Charter Rights. Teachers have not. 2. The government removed the right to strike from teachers. 3. The government removed the right to bargain class size and composition from teachers. 4. The government removed the right to bargain working conditions (hours, prep, resources, etc.) from teachers. Faced with a criminal employer who refuses to discuss anything related to the job in any meaningful way, and that offers 'zeros' for wage increases, how would you suggest teachers deal with the government? They have no other options left.

The budget has FAILED to deal with inflation; I ask again, did you read the reports of a myriad of districts that indicate how much they have to scrap? Imagine, no counselors in a district. No librarians - which means no library. No music and band programs. The government's 'increases' fall short. Period. Teachers have received NO raises in the last several years whatsoever, so it isn't salary increases causing the problem. We fund our system worse than any other Province, save PEI, and you're trying to turn this into a union-bashing issue?

You do recall that the government - twice - has been found criminal by the Supreme Court on this issue, right? The budget goes up, but not enough to even meet with inflation. Did you see the Vancouver Sun's articles on the cuts needed in districts? This is despite the fact that teachers haven't even had a raise in years, so you can't blame it on 'increased salary' even.

I invite you into my classroom to see exactly how little "teaching" I do because I am busy give one on one support to a child with undiagnosed disabilities, continuously correcting defiant and disruptive behaviour from a handful of other students, trying to challenge gifted students, playing counsellor and mother to 24 children who lack empathy towards other and an inability to regulated their own emotions. I would love to just "teach"! But my district doesn't have enough money to provide support for students in need and that falls on my shoulders to make up with my own time and money. Oh, and I do it with a smile on my face for my students every single day.

I'd like to see how you handle a car full of children or teenagers for a full day, let alone upwards of 25-30 kids for 7 or 8 hours, every day, educating them and dealing with each student individually based on their specific learning styles and needs, attitudes, etc. Then don't forget about bringing your work home with you every single night to do marking and lesson planning (unpaid), report card writing (largely unpaid as this is primarily done outside of teaching hours), parent teacher interviews and following up with parents if a student is struggling or causing problems (unpaid), any sort of extra-curricular activity such as coaching, school band, drama programs etc. (all unpaid and ENORMOUS time and energy commitments). If you knew anything at all about what teachers actually are required to do and/or volunteer their time for students' benefits, you might rethink calling them glorified babysitters and overpaid. Oh and teachers pay taxes too you know.

Years ago, contracts were negotiated within districts. Strikes were very rare because the system worked. Bill Vander Zalm changed that by forcing provincial bargaining, and by forcing teachers into a province- wide union. The Socreds created this situation, and the Liberals are trying to profit from it at the expense of kids and teachers, often using illegal methods

Jim Iker does a good job, actually; you do realize that opinion polls usually actually favor the teachers, right? You do realize that even on ultra-conservative CKNW 980 that today's poll about school funding had a nearly 2:1 ratio of people saying the government should invest more in education? Just because you don't like something doesn't mean everyone else doesn't like it.

Statscan indicates teachers in BC are among the lowest paid in Canada, that they have less prep time than other teachers, fewer resources, larger classes, and have to deal with more special needs students. Your opinion is without fact.

Underfunding public education in BC is an attack on public schools. Can you understand that? Are you capable?

Doesn't matter where I live, I am in solidarity with BC teachers.

I don't put much stock into right win/reform/neo-liberal talk radio that appeals to sheep. Why don't you read this research paper and learn. https://www.bctf.ca/publications/ResearchReports.aspx?id=5570 http://www.ctf-fce.ca/Research-Library/Issue6_Article7_EN.pdf And this one is the most important learning blog for you. http://thecoalmine.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/teachers-dont-doubt-yourselves/

This is from the CBC: The relationship between the B.C. government and teachers has been contentious for more than a decade. In 2001, the province passed legislation that stripped teachers of their right to negotiate class size, class composition and staffing levels. Last April, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled the legislation was unconstitutional and gave the province one year to restore teachers' collective bargaining rights. When the government failed to do so, however, it was fined $2 million in damages. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-teachers-strike-action-issued-for-wednesday-1.2614264 As you can see PCT, the government negotiated in bad faith. Don't let facts get i your way.

You are lucky you live in Manitoba where their government properly funds education. You are seeing things through rose colored glasses.

When BC teachers are treated so poorly by the neo-libs, unfortunately job action is the only route. People need to realize what the governemnet is doing to public education in BC. Underfunding and cutting programs.

Have you been paying attention to the happenings in BC? Public overwhelmingly are for the BCTF and teachers and against the underfunding of schools and related cuts at the hands of the neo-liberal agenda.

True. It is a job action. The neo-liberals have forced teachers to do this. Neo-libs could care less about kids and deteriorating conditions due to a lack of funding. Thanks for chiming in PCT. You still have little knowledge of what is happening.

Waldo, do you wish there was a GSA alliance in your school when you went to school? GSAs have been proven to save lives and not just the lives of LGBTTQ students. Did you know that?

Waldo, I hope you are educating yourself on this important issue facing BC education. You are very knowledgeable on many subjects but I find your understanding of the neo-liberal assault on BC public education is lacking. I will try to help you understand. https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/03/08-6 https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/03/08-6

Maybe the neo-lberal government inn BC can stop cuttin g corporate tax rates and increase education funding!

The BC neo-liberal government got its wish. It has forced teachers to strike. This is what happens when you don't value public education by ubderfunding it. BC students receive $1000/student than the next lowest province. The neo-liberals have badly miscalculated public perception here because the public is greatly in favor of the BCTF and teachers in this assault on BC public education. http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/255708751.html When the economy is bad, investing in public education is good policy. Cut and watch the economy tank.

This is another reason why Justin wins in 2015. The man has empathy, compassion for his fellow man. He's an ordinary Joe and young people resonate with Justin. Could you see Harper doing this? I couldn't. Justin is connecting with average Joe Canadian. Libs probably win between 170-190 seats in 2015. Harper looks tired in seems to have political fatigue. I don't know if he has it in him to campaign again especially against a young energetic Justin. I like how things are transpiring. I called it earlier that the CPC majority would be a 1 time anomaly. http://www.mtlblog.com/2014/04/justin-trudeau-helps-disabled-montreal-man-at-jarry-metro-station/

Justin has all the momentum. I have talked to may young people who have never voted who are itching at the chance to vote for Justin, someone who they can finally relate to.