BC Teachers Getting Screwed...Again

[bleeding heart]

In fact, if teachers' strikes were more rare, I think the public would have more sympathy for them. As it stands, some people feel a slight "boy who cries wolf" issue about it.

Personally, I support the existence of unions, and I think strike action is sometimes justified. However, I think it should be used responsibly...which is to say, rarely.

[socialist]

If the teachers think the general public supports strike action, they are the ones who have badly miscalculated. People do not appreciate this kind of extortion. They are going to sour whatever good will they still have with the working taxpayers who pay the teachers' salaries.

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.

[socialist]

In fact, if teachers' strikes were more rare, I think the public would have more sympathy for them. As it stands, some people feel a slight "boy who cries wolf" issue about it.

Personally, I support the existence of unions, and I think strike action is sometimes justified. However, I think it should be used responsibly...which is to say, rarely.

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.

Edited April 18, 2014 by socialist

[Bryan]

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.

It's cute that you believe that. You're in for a rude awakening. People do not like being extorted.

[socialist]

It's cute that you believe that. You're in for a rude awakening. People do not like being extorted.

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

[Bryan]

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

Manitobans have has enough of the NDP and their wasteful spending. Continually giving in to public sector unions is just one of the reasons they are going to be lucky if the even place third in the next election. The damage they've done to education, healthcare, and social services is going to take at least a decade to fix.

[Pct2017]

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.

Ah Socialist, you crack me up every time. You do not live in BC, you only read websites that conform to your rather unique view on the world and yet you state that you, and you alone know without doubt that public sentiment is on the side of the whiny teachers. And, I happen to know that if someone were to ask you to back up that statement with empirical evidence, you would go off on one of your boring tirades about neo-liberals ( plink-a-plink).

At the end of the day, who really cares what the public thinks. The government received an overwhelming mandate less than a year ago to manage the public purse responsibly. And since that election, the NDP has imploded, so the Liberal party really has no opposition. But somehow, you believe that the government should capitulate to the demands of the most detested public union in the province. Yeah, right.

[socialist]

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.

[Pct2017]

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.

[url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-teachers-strike-action-issued-for-wednesday-1.2614264]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-teachers-strike-action-issued-for-wednesday-1.2614264[/url

As you can see PCT, the government negotiated in bad faith. Don't let facts get i your way.

Wow, another hard hitting response. This is breaking news if I ever heard it. You kind of edited out the part that the courts have stayed this ruling pending the appeal in the Supreme Court. And, don't loose sight of the fact that what Griffin said was that the BCTF had to be given the right to negotiate class size and composition, which is ironic as Bill 22 stated that the BCTF could negotiate class size and composition.

Still waiting for your response on where this theoretical support for our poor, hard done by teachers is going to come from. I was just listening to the most popular political events radio show this morning, and as soon as the BCTF story came up, the phone lines erupted, all stating that the teachers should shut up and appreciate how good they have it. But, I guess you have a better feel for this from whatever province you are in!!

I do think the Liberals were heavy handed back in 2001, but at the end of the day it is estimated that they saved us tax payers about $300 million per year, which makes the $2 million fine the bargain of the century.

[socialist]

Wow, another hard hitting response. This is breaking news if I ever heard it. You kind of edited out the part that the courts have stayed this ruling pending the appeal in the Supreme Court. And, don't loose sight of the fact that what Griffin said was that the BCTF had to be given the right to negotiate class size and composition, which is ironic as Bill 22 stated that the BCTF could negotiate class size and composition.

Still waiting for your response on where this theoretical support for our poor, hard done by teachers is going to come from. I was just listening to the most popular political events radio show this morning, and as soon as the BCTF story came up, the phone lines erupted, all stating that the teachers should shut up and appreciate how good they have it. But, I guess you have a better feel for this from whatever province you are in!!

I do think the Liberals were heavy handed back in 2001, but at the end of the day it is estimated that they saved us tax payers about $300 million per year, which makes the $2 million fine the bargain of the century.

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/

[socialist]

Ah Socialist, you crack me up every time. You do not live in BC, you only read websites that conform to your rather unique view on the world and yet you state that you, and you alone know without doubt that public sentiment is on the side of the whiny teachers. And, I happen to know that if someone were to ask you to back up that statement with empirical evidence, you would go off on one of your boring tirades about neo-liberals ( plink-a-plink).

At the end of the day, who really cares what the public thinks. The government received an overwhelming mandate less than a year ago to manage the public purse responsibly. And since that election, the NDP has imploded, so the Liberal party really has no opposition. But somehow, you believe that the government should capitulate to the demands of the most detested public union in the province. Yeah, right.

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

[socialist]

Wow, another hard hitting response. This is breaking news if I ever heard it. You kind of edited out the part that the courts have stayed this ruling pending the appeal in the Supreme Court. And, don't loose sight of the fact that what Griffin said was that the BCTF had to be given the right to negotiate class size and composition, which is ironic as Bill 22 stated that the BCTF could negotiate class size and composition.

Still waiting for your response on where this theoretical support for our poor, hard done by teachers is going to come from. I was just listening to the most popular political events radio show this morning, and as soon as the BCTF story came up, the phone lines erupted, all stating that the teachers should shut up and appreciate how good they have it. But, I guess you have a better feel for this from whatever province you are in!!

I do think the Liberals were heavy handed back in 2001, but at the end of the day it is estimated that they saved us tax payers about $300 million per year, which makes the $2 million fine the bargain of the century.

[Bryan]

Good thing nobody is attacking public schools in any way then.

[socialist]

Good thing nobody is attacking public schools in any way then.

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

[Bryan]

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

If they were underfunding education in BC, you might have a point. Since they are not, you don't.

[Pct2017]

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/

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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.

Edited April 19, 2014 by socialist

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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.

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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.

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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.

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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.

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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?

[socialist]

Socialist, I hope that you can comprehend that you personally epitomize just what it is that most of us in the general public dislike about teachers. Anytime you are challenged to express an opinion, you very consistently revert to citing loopy left wing websites, or worse yet, you present someone else's cartoons and posters. It takes much more effort and energy to express you own opinion in a forum such as this, but it is just plain lazy to continually refer to the work done by others. And what is the general consensus about teachers? That they are lazy and whiny.

So, my challenge to you is that you go one month without citing other's work, but instead you develop your own thoughts and present them in your own words. Preferably with correct grammar and spelling, but that may be a bridge too far.

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.

[Pct2017]

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.

Well done there Socialist. With a bit more work on your part, you may earn some respect around these parts. Now, can you do this for a whole month?

One minor grammatical error, but that is outstanding for you. Just for future reference, when you start a new thought, you separate it from the previous thought with a period, not a semi-colon.