OPPOSE BILL 22

The B.C. Liberal government is using legislation to circumvent collective bargaining. That’s the manner by which this purportedly democratic party, this avowedly pro-family premier and her ministers are dealing with the impasse in negotiations with B.C. teachers. It is by the way, an impasse generated by an outlandishly wrong-headed handling of educators, offering no increases of any kind and numerous other demands for concessions by teachers. There are matters of great importance to teachers, such as class sizes and staffing levels which are being disregarded; and matters that are important to boards of education, such as teachers’ evaluations and management control of the workforce are receiving attention through Bill 22. One would be right to say Bill 22 is a subversion of a bargaining process.

All of us who believe that education of our children and grandchildren is of paramount importance and who also believe that educators are valued members of our society and who make invaluable contributions to our families and our society need to do what we can to encourage our government to seek a resolution to this bargaining impasse, a resolution that respects free collective bargaining and addresses the range of issues that teachers and boards of education are passionate to discuss.

The solution is certainly not one by which the government dictates the outcomes. Resentment is the only resultant outcome of such action.

I believe that the public have to be more than merely listeners to news but proactively telling our government to get it right. Deal fairly and equitably with the teachers who daily invest their lives in the betterment of our families.