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Talk to a teacher

I have been reading with interest recent letters published in The NEWS regarding the ongoing teachers’ strike action.

I have been reading with interest recent letters published in The NEWS regarding the ongoing teachers’ strike action.

While I appreciate and respect the varying opinions on who is to blame for this job action, I would like to remind students, parents and the letter writers just how we arrived at this impasse and of the tactics that this government has used to discredit teachers rather than negotiating in good faith.

Two Supreme Court rulings have found this government’s actions unconstitutional and directed them to resolve class-size and composition at the bargaining table. The B.C. Liberal government has failed to comply with the courts.

Justice Griffin stated this grim analyses: “The court has concluded that the government did not negotiate in good faith with the union after the Bill 28 decision. One of the problems was that the government representatives were pre-occupied by another strategy. Their strategy was to put pressure on the union that it would provoke a strike by the union. The government representatives thought this would give government the opportunity to gain political support for imposing legislation on the union.”

Having walked and talked with our teachers from Ballenas Secondary School to KSS to Errington Elementary and French Creek school during this job action, I have heard firsthand the genuine concern for students, as well as, how working conditions and learning conditions have deteriorated under this government.

Please talk to a teacher before casting judgment.

Scott Fraser, MLA Alberni-Pacific Rim

Port Alberni