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B.C. gov’t must fess up to its bargaining mistakes

Education ministry, B.C. government showing bad behaviour during teachers' strike

I am a veteran teacher with more than 25 years of teaching experience in public education.

Over the past 10 years, I have seen the quality of the B.C. public education system come under systematic attack through underfunding and death by a thousand cuts. Class sizes have increased, support staff have been cut back, salaries haven’t even kept up with inflation.

I love my job and know that every day I am making a difference in students’ lives. In my classroom I establish an environment of justice and fairness – I do not tolerate bullying. If anyone makes a mistake, myself included, that person has to take responsibility for that mistake and put it right. It would not be acceptable for anyone to arbitrarily change the rules retroactively to hide that mistake.

I can only assume the Liberal government believes bullying tactics are an acceptable form of behaviour. The legislation that the government tried to pass this week is just as unconstitutional as the bills they passed 10 years ago. The children of B.C. should not have to wait for another 10 years for this Liberal government to be told this by the Supreme Court of Canada.

Passing new legislation to hide their mistakes is not the answer. Having the courage to admit their mistakes and investing in the children of B.C. by funding our schools adequately would let people know that they value families and that they value public education. Their behaviour shows very clearly that they do not.

My plea is for the government to allow the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the employers to negotiate a fair collective agreement without holding a gun to their heads. If they don’t, the working people and children of B.C. will be the ones who suffer.

Ann McLean

Brentwood Bay