Editor:
Before going on vacation in June, the teachers gave their union an overwhelming mandate for strike action come September.
Not giving the union a strike mandate would have been out of character.
The greedy teachers want to be ready to extend their vacation if necessary, by refusing to start the school year on time.
While most working people have to content themselves with meager pay increases, given the tough economic times, the teachers are demanding a 20 per cent pay increase, smaller class sizes, and more teachers’ aides.
Not satisfied with this naked extortion attempt, they are also demanding a two-week paid leave to mourn the loss of a friend.
Call me callous if you will, but where does it stop? A one-month bereavement leave for the loss of a pet? Some semblance of sanity would be welcome in these negotiations.
The taxpayers of this province are the real employers of teachers. We pay the taxes that provide their salaries and extensive, expensive benefits.
Teachers do not pay taxes. They merely refund the government monies taken from the rest of the taxpayers.
Teachers are fully aware of, and are banking on, the fact that any strike action on their part causes no end of disruption in parents’ lives. Sitters have to be found and the school year may have to be extended to meet the teaching requirements.
But do they care? No! Even though they trot out the mantra that “it’s all for the children,” you and I both know that it’s all for the teachers and the unions.
The children only count as pawns and hostages for the teachers.
Gilles Mailhiot
Williams Lake
