This letter is in response to “Teacher open to suggestions” in The Morning Star.
I am ignorant of the issues on either side of this situation. Your point that funding has decreased and teachers/students are being asked to do more with less is surely accurate. That has long been the situation for teachers and exists in more industries than education (just take a look at Interior Health).
The hoopla surrounding teacher contract negotiations comes up like clockwork every few years, and frankly, I am not much interested. However, you have asked how you could better represent yourself and your message.
As you know, you cannot represent yourself at all. Teachers can only be represented collectively by the union, which negotiates with the government. It seems to me teachers are trying to negotiate themselves, through the media, by endeavoring to drum up public sympathy for their situation.
What good is public opinion when the public has no say in the negotiations? Is the union not capable of getting your message across to your employer? Are not the teachers themselves making the process more public and humiliating through their protests and demonstrations?
My suggestion would be to ensure the union knows your message; let them quietly do their job of negotiating; work to rule; and if all else fails, accept arbitration or strike.
If the process is difficult for you personally to bear, you might want to consider giving up the profession you love, and getting a different job – if you can even find one – that is a non-union position. Chances are it will pay significantly less, with fewer (if any) benefits, and provide no job security.
You might still find yourself working for an employer that is forced to cut back and do more with less; however you will be in a position to privately represent and negotiate for yourself.
If teachers accept arbitration, or decide to strike and be legislated back to work, you could look on the bright side. You will possibly be financially further ahead than if you strike for any length of time.
In business school I learned there is a point during a strike after which, if you stay on strike, the financial loss can never be made up, even if you ultimately get your dream settlement.
C. Burke, Vernon
