Is this how Premier Christy Clark has brought labour peace to our classrooms?
Once again her electioneering of “families, families, families” is failing families.
On the premier’s website, she states: “She will also make sure every child has the best chance to compete and win on the world stage by working to bring labour peace to our classrooms.”
It is obvious that the system of bargaining between the teachers and the provincial government doesn’t work. Province-wide bargaining is silly. The school districts in the province are very diverse.
How can you compare the needs of Surrey to a district like Qualicum? The schools are different, the composition of the students is different, the cost of living for employees is different.
In Surrey, the class sizes are approaching 30-plus, whereas at Ballenas classes are running with as few as 15.
It is no wonder the BCTF and the government cannot come to some agreement. This Liberal government has taken away the powers of the BCTF, as well as the powers of local boards. They may as well get rid of them totally and save a few more tax dollars, since it seems that all they are allowed to do is present balanced budgets, at all cost.
If this province-wide bargaining continues, both parties must stop the totally-outrageous demands at the onset of bargaining. It takes too long to reach the middle ground.
Les Harasymek
Parksville
