I will post links to documents related to the current struggle for public education in this entry.Series of articles from alternative media sources commenting on the teachers’ strike.
World Socialist Web
Portland Indymedia
In Defense of Marxism
NEFAC
Fight Back
Monthly Review zine
Vancovuer DPAC letter to the government.Download file
LRB Ruling regarding essential services rules, Sept. 30, 2005:
LRB Essential Service Decision (PDF document)
LRB Ruling regarding strike, Oct. 6, 2005. Note clipped from BCTF web page:
The Labour Relations Board has instructed the BCTF to post this ruling on the web site. The employer, BCPSEA, has filed this ruling in court. BCTF president Jinny Sims, local association presidents and individual teachers taking a stand together for public education have been served with this order. BCTF is asking for reconsideration of this order at the LRB. Members should continue to communicate with their picket captains and local associations.
BCTF Bargaining Bulletin This document outlines the relatively modest salary proposal being made by teachers.
Working TV and Templeton Secondary Student Videos relate to the Strike and Teachers’ Struggles.
Letter from BCCPAC President (Kim Howland) to DPACs and PACs.
Kim Howland’s letter (PDF document)
Letter in Burnaby Now critical of the above BCCPAC Letter
Time to advocate for teachers
Dear Editor:
Re: Pending strike action by the B.C. Teachers’ Federation.
A recent press release from Kim Howland, president of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, regarding the BCTF decision to serve strike notice leaves me enraged.
As a parent and a parent advisory council member, I get tired of the B.C. confederation’s mealy-mouthed reactions to anything that might disrupt the school schedule.
Her expressed ‘concern’ about the B.C. Teachers’ Federation’s decision would be better directed as concern about the government’s refusal to treat teachers fairly and equitably, i.e., by providing salaries, benefits and working conditions that are fair and in line with other jurisdictions such as Ontario and Alberta.
Kim, if the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils truly represents parents and is truly concerned, do some good: speak out for teachers and the need to pay them competitive salaries and provide working conditions conducive to good education for our students.
Let’s advocate for funding levels that will support good school libraries, music programs, teachers’ aides and recess monitors instead of whining every time it appears that poor Johnny and Jane might have to miss a day of school due to a strike.
Clare O’Kelly, Burnaby
From “Burnaby Now” : Looks like it isn’t just Vancouver parents fed up with BCCPAC…
Time to advocate for teachers
Dear Editor:
Re: Pending strike action by the B.C. Teachers’ Federation.
A recent press release from Kim Howland, president of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, regarding the BCTF decision to serve strike notice leaves me enraged.
As a parent and a parent advisory council member, I get tired of the B.C. confederation’s mealy-mouthed reactions to anything that might disrupt the school schedule.
Her expressed ‘concern’ about the B.C. Teachers’ Federation’s decision would be better directed as concern about the government’s refusal to treat teachers fairly and equitably, i.e., by providing salaries, benefits and working conditions that are fair and in line with other jurisdictions such as Ontario and Alberta.
Kim, if the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils truly represents parents and is truly concerned, do some good: speak out for teachers and the need to pay them competitive salaries and provide working conditions conducive to good education for our students.
Let’s advocate for funding levels that will support good school libraries, music programs, teachers’ aides and recess monitors instead of whining every time it appears that poor Johnny and Jane might have to miss a day of school due to a strike.
Clare O’Kelly, Burnaby