Kamloops teachers defiant as they walk picket lines in support of bargaining position

By MIKE YOUDS

NEWS/ SCHOOLS — Citing two court decisions and maintaining that public sentiment is in their favour, hundreds of District 73 teachers were walking picket lines today (Wednesday) as a bitter labour dispute with the province dragged on.

Debbie Taylor, a South Kamloops secondary English teacher, quoted Shakespeare’s Hamlet on her picket sign: “Oh shame, where is thy blush?”

“I think the biggest thing is that the government has denied our charter rights,” said Brandi Rusk, a fellow teacher, referring to contract rights that were stripped in 2002. “If they’re going to go after our charter rights, who are they going to go after next?”

“Where in the world you pay people then pull back money,” Taylor added. “I’m confounded by that and can’t believe they’re getting away with it.”

While they love teaching, the politics can be heartbreaking, she said.

Several students from SKS and the Beattie campus at JP lent support Wednesday morning, delivering home-baked snacks and coffee. A few even joined the picket line.

Tyson Neighbour, a Grade 12 Beattie student, said he views the provincial government’s approach to the dispute as part of a general drift towards tyranny and the abrogation of rights.

“It’s scary,” he said. “Having to graduate and go out into that world?”

Several teachers felt that the public is more supportive of teachers than in past disputes.

“I think in one sense this is probably the most positive response from the public we’ve had,” said Renee Schiller, a teacher picketing outside the school board office. “I think the public is realizing how hard the government is toward the education system. Even though (rotating strikes) are really confrontational, I don’t know what other recourse we have.”

“We’re here to ensure the education system isn’t eroded any further,” said Jacqueline Jauregui. “We want to have some sort of resolution. We want to be teachers; we want to help students.”

Negotiators with the BCTF and the B.C. Public Schools Employee Association, bargaining on behalf of the government, were to have met again today(Wednesday) for the second of three scheduled days of talks. There seemed to be a reduction in rhetoric between the two sides on Tuesday, giving rise to some optimism that an early resolution might be attainable. Classroom size and composition are key, several teachers said. They see a system that is chronically underfunded.

“I’m not here for money,” said Giovanna Rondinelli. “I’m here because I want to make a difference in some way. I think most teachers are here for that reason.”

“There’s always room for optimism,” said Ellen McMilllan, picket captain.

“I think it’s putting pressure on the government to restore funding and treat teachers with respect,” she said. “We’re standing up for students, for our community, for our province and for our democratic rights.

“The right thing would be to listen to what the Supreme Court said and fix it.”

“We’re hopeful,” said Cathy Farber outside Bert Edwards school. “Today, they’re going to be talking about class size and composition. I don’t believe the government has wanted to talk about that because of the court ruling they’re appealing. We’ve gone through that two times and won both decisions.”

Parents with school-aged children are most supportive because they see the complex needs that teachers must deal with in the classroom while lacking the support they once had, she said. After continuous budget cuts, she purchases many classroom learning materials with her own funds.

Tammy Whitford was at Northills Shopping Centre for a hair appointment with her son, who’s in Grade 1. She feels teachers need to be fairly compensated for the work that they do and additional staffing is needed.

“They care just as much as we do as parents,” Whitford said. “I think more people need to think about a lot of policies.”

A trio of OLPH parents at the mall noticed that it was a lot quieter than usual due to the strike, with many parents caring for their young children instead of shopping.