Strikes shows teachers’ determination

THURSDAY MORNING EDITORIAL — The picket lines at Kamloops schools on Wednesday brought home the determination of local teachers to get a deal they can live with.

Conversations on the picket lines were characterized by a blend of cheerfulness, optimism, passion, sincerity and at least a little anger. Teachers talked with our reporters about money, sure, but it is their genuine belief that they’re being prevented from doing their jobs properly, and that the Christy Clark government is letting kids down that was notable.

The other thing of note on Wednesday was the apparent support for teachers by the public. As cars drove by, drivers almost unfailingly gave a friendly wave and sometimes a honk to the teachers.

Some brought them baking, though several picket stations were pretty well stocked in that department anyway.

This would all seem consistent with an Angus Reid public opinion survey released Monday showing 41 per cent supporting the teachers to 30 per cent for the government.

Among parents and caregivers, the numbers are even more favourable to the teachers. Since they’re the ones most directly inconvenienced by the rotating strikes, that’s an impressive result.

There was another common sentiment on the picket lines — that the government may well legislate them back to work and the court victories and the hard bargaining will be for naught once again.

Maybe. Who knows what’s really going on in the hallway conversations and in the bargaining sessions, and who’s right and who’s wrong. Teachers, however, are showing by their words and actions — including a decision Wednesday to stage more rotating strikes next week — that they’re in it for the long haul.

And it may be that they’re winning the public relations battle.