Editorial — Not a perfect deal, but good enough

WEDNESDAY MORNING EDITORIAL — When teachers on the Kamloops picket lines called themselves “tire and tattered” Tuesday despite the good news about a tentative settlement of their months-old strike, they looked the part.

One might have expected them to be out on the sidewalk, cheering and jauntily waving at passersby. Instead, they were huddled in circles in their lawn chairs, refusing to celebrate until an official vote was taken and it was all official.

BCTF president Jim Iker looked equally as exhausted during a televised afternoon press conference. In fact, he looked like crap. This is understandable for someone who’s barely slept a wink for the past four days.

What it all shows, however, is the severe emotional and physical toll these past few months have taken on teachers. It also showed that their resolve had not wained, for they were still talking about class sizes and composition and what it all means, determined that the settlement wouldn’t be signed unless it protected what they’ve been fighting for.

The deal will be signed, of course. The BCTF bargaining committee wouldn’t have given its stamp of approval to it unless they were certain it will be acceptable to its members. Caving in just to get a deal wouldn’t wash given everything that’s passed in this strike.

No doubt, it’s not a perfect deal. They never are. But it will be good enough to get this thing over with and allow teachers, students and parents to get back to life.