To the Editor,
Re: A brief history of teacher demands in B.C., Opinion, June 26.
The columnist makes it seem as if the only reason us teachers are on strike is for more money. What the columnist failed to mention is class size and composition. In 2002 when the B.C. Liberals came to power, they illegally tore up the teachers’ contract, taking out class size and compositions protection. Since then, twice, the Supreme Court has ruled that they acted illegally and that they must pay back the money.
The Liberal government’s response to not repaying the money is that they don’t have any. Since 2002, education as a percentage of the provincial budget has dropped from 26 per cent to 15 per cent. Simultaneously the government has cut corporate tax rates to the lowest in Canada. The money has gone from educating, protecting and caring for children to protecting corporate interests. The fact that there is no money for education is an ideological choice, not a fiscal one.
Teachers see daily the results of this stolen funding. Kids who need a little help, don’t get it. Kids who are vulnerable, poor, handicapped are crowded into classrooms without support. Teachers are striking for these students and for what is fair and just.
Ann RainbothNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: A brief history of teacher demands in B.C., Opinion, June 26.
What a despicable piece of propaganda. So you think teachers are overpaid, do you? Well, why don’t you go in a classroom and teach for a year. Then tell us how easy it is.
Oh yes, by the way, the CEOs of Canadian and American corporations each make $72,000 in the first week of the year, hardly a nip in the bud to the millions they make on our taxpayers’ back. Corporate welfare, I think it’s called.
Cheryle SosnowskiLantzville