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‘It’s not about wages,’ say striking teachers
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Students at Stanley Humphries Secondary School joined a widespread school walkout in support of their teachers on March 2. Jim Sinclair photo CRAIG LINDSAY Castlegar News Reporter
Teachers from Castlegar, and throughout B.C., were on strike Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The teachers gathered at locations throughout the city to display information signs and hand-out leafs. The strike is the latest escalation in the teachers ongoing struggle with the B.C. government for a new contract. “This is a work stoppage because we
are very concerned about the legislation that the liberal government wants to pass - Bill 22,” said Geri Brydon, Kinnaird Elementary union staff representative and grade two teacher at the school. “This bill strips teachers of their rights, it robs them, and it hurts kids. We’re hear for the kids.” Brydon and several other Kinnaird teachers were set up at the corner of 24th Avenue and Columbia Street from Monday until Wednesday.
“The response has been great,” she said. “Lots of people honking. We do feel supported and we’re going to ask for continued support.” The B.C. Labour Relations Board ruled on Feb. 28 that teachers in the province could legally strike for three consecutive days this week, and one day per week after that. Bill 22, if passed, will make any job action illegal. Teachers were not allowed to block or picket outside of any school. They were
allowed to hand out information sheets. “This work stoppage is for three days and then we will see what happens after that,” said Brydon. “We’ve been in job action until September. We were doing our job and it wasn’t hurting kids. Then the government decided that it was time to step up and they introduced the bill.” BCTF members throughout the province voted unanimously to strike after a vote on Feb. 28 and 29.
“We would like to see them take back Bill 22 and let us bargain for a full settlement,” said Brydon. “We’re wiling and we’ve made concessions. The government has not.” Brydon says the teachers are not striking for more money. “It’s not about the money,” she said. “It’s about teacher rights and class sizes, and the composition of those classes.” Castlegar city councillor and mother of two schoolaged children Sue
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He aton-Sherstobitoff supports the teachers’ position. “The teachers have to do what they have to do,” she said. “You have union contracts that you have to go to the table in good faith and negotiate something. I think the teachers are in their right to strike to get a fair and equitable deal.” Heaton-Sherstobitoff is fortunate in that her husband is a seasonal worker,
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