EMPLOYMENT: Job fair held at CNC and UNBC A2 Friday, March 9, 2012 Documentary film festival gets underway in Prince George A11
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De Ly nd a PILON/ Fre e Pre s s
A long line of teachers marched from Parkwood Mall to the highway and back on Wednesday, the last day of their three day strike. Further action will be determined Friday following a vote. Meanwhile Bill 22, which would force them back to work, is under discussion in legislature.
■ EDUCATION
Several rallies in support of teachers Further job action is allowed however dates of more walkouts not yet revealed DELYNDA PILON newsroom@pgfreepress.com
It has been three days of rallies and marches, beginning with more than 100 teachers, with members from other unions joining them, gathering in front of MLA Shirley Bond’s office and ending with a rally at the Civic Centre Wednesday night. A march Wednesday morning, with teachers and their supporters meeting on 15th Ave. by Parkwood Mall then traversing up to the highway and back, brought out so many picketers that the line of people stretched all the way from the mall to Edmonton St. and beyond. A call for support from the school district at Wednesday night’s rally had already been addressed during an in-camera meeting March 5, with a press release shared two days later explaining the district has sent a letter to several government representatives as well as the Minister of Education asking they remove the restrictions set by Bill 22 and appoint an independent, mutually agreed upon mediator. Sharel Warrington, board chair, said the board is concerned about the growing tension between the teachers and their employer. “We’ve expressed our concerns about this impasse. It has
carried on a long time,” she said. She added they hope an independent mediator, without the restrictions of Bill 22, will be able to bring the parties closer together. “We would like to see a better way in which to address the teachers and their bargaining,” she said. “We have no choice but to say no to net zero and no to concessions or we will face them again and again,” Tina Cousins, vice president of the Prince George District Teacher’s Association, said at Wednesday night’s rally. The high energy event began with a set of rock anthems like Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign, We’re Not Gonna Take It and Raise a Little Hell ringing out over loud speakers. Interspersing speeches were Bill PHILLIPS/ Fre e Pre s s chants like “Hey Hey Ho Marches, rallies and information lines ensured teachers, who are set to be forced to go back to work Ho Bill 22 Has Got To when Bill 22 passes, share their message with the public. Go.” Cousins led other “I think we need to show a sizes and special needs students. books, perhaps it should get a group songs like R-E-S-P-E-C-T zero mandate to this govern- One said she would be glad to little help from some math teachand Greatest Love of All. take the question of a raise off ers. North Central Labour Coun- ment in 2013,” he said. Teachers representing several the table if it meant better learnThursday morning, teachers cil president Aaron Ekman gave a stirring speech, thanking sis- area schools also shared their ing conditions and resources for were back in class with their students. ter and brother union members stories, talking about their love her students. One said if the government Friday teachers will vote to from CUPE and the BCGEU for for the youth they teach and their concern regarding class is having trouble balancing its decide on their next steps. showing their solidarity.
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