Editor:
Do teachers deserve a raise?
Definitely, but then so does everyone else unless you’re a politician or a CEO whose company is losing many. Costs continue to escalate and, as they do, people should have their wages raised accordingly.
Teachers, however, don’t want equity. They want more – a 15 per cent increase when the rest of the public sector has been told that there will be no raises. Nothing, nada.
Of course, it’s not the money that the teachers want; oh no, it’s all about the students. Funny though, I have never heard the BCTF suggest monies allocated for a raise in wages should be waived in lieu of more teachers to decrease class sizes and/or to build more schools.
On the whole, teachers are well paid for what they do, although there are those who go far and beyond what they are required to do.
By all means, let them strike and ask for what everyone would like – an increase in wages. However, don’t insult us with the rhetoric. You want a raise.
W. Al Riede, Surrey
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As a student in B.C., I find that my voice is often invalidated or disregarded by others older then myself.
On Friday, March 2, students all across B.C. marched out of their classrooms in support of their teachers. Students walked out to send a message to the government that we have a voice, and we will use it.
We need more support for special-needs students, we need less-populated classrooms, we need more updated materials – I have a textbook where the Berlin Wall is still standing. Currently, many students feel that our needs, and the needs of our teachers, are not being met.
Many adults seem to think that all the teachers want is a 15 per cent wage increase, but that is untrue. This is a negotiable figure. What we want is a fair mediation, so other issues that have been brought up can be resolved.
Anthony Hope, Surrey
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What I find offensive, perhaps even unethical, is the BCTF’s members’ apparent utilization of students as potent bargaining chips. Furthermore, how can the federation’s members expect to continue receiving regular employee welfare and health benefits – as well as regular pay – regardless of their not performing some tasks that are a part of their salary agreement.
Frank G. Sterle, Jr., White Rock
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Its definitely not about the kids, so it must be about the money. Teachers are blackmailers of the first order, again using our children – and their future – as hostages. It’s all about greed and perceived entitlement.
Legislate them back to work, negate all union agreements, pay on individual merit and performance, as the rest of us are.
Ivan Scott, Surrey