Editor, The News:
Re: Teachers fairly compensated (Letters, March 7).
It’s been quite a roller coaster ride reading the various opinions about the teacher job action.
First, it seems the public was against me because I asked to be compensated on par with teachers in other provinces, as well as asking for improvements to my benefits plan, preparation time, and paid leaves. It seemed the government, with its constant message of impending economic ruin, held all the cards.
Now that teachers have begun to get the word out about classroom conditions, including class size, class composition, under-funding of special needs students, lack of resources, and the amount of personal time and money many teachers put into their students and classrooms, the public seems to be questioning the Liberal government’s mantra. Maybe I’m not as greedy and self-serving as they say I am.
I feel it is important to bring some additional points into the conversation. When I was asked by my union two years ago what I wanted them to bargain for on my behalf when my contract expired (June 30, 2011), I said wages and benefits. The reason I said that was because it is illegal for me to bargain for improvements to my working conditions, so what else could I ask for?
For a teacher, the most important working conditions are class size, class composition, and the ratio of specialist teachers to students. Bills 27 and 28, passed by the Liberal government in 2002, unconstitutionally and illegally, took away my right to negotiate for these things – and don’t forget, my working conditions are also my students’ learning conditions.
Another point is that the concessions BCPSEA, or, as we all really know, the Liberal government, has on the table are outrageous. These concessions are the only thing the supposedly neutral mediator appointed by the Liberal government will be allowed to mediate on. Among other things, these concessions will strip me of the right to choose my own professional development.
Currently, I have the right to decide what will be most beneficial to me and my students based on what is happening right now in my classroom. These concessions will give the principal the right to transfer me out of the school at any time throughout the year for ‘administrative’ reasons. These concessions will give the principal the right to fire me after a single unsatisfactory evaluation. One strike, I’m out. I would not only be fired from that school or district, I would be fired from ever teaching anywhere in this province again. Period.
These two concessions alone will effectively silence me from speaking out about anything I disagree with. This is too much power to put in any individual’s hands. I don’t think most principals want this power, but some do.
My contract currently has provisions that allow the principal to evaluate me. It also ensures that I am offered support and mentoring to improve my practice, followed by subsequent evaluations to see how it’s going. The usual three strikes, you’re out, applies.
I’m appalled. I’m scared. I’m angry. This is more than just a net-zero mandate. But I’m not going to give up this fight to stand up for my rights and those of children and workers across this province. Whatever side you come down on, get informed, ask questions, read Bill 22. I did.
Kristine Olsen
Maple Ridge