Going on strike isn't easy for Delta teachers, who aren't taking job action lightly.
That's the message from Delta Teachers' Association president Paul Steer as public school teachers will be off the job for three days starting Monday.
"Teachers are very angry and upset at what's being done to them. When is the last time you've heard a government legislating an end to a strike where teachers who are mostly still working and have never left the classroom? The unfairness of that is obvious to anyone paying attention to the issue," Steer told the Optimist.
The B.C. Teachers' Federation membership this week voted overwhelmingly in favour of escalating job action in response to the provincial government's latest move in the ongoing labour dispute.
The B.C. Labour Relations Board ruled earlier this week the union could initiate job action up to and including a full withdrawal of services for a maximum of three instructional days, with notice of not less than two school days. Subsequently, teachers may withdraw all duties for one out of five days per week, again with notice of not less than two days.
Teachers went to the LRB after Education Minister George Abbott said he instructed his staff to prepare legislation to end the year-long labour dispute. It would have resulted in a new contract imposed on teachers.
Following Tuesday's LRB decision, Abbott moved introduced a bill in the legislature banning a strike and ordering a "cooling-off period" until the end of August.
The Education Improvement Act (Bill 22) is to prevent strike action while the contract dispute goes to a mediator. The bill isn't expected to pass until mid-week, which means teachers will still be able to walk off the job starting Monday.
However, once the legislation is passed, teachers will be prevented from legally taking further strike action. They face stiff fines if they take part in further job action after their upcoming strike. Steer said teachers would abide by the law.
As far as the reaction from Delta parents, Streer noted, "Parents are very concerned, of course, because any time their routine is disrupted it's going to give rise to concern. Remember that teachers are also parents, so when schools close parents have to scramble to find alternative arrangements for their kids."
He added, "We're very sympathetic to that and very concerned, that's why we've given at least four days advance notice of our planned escalation."
When it comes to the reaction of students, Steer said he has a student in his family who has been conveying to him some of the sentiment. Those closer to graduation have expressed some concerns, but young people are generally very adaptable, he said.
In a message to parents, Delta school district superintendent Dianne Turner said school buildings will be open, however, there will be limited staff in the buildings. Since staff will not be available to provide adequate supervision or instruction, the district is asking parents to make alternative childcare arrangements during the strike, which ends Wednesday.
Strong Start Centres and user groups are able to operate as usual at schools. Daycares are also able to operate as usual, but parents should contact their daycare operator to confirm they are open.
Teachers will be demonstrating outside schools throughout the strike. Steer noted teachers will abide by the LRB ruling stipulating teachers can't "picket" the schools to discourage other unionized workers or staff from entering. He said teachers are also not allowed to wear the traditional sandwich board placards because they have the appearance of a wall, but teachers will be carrying signs.
A DTA message to teachers states, "Abide by the decision of the union to escalate to a full withdrawal. Show support for the collective strategy of the union; show support to teaching colleagues by standing, walking and talking with colleagues on the demonstration-line. Be resolute, confident and strong. Return to work only after being advised to do so by a duly-authorized Officer of the Union..."
The DTA notes the government's proposed legislation is hugely flawed in that it effectively eliminates class size limits in grades 4 to 12, removes the limit of three special needs students per class and ties the hands of the mediator from making a balanced recommendation.
Abbott this week said, "It's unfortunate that rhetoric and name-calling has overtaken a thoughtful and constructive approach to resolving the impasse through mediation. When mediation begins in the near future, I hope the discussion will unfold in a respectful way."
Delta District Parent Advisory Council chair Lisa Leblanc said parents have conveyed a range of feedback, from support for teachers to angst and confusion about finding alternative arrangements for their children.
She noted a range of day programs are available elsewhere, including Delta's parks and recreation department and Boys and Girls Club. Digivations and Delta Gymnastics have teamed up to provide day camps for students in grades 1 to 5. For more information on those sessions visit www.digivations.com/camps or call 604-628-9825.
