Editor:
Re: Union leader should set example, letter to the editor, Sept. 12, and Settlement is inevitable, so let's not waste more time, Community Comment, Sept. 12
In response to Othmar Brunner's letter and Doug Husband's commentary, I want to say I'm a proud, yet "naive, silly and lame" teacher, and I would like to clarify a few things.
First of all, our union operates as a democracy; we vote on things, including whether we go on strike, which we did with a clear majority back in June. Jim Iker also was voted into the top executive position by members at large.
Secondly, we have been assured that Iker, and presumably the whole BCTF executive, are not being paid since the strike began. This is called ethics, something the B.C. Liberals have little of.
Thirdly, we are not principally striking for better pay and improved benefits (which are deducted from our paycheques, by the way), which I think teachers deserve considering we have not had a raise in three years and we are the second worst paid teachers in thenation living in the second most expensive province in the country.
Instead, we are striking based on principles, and the fact this government clearly does not bargain in good faith and resorts to dirty politics and negative PR. The BCTF negotiators, for years, have felt completely stonewalled, like convincing your reflection in the mirror to change, or playing poker with someone who is always folding.
Oh, and we are doing it because we believe in properly funded universal public education for our children.
Michel Mey
