Editor:
There is a fundamental disconnect between Education Minister George Abbott's words and his government's actions (Coast Reporter, Feb. 17).
If B.C. "has a great education system" then why do we need a "B.C. education plan" to "improve the system?"
His plan was announced in the media, but has never been explained to teachers or implemented. How can it be a "great success?"
Abbott writes that the "teachers' union refuses to accept B.C.'s economic and financial reality."
Teachers refuse to accept that Olympic Games, smart meters, stadium roofs, corporate tax-cut welfare and carbon taxes on schools (which benefit corporations) are more important that public education.
He professes that teachers' "singular focus has been to secure a large salary increase."
Teachers asked for class size limits in the '90s in lieu of salary increases (six per cent over nine years). In 2002, Christy Clark ripped this negotiated language out of teacher contracts. Teachers went to court and this was ruled to be unconstitutional. Government has still refused to put class size back in teacher contracts.
Government has put draconian provisions on the bargaining table that strip job security from teachers. The effect will reduce us to "McTeachers" instead of conscientious, autonomous professionals, who possess at minimum two university degrees and in many cases three. These provisions are not ones an employer demands of a respected partner.
Mr. Abbott hopes to "restore some degree of normalcy to what remains of the school year." If he imposes a contract on teachers, as many of us suspect, the "normalcy" he desires will never happen.
He can profess to want to work with teachers, but his party's actions speak otherwise. Actions, Mr. Abbott, speak louder than equivocating words. Settle up with teachers and stop the politicking.
Mike Sapic
Sechelt
