Dear Editor:
I used to be supportive of our teachers in their plight to be treated fairly and with respect. Now, I have had a change of heart.
As educators of youth who are in the front lines of a truly noble profession, it is difficult for teachers to take a stand. However, the stand that they have taken, in regard to their position, is selfish, self-serving and totally disrespectful toward our students and the people of B.C.
Just what are teachers teaching our children by their actions? As a pivotal part of our society who are entrusted with the welfare and development of our future generations, their actions, not their words, upset me.
Numerous unions have a mantra that they use and union members need to look in the mirror and determine if their brothers and sisters truly show and demonstrate respect. Unions demand it of their employers, yet this round of negotiations shows total disrespect of the employer, the citizens of B.C., and most of all, students. And students are the sole reason teachers have jobs in the first place.
Initially, teachers claimed they were doing this for the students' benefit and that they would not interrupt their education. Now they have broken their own promise, by interrupting students' development and education in a very disrespectful manner.
There is a process for collective bargaining and the teachers' union, not the teachers themselves, have made a mockery of our democratic system, by exerting and using bullying tactics towards the people of B.C. in an attempt to force them into accepting unreasonable compensation levels.
These levels are unsustainable and will eventually create a lopsided society. This discrepancy will pit private sector taxpayers against public sector employees and, if we don't fix it, we will end up with civil disruptions. Let us all grow up and be the professionals we should be.
We need to show our children that we can resolve our differences without interrupting their critical education development. Let's move forward in a positive and conciliatory manner and be realistic about what is important and reasonable for the benefit of all.
Gavin Palmer, New Westminster
