Editor, The Times:
At the core of the current labour dispute between the public school teachers and the B.C. government is philosophy.
The teachers and their union, the B.C. Teachers Federation believe in public education for their students and themselves. The current B.C. Liberal government philosophically supports private, user pay education despite their protestation that they put millions into public education. Yes, they do, but the trend is toward more support for private education and consistent underfunding of the public system.
It is no secret that the teachers' union, the BCTF, has been a thorn in the side of Christy Clark's Liberals, as have all unions in B.C. that stand up for workers' rights and fair pay for working people. In fact the BCTF, as a teachers' union, worked very hard for the NDP in successive B.C. elections, so all unions, including the teacher's union are on Christy Clark's hit list.
I address my next comments to the hard working people of B.C., union, non-union, small businesses and those whose circumstances prevent their employment. My question to you is, would you rather have an affordable public education system supported by universal taxes, or a user pay private system that those who have children must pay for directly out of their pockets? Ask yourselves, how many of you could educate your children on a non-union wage advocated by Christy Clark and her well-heeled friends?
If you do not think it would be possible for you to educate your children on a modest income, private or public, then get out there and vocally support our public school teachers, for they are waging a battle for public education and a fair deal for themselves on your behalf.
If this B.C. government, like any other government, feels that it is losing public support, it may be more inclined to make a fair settlement for teachers that will ensure that public school starts on time this coming September with adequate funding for the system and a fair wage increase for teachers.
In the case of people who do not have children, by choice or otherwise, I say in response to some of you who say, “Why should we pay school taxes?” that a well educated society is a benefit to us all because it creates a better society from which we all benefit, regardless if we have children or not.
I urge you to join the voices of others who have chosen to support public education as a key factor in an affordable, enriched society.
Wes Morden
Blackpool, B.C.