Who has the power?
Children need to be in school. Teachers want to be in school. Whisperings that school will not be back in session until October . . . or later are unjustifiable.
During past negotiations, if the government was not satisfied with the progress, they introduced back-to-work legislation, forcing the teachers back to work without a negotiated contract. During the current bargaining dispute between BC teachers and the BC Government, who has the power to make the government participate in negotiations?
Although mediation has been agreed to, how does one force both parties to participate? As stated earlier, the government has the power to legislate teachers back to work. Who then, I ask, has the power to legislate Premier Christy Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender into a deal that provides better support for kids? To legislate them to re-instate the class size and support levels of specialist teachers - conditions of the contract that were removed illegally.
It is abundantly clear that Christy Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender view themselves as above the law. They are choosing to ignore decisions made by the BC Supreme Court. Who has the power to stop a government that so blatantly disrespects its citizen's right to a proper education?
We live in a democracy. The public has spoken. Parents want their kids to be back in school on time. Teachers want to be back in school. Children need to be in school.
Who will stand with the parents and teachers?
Who will stand with us and not be a bystander?
Who will say no to the bully that is the government?
Who will help the children be back in the classrooms in September?
Kelly Smith
Prince George
