Did I hear that correctly?

So, Mr. Dix did not ask any questions about this draconian bill and Ms. Clark is upset because "this is the place to do it" - meaning "in the legislature". Well, maybe Adrian should ask CKNW to air his concerns? (But why bother, when Bill Good, et al, are so firmly behind the Fiberals.)

If I were a teacher

If I were a teacher now is the time to go into early retirement if possible. Forget about those students that you hold dear to your heart. Perhaps it isn't about the kids anymore and admit that the public and Liberal government don't really care about them. Move to another province or retire as this profession is not one at all. It is just another babysitting service for desperate parents.

Teachers Not Alone: B.C. judges sue province for wage hike

This government picks and chooses who it gives raises to. BC Hydro? No problem. Teachers and judges? Not so much. The Liberals are getting sued from many quarters.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/10/13/bc-judges-salary-demand-lawsuit.html

Given their previous

Given their previous history,for the BC Labour Relations Board to approve ANY form of strike action by the teachers is almost tatamount to carte blanche approval of the teachers and condemnation of the government's actions. The courts have decreed that the government has broken the law on class sizes and other issues, and now another arm of government has said that the teachers do have the right to take job action despite what Abbot and/or Clark think.

Abbot and Clark are flouting the law themselves by re-writing the rules half way through the game. A "cooling off period", is just this government's way of delaying further a settlement that is already a full year beyond what it should have been. No one, especially the teachers will "cool off" if their rights continue to be trampled further.

Fines for Staff

This bill includes a $2,500 fine for people EMPLOYED by the union. Those fines would be because other people have refused to obey a government order an order not to strike. A BA has no obligations to the government only to its employer the Executive board of the union.

A Business Agent could face fines for going to work. They would have to quit their jobs or get fired to avoid being fined for the actions of other people.

First offense for a DUI is as low as $500. Seems that Crusty Clark is more interested in punishing worker advocates than drunk drivers.

This government is unbelievable.

This is so disheartening,

This is so disheartening, especially after living through a lock out of my own last year.
I totally support the teachers and their right to strike. I have two kids and they deserve a decent education. The gov't needs to cough it up for our future.

Union & teachers being bullied about??

After reviewing the stiff penalties/fines the bill calls for, I wonder if Abbott and Clark will be wearing pink today?

I'm of the opinion doing so might be considered somewhat hypinkocritical...

How about BCTF?

a) If you want more revenue to government, then have a tax increase referendum?

b) If you want to whine about fines, then don't strike?

c) If you want MORE, then make the case for MORE confiscating the wealth of others in a time of tight budgets and economic recovery.

Revenues and Wedge issues

The school/university/college and health care budgets are amongst the highest proportion of the Provincial budget, they require steady revenues to pay increasing costs each year. Revenue streams to the Province are down, because of lower corporate tax revenues, less revenue from the forest sector, and likely an insufficient rent rate collectable from natural resources such as oil, gas, and likely too less revenues available due to foolishness at BC Hydro. Something has to give. Obviously the BC Liberasls have chosen to keep corporate tax rates and natural resource rents where they are in the hope that strategy will encourage the economy, and when increased costs arise either cut back or provide zero wage increases to public servants such as teachers., judges, other civil servsnts. It is an untenable situation - something has to give. Obviously Ms. Clark perceives this as a wedge issue with the NDP, and it is: The frsme offered by Clark is "Workers right to stroke and negotiate their collective agreement sanctioned by international law, versus kids education. The BC NDP needs to reframe that wedge to their benefit and I am sure they will under Adrian's astute leadership. Good luck to the teachers!

12,000 students are signing

12,000 students are signing up to go off on strike on Friday. My flippant question is; do they have to give 48 hours notice and if they do, to whom?

I agree with crh; all

I agree with crh; all teachers over 55 should retire right now, don't wait until the end of June.

I was just wondering; what

I was just wondering; what percentage of the education budget goes to private schools? You know those schools, like the one that our dear and beloved Premier's son goes to.

Have a "tax increase referendum"?

This is the type of nonsense I expect from a Christy Fan. Let's have a referendum on setting priorities for all government spending. Let's have a referendum before we spend a half billion dollars on a stadium roof. Let's have a referendum on a billion dollars for smart meters? Oh no, but let's have a referendum on whether we give teachers the tools to educate and it becomes a "tax increase referendum"?

@Skywalker

If we can have a referenda to repeal the dreaded HST, why not a referenda to install the taxes to pay for schools?

By the way, VanderZalm wants a referenda on Smart Meters. Oh and the stadium roof was meant to be a loan.

We're not a bottomless money pit. It's time the BCTF put their demands on the ballot or accepted the system that we deserve.

Because NetZeroFair/ChristyFan/BCOrder/ JosefK...

...It starts with a false assumption that a tax increase is the only option. So it is a spin question. The HST is still here and not sure what your point is but I suspect you don't really have one. As I recall the HST was "sold" with the BS line that it was to protect our social programs. We know what the money was destined for. It is all about government priorities. Educating our kids vs. tax cuts and favours for the rich and privileged..

Because NetZeroFair/ChristyFan/BCOrder/ JosefK...

...It starts with a false assumption that a tax increase is the only option. So it is a spin question. The HST is still here and not sure what your point is but I suspect you don't really have one. As I recall the HST was "sold" with the BS line that it was to protect our social programs. We know what the money was destined for. It is all about government priorities. Educating our kids vs. tax cuts and favours for the rich and privileged..

We're not a bottomless money

We're not a bottomless money pit. It's time the BC Liberals stopped acting like a corporation and started acting like a government... you know, that political body that is supposed to have the best interest of it's citizens at heart.

Good luck to the student protestors this Friday, best wishes for a massive turnout

Well Skywalker...

Perhaps you're talking to me or not.

But I'm going to ask since you seem to think its false to raise taxes... what would you cut?

Please remember a removal of a tax cut IS a tax increase.

Outcomes

In the country judged best in the world for educational outcomes, Finland, teachers are paid, treated and respected on par with doctors and lawyers.

There are 9 or 10 applicants for each teacher training spot.

They do almost everything different there and achieve unrivaled greatness. Time for a complete rethink here?

NetZeroFair

"If we can have a referenda to repeal the dreaded HST"

Referenda is the plural form of "referendum" - guess you need to go back to school!

Pirate Code

Clark and Abbott have used a page from the pirate code "the beatings will continue until the morale improves"

A removal of a tax cut in one sector ...

...is a tax reduction for another. Think of a water bed. As I said it is all about BC Lieberal spending priorities over the years that have led to this. You don't even understand the basics and now I am suppose to engage you in a discussion of what to cut so you can go off on another tangent. Education is a priority and should have been all along. Only getting rid of all those lying liberals will be the short-term solution and then we will see.

Stewart, then Skywalker...

Stewart: That's a cheap shot and you know it.

Skywalker: So tax hike here is tax cut there. Only when "revenue neutral" or "net zero".

I see you don't want to cut spending or raise taxes. Total nonsense.

I guess until such time as I see what taxes the BCTF & their fans want to hike or what current and/or future spending to cut the BCLibs are just smarter than the Tyee commentariat. Why am I not surprised?

A water bed principle is a complicated principle.

It requires explaining for some. Less weight on one side lowers the rest of the bed. More weight on another raises the rest of the bed. Because taxes are used to cover expenditures then it follows that if one pays less of a share, another pays more and vice versa. It is not necessarily about raising taxes but it is about everyone paying their fair share. Until that is established you suggestion that we have a referendum would be pure political BS.

Skywalker...

So let me get this straight:

a) You want to cut tax burdens on consumers...
b) You want to add to the tax burden on corporations proportionally...
c) You also want to add more education spending...

Sorry but buddy your waterbed spin is spin. More costs require more money to pay, period.

Just like Falcon's Budget Consultation...

...You are trying the same thing. The restrictions you place on your attempt are of your own design. You think anybody is going to respond to your rigged, hypothetical game. I mean really, you don't understand how a waterbed functions and you don't understand how needless expenditures add to the tax burden. I think you need to add the word "waste" to your handle or spend your energy defending Mitt Romney .

Designated children

I have been a farmer for 28 years, my wife has been a teacher for about that long. My work is hard but my wife works far harder than I do. One of the most difficult things about teaching now is the number of designated children in already crowded classrooms (fetal alcohol, autistic children and kids with undiagnosed learning difficulties). She has an Educational Assistant but only for the most extreme cases and in kindergarten she was often the one who had to do the detective work on the diagnosis.
For Mr Abbott to say this is not an issue defies logic. I assume he said it for a reason. I am pretty sure most teachers in the province would forego any pay raise to have teaching/learning conditions dealt with.
Abbott knows that. He should spend a day in my wifes school.

@NetZeroFair

The best laid plans of mice and men. Or is that monkeys? According to your philosophy with all of the great tax reductions given to the corporate sector in the last (Liberal) 10 years we should have new business flocking to our province, competing with each other to hire the many skilled workers that used to be on the NDP Dole.

Was it not Gordo that made the mistake of believing that the extra corporate profits offered by the Liberals would end up as a benefit to the people of BC?

Because of all the cuts by the Liberals over the last 10 years we know that it wasn't overspending that made the province broke. Income tax has not been reduced enough to have caused this great problem either. So I must ask Where did the money go? Why are we broke? Who is to blame? and what should we do about it?

I suggest that we call an election now, get rid of the fools that have put us in this financially ruined position and start running this province like the society it is and not like a business undergoing a hostile takeover.

The money is here, we need only keep it instead of giving it away.

Skywalker, then rantnic

Skywalker: Keep babbling like an Occupy supporter. I've had enough. If you want new spending, pay for it. If you want tax relief, cut spending.

Rantnic: Which brings me to you. I'm sure the extra corporate profits like new jobs, new infrastructure and the 2010 Olympics were awfully good. BTW, the reason BC is broke is because of the global recession that is reducing revenues while demands for spending rise. End of.

NetZeroFair/ChristyFan/BCOrder/ JosefK...

Has left the building!

Still here.

Still here.

Since you don't want voters to decide how to pay for the BCTF priorities and want to play waterbed while adding new costs until the bed explodes I decided to make things simple.

CHristy stole the H from Hypocrite

It's funny how she has gutted the education system in B.C. with a laundry list of cutbacks, then has the gaul to claim that teachers are going to be putting children at risk by taking legal job action. We shall see if educators take the action now that a raise isn't in the cards ... CHILDREN FIRST or the future of Canada will resemble the clueless Americans of Rick Mercer fame.

Priorities

@NetZeroFair Your concept of economics is extremely oversimplified and you don't seem to understand that spending is about priorities. Under the current governing party BC has become bankrupt, there is nothing left in the bucket. That is entirely due to setting the wrong priorities and really poor governance. Hmmm let's see. I need to give back to this corp who gave me this much $$$$$$$ for my campaign how about our medical record system? Then I have to give this much to another friend who gave me positive reviews in the media more $$$$$$$$, then we have to have a really big party called the Olympics more $$$$$$$$, oooh and then I need a legacy, how bout a fabric roof that cost $$$$$$$$, ooooh then I have to cover my ass for accepting this other bribe $$$$$$$$. And I want my friends to have BC Rail cause they will make lot's of money WE DID! Shit now I'm broke and forgot to pay for the essential services we need to run the place. Somehow I'll get out of this mess ooooh I know sell off assets and starve the proletariat and make them pay, next I will create a massive tax increase for the stupid tax payers called the HST. But I have to be very careful they ever get wind of the truth, that's save my butt. I have to remember to lie about that plan during the election tho....oh my so many lies I forget where it all started. Woopsy!

It's all about priorities my friend and nothing more!

@irth1st

Fair enough.

So you'd quash the Olympics and not extend the BC Place roof loan.

But hey, the sale of BC Rail increased revenues.

Selling off assets help provides ONE TIME shots of revenue and reduces government responsibilities to help gov't prioritize.

The repeal of the HST just makes funding public education that much harder. Perhaps a vote on a tax increase only makes sense.

@NetZeroFair

"But hey, the sale of BC Rail increased revenues."

That sale increased revenues for the American buyers while eliminating the revenues that would have fed the BC government coffers out of those profits.

Yes have an election so that someone with more than half a brain can replace CHristy and properly address the problems without making the poor poorer.

DOH

@NetZeroFair

@NetZeroFair Here is a basic economy lesson for you just in case your willing to learn.

Selling assets is selling capital...capital makes us money. No asset, no capital=no income.

Do we need a new roof when child poverty is the highest in Canada? Have you bothered to notice that despite the recession, chartered banks are making record profits. What on earth don't you get? Private enterprise doesn't re-invest their profits by doing earthquake retrofits on old schools. They put it where they can make a 10% return or more on profitable investments. If these private enterprises are given tax credits who pays the taxes to fix the schools? Also why are tax payers funding private schools up to 30% of private school financial needs. Private schools have tuitions between $10 000 -$18 000/per student per/year. Do you think parents who can afford that price of tuition need a subsidy? Do you understand that those subsidies are coming out of funds that USED to go towards public schools that contain children with parents who may only make $18 000 or less a year? What don't you get about the math and priorities? At least you do understand one thing NetZeroFair "selling of assets helps provide ONE TIME revenue. DOH

@irth1st

It's clear what you want.

I disagree.

Free enterprise is good.

At least you want to shred the private school subsidy at a time when MORE parents want private schooling, punish business for being successful and would certainly join with me in not having done the BC Place roof - even as a loan.

Now I just wish your lot would just put a corporate tax increase on the ballot to pay for your demands. Why can't you guys have the gumption to do that?

Perhaps my friend Alise was right Monday that she never could blame the NDP for Vikileaks because the NDP don't have much guts...

No problem with parents who WANT private schools

Just don't use my tax dollars to fund them.

A successful public school system providing education for all at public cost is the price we pay for a decent civilized and well-educated society.

Anyone who wants to go back to the bad old days is both ignorant and, frankly, lacking in moral fibre.

There should not even be a debate about this issue - it is simply good fundamental public policy to invest and keep investing in excellent public schools and well-paid and respected teachers.

No sense I mean cents

NetZeroUnfair You make no sense. Where is your data that more parents want private schooling? If a business is to be successful they should do this on their own dime. The liberals put a corporate tax increase on the table for next years budget or did you miss that?

My lot just wants a government to represent the average person, not big corporations (they can't vote) and to be honest. And you have obviously put your blinders on to the proven HST lies. Vikileaks this guy didn't even know what his own bill contained. Thank god someone had the guts to get the info out. If a business is successful they don't need help from poor people who don't get tax credits or seniors who can only get a tax credit if they have enough retirement income to pay for renovations. Solid profitable business's don't need government welfare. Thanks it's been a gas!

Just one thought

"Free enterprise is good."

Since when has it been free? Free enterprise always comes at a cost or there is no profit in it.

The banks all ran away from our dear province when that draconian bank tax was introduced did they not? There was still great profits for them to make so they stayed, just as they would should that tax be reintroduced. The reintroduction of that tax would be "real" wealth creation for the people of BC.

G West, then irth1st

G West: Fine. Keep throwing more money at the schools, that's a valid position.

irth1st: Where we part ways is that the public system can't work for every child without either reform (which the BCTF opposes) or competition. My lot wants a strong community and a strong free enterprise system. Sky high taxes quash both (BC NDP) as do low taxes and cronyism as do social conservatism + economic libertarianism (BC Cons).

Let me just say if you people in the BCTF want higher taxes - then get a referendum to make that so. Show some guts!

Missing the point

The really big issue with this legislation is not the pay as much as it is the stripping of teachers rights in the classroom. The provisions to remove numbers on class sizes and composition are completely unfair to the special-needs students (who won't get the extra attention they need), the normal students (who won't get to learn in a proper environment, and the teachers (who will not be able to cope with both teaching and discipline for the giant class sizes ). Furthermore, the legislation strips seniority from the teacher's contracts, and makes it so the the principal can hire/fire at will, which will only lead to nepotism and corruption in the school system. How is that in any way fair for the students or the teachers, the former of whom may have to deal with a slew of different teachers, and the latter of which have no job security? This is way more than the issue a simple wage increase, this is an attack by the BC Liberals on human rights, because if the BC Liberals are able to crush the BCTF, there will be nothing stopping them from crushing the other unions as well.

BCTF doesn't contribute to the NDP

Sooke, please stop repeating misinformation about the BCTF making political contributions. It does not, and never has, contributed money to the NDP, as tempting as this might be. You are only undercutting your own already poor credibility by doing so.

Union provides and helps inner city schools

There are some of you here who really don't get unions and why they are essential to keep crooks away from turning everyone into slaves. Because as far as they - and their profit - is concerned everyone should just work for minimum wage and shut up.
Unions keep the balance and hence the reason government want to bust them.

Many inner city schools in Vancouver are getting financial help from unions - mostly paying for meals for kids who come to school hungry because their parents work for minimum wage.

How nice that is for a rich country such as Canada.

It is a shame!

BC is pretty unique in that

BC is pretty unique in that there are thousands of international students attending public schools. If they are not a resident or citizen they are paying big bucks to sit next to your child in a public school classroom. Where does this money go? Why are kids using textbooks from the 80s? Why are the novels falling apart at the seams? Why do some of the kids I tutor have nothing but photocopy after photocopy rather than textbooks?
I would be interested in seeing a detailed account of where this "tuition" from international students is going, because apparently the teacher who has 30 students comprised of 10 ESL, 5 special needs and 15 native English speaking students isn't getting paid a dime more for the task of dealing with such a mixed group.

What is going on???

this way to the gallows...

To pass it in a hurry would require the NDP to co-operate, Clark said. "We need the NDP and the teachers' union to step back from the cliff a little bit and decide they want to be responsible about this," she said. "We can't do it alone."

read: we're trying to put a noose around your neck. would you please stop struggling?

Get all the facts

1. Just like in 2005 our local Municipal workers just received a raise, despite almost all Municipalities in the Lower mainland vastly overspending
2. Imgine advertising your private school advertising class sizes of 30 kids
3. If BCPESA wants to save money, amalgamate districts and get rid of most of the administration and put the money where the kids get the benefits
4. This government has no Political recipe. Like the US Republicans it caters to special interest groups only
5. If you think they have just destroyed Education go visit a Hospital. How many people would clean toilets well in a Hospital for $10 per hour. Again get rid of the bueaucracy.
6. What kind of Government picks fights with Judges, Teachers and Paramedics.
7. Why aren't we copying Finland the number 1 School system in the world the last 10 years. Small classes with 2 teachers per class. Kids start school at 7 and they stream paths in high school.
8. How do you promote jobs and yet cut funding to the trades program.9. What they have done to BC Hydro is even worse with the PPL Run of River projects. Buying electricity at $100/kwh and selling at between $35 and $60 when you can produce electricity at $5/kwh.

Fii

I would be interested in seeing a detailed account of where this "tuition" from international students is going,

If the history of schooling is any indication, the money is systematically redirected to serve the supporting bureaucracy and policy objectives of compulsory schooling itself:

1. on the converging school system where smaller, more easily accessible (walking distance) schools have been shut down;

2. into the newer, 'quality schools' where they are full-service stops -- all having football pitches, decked out cafeterias, gymnasiums, audio-video centres, etc -- particularly if you place yourself into a 'quality' neighbourhood;

3. to the bus services that transport children from 50+ miles away to accommodate the central school building;

4. to contracts and the necessary offices for bureaucratic administrators, and assistant administrators, and non-teaching principals and vice-principals;

5. to counsellors and their needs to deal with these ever increasing numbers of broken children - the children we literally re-construct within this designed, institutional framework for mass schooling;

6. to the medical nurses and staff whom diagnosis our designed unfit;

7. to the security systems and staff which ensure the children we turn over to state regulated guardians for a dozen-plus years are 'safe';

8. to large, multi-tired maintenance and repair trades which are extremely inefficient; and, of course,

9. to the marketing of our wonderful school system and its ability to prepare anyone for the right job (predominantly a wage-slave position where no 'schooling' is even needed).

When real education is not the focus of compulsory schooling, and it most definitely is not, no amount of money is going to fix it.

Again, this is not anti-educator. They are the largely noble, democratic conduit that interacts with our youth. But they are put in an unbearable position, some of it recognized by themselves as they gain experience, and plenty of it which is missed due to the steadily propagandised cultural myth surrounding the institution itself.

Progressive taxation as a solution

In the last ten years, Canada has seen an increase of billionaires go from 25 to over 50. In 2008, when over 400 000 middle/lower income Canadians lost their jobs and the economy world wide started its current spiral, the top 3% (in Canada) increased their wealth by 7%. (StatsCan)

An economist can (but shouldn't have to) tell you that concentrating vast amounts of wealth in one group or person's bank account impacts an economic system negatively: too much pie on one person's plate. Not enough dough circulating in the system hurts everyone (except the billionaires themselves). Anyone saying otherwise is either brainwashed or disingenuous.

Non-regulation of wealth accumulation is what has caused the global economic downturn. Lehman Bros. is just an example. Canadian company Suncorp's billion dollars in profits (for one quarter) is another. Suncorp is a wealth managing firm. They make nothing - not cars, not medicine, not shoes... A billion in profit to make nothing. How much of that money is still in the CDN economy? How much is in offshore bank accounts? We don't know because even though tax evasion is illegal, the federal government doesn't apply its own laws.
We need a progressive taxation system where, the "rich can help" (Obama). Without regulation, those at the top simply won't give back. The only solution they have to economic turmoil is 'lower taxes' and 'less government.' These solutions are what have gotten us into this economic mess in the first place. Economies need regulation to succeed.

Even Federal Minister Flaherty and the head of the Bank of Canada - now head of IMF - have recently asked successful businesses to spend some of the money they have made in Canada the last ten years - "its time for business to invest" (Flaherty).

To no avail.

Though Canada has made itself an excellent place to make a profit (17% CDN federal tax vs. the US 35% and France 49% and Germany 51%), businesses won't 'give back'. A Business mindset doesn't allow it. As an aside, is that why so many in the business community distrust teachers when they say 'we want better learning conditions more than a wage increase?' They judge teachers by their own moral compass, and therefore don't believe in altruism.

Our government needs to reassess the taxation system they have burdened the vast majority of Canadians with. Those with the most need to give back the most. And they won't unless a strong government requires them to do so, by enacted, enforced law.

We need a government which will implement a progressive taxation system to reinvigorate our economies. Its the only solution to the profoundly troubling social problems we now face. And its the only way we can afford a world class Public Education system. After all, even if we don't give teachers a raise, educating people - and doing it well - still costs.

Good question igbymac

I was told (from a very reliable source) that in the district where I work (Lower Mainland), the principal authorized the purchase of iPhones for each administrator and a class set of iPads, etc with the money they received from international students. The money did stay with the school, but it was entirely at the discretion of the principal.

Now, get this. The iPads still have not been used because the wifi doesn't even work at that school. Plus, a replacement phone was purchased out of the account because one of the administrators dropped their phone and broke it.

All from a very reliable source from within that office.

hiateach

Thank you for your perspective on progressive taxation. This is precisely the policy that we need to examine. Everyone your simply wasting your time with NetZeroUnfair...only in your wildest dreams that we'll see the Lieberals as we know them today EVER form a government again. When the next government is formed we'll see where the money went, to whom and if indeed several transactions were legal. A full public inquiry will be launched into the sale of BC Rail and some of those lieberal clowns may even go to jail for their actions. The hens are coming to roost my friend. The wicky wacky economics implemented by the Lieberal puppets will be exposed.

baby sitting it is.

AS a special educator my wife's passing rate has dropped from 95% to 40%. Her caseload has tripled during the same time. The increased need for social services after school will more than eat up the the 275 million a year saved by eliminating class size.

so we just warehouse them until they can't qualify for anything and then put them on the street. Laise Faire it is.

Of course maybe we shoudl forget about teaching them and just pay for baby sitting. Oops, can't do that. BC law says that you have to pay a babysitter $5/hour for every child they look after. Since the averave teacher sees 200 kids a day that menas we'd have to pay them $1000. More than double what they are earning now. but at least this way they wouldn't have to worry about having to try to teach them. All the elite will go to fully subsidized private school and the less fortunate get to earn $2/day just like the rest of the world. Via La Revolution!!

Curious

Well, not exactly. During the past few election campaigns the BCTF ran multi-million dollar ad campaigns against the Libs for the benefit of the NDP.

And individual teacher associations, which comprise the BCTF, donate to the NDP.

http://contributions.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/pcs/SA1ASearchResults.aspx?Contributor=teacher&PartySK=0&Party=(ALL)&DateTo=&DateFrom=&DFYear=&DFMonth=&DFDay=&DTYear=&DTMonth=&DTDay=

Kinda splitting hairs, n'est pas?

Yet even during the 1990's, the NDP guvmint legislated the BCTF back to work. To quote one then NDP cabinet minister: "The BCTF is left and hard left" in terms of their instransigent ways.

BTW, the BCTF executive def need some real education in collective bargaining 101.

Zero wage increase mandate. So the NDP would give the BCTF a wage increase that would add another $1 billion+/ annum to the current ~$1.5 billion deficit?

And with "Me too" clauses in other public sector union contracts, additional $billions in annual deficit added?

So the annual deficit now would be perhaps $4 billion under the NDP instead of $1.5 billion?

And you can add $billions more on top of that annual deficit with all of the promises that Dix has spouted.

And the economic/government revenue generators that the BC NDP (and some BCTF locals) are opposing in BC. Just plain dumb.

Reminds me of the lead-up to the 1983 provincial election. The Socreds were low in the polls, Bennett had low approval ratings, and Dave Barrett promised to nix the 6% and 5% public sector wage caps. The BC NDP vote then began to collapse during the election campaign as a result.

Shell Game

Don't for one minute think that $8300 is an increase. You have to start reading how they keep changing the game.

Remember:
1. All costs for heating and maintenance and repair come out of the increases. Are you spending less, even the same on YOUR energy?

2. All textbook and library costs come out of this increase. Hmm. Do you know HOW MUCH a textbook costs now? That cost continues to increase.

3. All technology costs come out of this "increase". Well, the latest that I read from the "Premier's Technology Council" was that students would be learning from smartphones and iPads and smartboards because they are the way of the future. Ahem, have you priced out an iPad lately? Then, go figure, the school has to pay to figure out how to get the WiFi to work.

I have just explained the TIP of the iceberg for costs. Per student funding makes it sound very neat and AS IF all the money follows the student around. Nice Try.

All of us have to maintain the structure in which we live and pay for all of the technology we deem to be essential AND IT HAS ALL GONE UP IN PRICE.

Education would be MUCH cheaper if we didn't have to pay for CARBON TAXES and ALL THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY which gets outdated in a very short period.

Please don't get caught up in the propaganda about how education funding is going up. It is definitely NOT going to your average classroom.

The stripping of human rights

Yes, Wake Up.... and right on!

We are indeed witnessing the intentional diversion of funding away from the supporting beams of our public school education.

I also mightily agree with 'one2the' when he/she says: that this is more than simply a wage increase issue but that it "is an attack by the BC Liberals on human rights".

The dismantling of the sovereignty of this country is dependent upon the dismantling of the empowering human rights of its citizens.

That's the real educational lesson of this dispute and at the heart of so many others - the loss of human rights in this country masked as a simplistic debate about economics.

Without human rights, we will never have a successful/good/genuine economy (as BC's infamous highest child poverty rate clearly reveals)....nor will we have a successful/good/genuine education system.

This is a full on assault by the BCLiberal Bullies against the collective bargaining process. Mr. Abbott is resurrecting the same shameful role he played in demolishing the rights of health care workers.

Bravo to the teachers! Fie on The Bullies!

lynn

That's the real educational lesson of this dispute and at the heart of so many others - the loss of human rights in this country masked as a simplistic debate about economics.

Agreed. We have a Constitution/Charter full of human rights. So where the hell did they go? Obviously the government has felt compelled to abandon such ideals. Either it is too weak to protect them or too tyrannical to care.

Still, it can always be counted on some sort of screw-ball Orwellian Newspeak about economics or safety (often for the kids), the starting pitchers in its propaganda bullpen. This article simply illustrates another example of the same.