To Play or Not to Play is the Question
With a Strike Vote set for Sep 20-22, BC High School Hoops fans/players/coaches will be eagerly awaiting the result of the ballots this fall. This is our version of the "NHL Lockout" dispute that wiped out an entire season of play. A "YES" vote would pretty much dash the hoop dreams of many of our Province's best and brightest basketball stars.
So, what is this latest labor dispute all about?? Is it about the Quality of our Education? Is it about Job Security?? Wage increases??
None of the above, this impasse has more to do with Politics (Campbell's Liberals vs BC Teacher's Federation) than it is about Teachers, Students, and Education.
So what is the BCTF negotiating for:
- better classroom conditions (ie. lower student-teacher ratio, ie. more teacher jobs)
- better pay
- bargaining rights restored (ie. right to go on strike)
Well, Point #1 is really moot as classroom enrollments have been steadily declining, while the BC Government has been adding teachers to the payroll. Hmm, OK, what about better pay. Well, frankly, everyone wants better pay.
So that leaves us with the right to go on strike. Yes, the BCTF trump card, always has, always been, and always will be. Take away the right to strike and the teachers will have no more power (or so the BCTF has led it's members to believe).
So essentially, the Teacher's Union is going on strike to keep their right to strike. Campbell has locked the Union out to fragment it's members and take away the Union's right to strike by bringing to law "Education as an essential service". If you think that Campbell is out of his mind and will never win, remember that this exact legislation has already been passed into law in several provinces.
A Strike now would be a nasty piece of business. The last strike in 2001, although short, did irreparable damage to BC High School Athletics. A majority of Teacher Coaches did not return to coaching duties leaving a huge void that is felt to this day.
Let's hope that cooler heads prevail and we can put this behind us and focus on Hoops.
posted by BCSportsFanatic @ 9:26 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I've talked to more than a few teacher/coaches, some of whom are really incensed at the whole situation (still, even now several weeks after the strike is "over"). Main complaints were lack of respect, need for starting salary larger than mid-$30k (after 5 years of education!!!), it takes a long 12 years to go from starting salary to the mid-$60k final, and finally, coaches don't get paid.
I more or less agree with the respect comment, agree the starting salary should probably be in the low- to mid-$40k, but totally disagree with the last two complaints. Other professions would take just as long, 12-15 years, to go from beginning level (with a degree) to expert. And experts on the government payroll come in at around... where? About $55-70k, same as teachers.
The coaches not getting paid comment is just spoiled whining. Coaching is a volunteer activity; I enjoy it or I wouldn't do it. I volunteer for other things too, some I enjoy, others I just consider it my duty. The BCTF has managed to get it both ways - the hiring process cannot ask about extracurricular possibilities when they're hiring new teachers, and yet when the BCTF gets pissed off they quickly bring out the work-to-rule that cancels sports, bands, etc. What a crock.
Lots has been written about teachers - generally they're selfless, dedicated, etc. Those who coach and complain about it though should re-examine their purpose for living.
End of rant. And here's to teachers and coaches!
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