Crowd gathers to support Nelson Teachers during 'In Support of Public Education' rally
By Bruce Fuhr
Despite seeing its labour dispute with the government drag into another week, and appearing to be going nowhere, local teachers were joined by a large group of supporters at the Nelson and District Teachers’ Association “In Support of Public Education” rally Monday at the City Hall Courtyard.
“We had a good turnout despite the inclement weather,” said NDTA president Paul Boscariol following the rally.
“We had a lot people here, who were able to learn more about and understand the issues in this labour dispute.”
The rally is one of many going on throughout the province. In Trail and Castlegar members of the Kootenay/Columbia Teachers Association held separate rallies.
Boscariol emceed the rally that included speakers, Nelson/Creston MLA Michelle Mungall, retired Kootenay Lake School District Assistant Superintendent Alex Dergousoff, L.V. Rogers High School student Dunavan Morris-Janzen, activist Mary-Ann Morris and Seniors advocate Joan Richardt.
The rally attracted a cross-section of interest that included CUPE 748 workers, NDTA members, students and members of the public.
“We’re in this together. We’re in this for the long haul and we will . . . we will make a difference in this province,” Mungall told the crowd.
Richardt discussed with supporters a media report that explained how different the two sides — BC Teachers’ Federation and the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA), the bargaining agent for the BC Government — are in this dispute.
“The person made the comment that (this dispute) was not about just the money but also philosophy,” Richardt explained.
“And it seems to me the Christy Clark Liberal philosophy is that as long as they’ve got enough money to send their kids to private school, the rest of them don’t really matter.”
The labour dispute took a turn for the worse for teachers Sunday when veteran mediator Vince Ready decided not to enter the labour dispute that will save the government $168 million in unpaid wages if it drags on until the end of the month.
Some experts, including former NDP labour minister Moe Sihota and former B.C. Liberal finance minister Colin Hansen, have come out to say Ready opted out because the sides are too far apart.
“I don’t know if I would necessarily agree with that,” Boscariol said when asked about Ready’s decision.
“I find Minister Fassbender’s media messages are counterproductive,” he added. “When you start tracing things back, (bargaining) really didn’t start going sideways until Minister Fassbender started talking to the media all the time.
“Prior to that everything was behind the secure portals, members had the opportunity to view that information and it was kept under wraps like it should be.”
Teachers returned to picket lines this week.
Boscariol said the issues on the table, including wages, class size and composition, are too important for teachers to capitulate.
“This is a fight where we have to keep on going,” said Boscariol, adding the NDTA will attend Tuesday’s Kootenay Lake School Board meeting to voice their concerns to the trustees.
And what happens when the school term ends June 30?
“That hasn’t been decided yet,” Boscariol said.
“We don’t know what’s going to transpire between now and the (June) 30th . . . although the clock is ticking. But I’m sure over the next few days we’ll get some direction from the BCTF.”
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