eNorthernBC Blogs

Page: 1, 2, 3

(25 items) Page 1 of 3

Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 8:12:56 PM

Bye-Bye Ray of Hope
Well,
Vince Ready has declared a stalemate as the two sides are too far apart to come to terms. Interesting, the last I heard we (the teachers) had offered to forgo bargaining as long as some class size limits were ammended into the school act, as well as criteria for specialist teachers etc. We also talked of a wage increase of 0, 2 and 3 (not exactly positive on the numbers, but I believe that's close).

So...I think that counts as willingness to move on our side. We wanted free and fair bargaining rights,(repealing Bill 12), but seeing as that doesn't seem to be possible we were willing to give it up in the name of enshrining some langauage in the school act about class size. Also pretty substansive movement on the wage area as well. Down from the initial bargaining of 15% (which I'm sure any teacher would tell you was just a traditional bargaining ploy. No one expected that). But I don't beleive the government would move at all (now on this I could be wrong as I have little info on this, but I'll add any that I come across).

Two things tonight...Why could the government talk with the HEU when they were on an illegal strike, but cannot talk to teachers?

The second is what does the government want to happen at this stage? From all indications this could be leading to a general strike. I can't believe there is anyone out there who wants that. The last time we had a general strike was 1983, and BC was in the midst of a pretty serious recession. How can you explain a general strike when the BC economy seems to be flying high with the price of resources, giving tax cuts to business, giving the MLAs wage increases etc...
All I can come up with is that Gordo and his Liberals would like nothing more than to break the union movement. Why push this towards a general strike if you have the means of averting it? A general is no good to the workers, to business, or to the economy, as the ripples of it will be felt for a some time. How much less will people spend at Christmas if they are recovering from a general strike? I don't want to believe that even Gordo thinks that a general strike is a price BC should pay to crush the labour movement.

If anyone has answers or ideas about what the government is thinking at this time I'd love to hear them

Keep those fingers crossed for some miraculous save this weekend. We are quickly coming up to week 3 of the strike, something needs to give somehow.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 10:39:26 AM

comments (0)

Week 2 of the Wildcat Strike
Well, I said from the beginning that it would be the mid to end of the second week before some talks began with us hopefully returning to work early next week.
The appointment of Vince Ready gives us some hope that some sort of agreement can be reached. (I still can't see how as the government will not negotiate while we are on an 'illegal' strike.) Still, some talk is better than none at all.

I heard on the news that the crown prosecutors of BC would not be part of any criminal contempt charges against teachers. They claim that they would be biased as they are currently taking the government to court for "bargaining in bad faith" (sound familiar?). Apparantly, the government has ignored two instances of binding arbitation and created a law that imposes a contract on the prosecutors (hmmm....)

So, I'm fairly upbeat. I can't see how this impasse can end, but there are at least motions in that direction.

A big thank-you to the Kersley Coffee Clutch (Clatch?) for their invitation to partake in their coffee, tea, cookies and muffins today. It's nice to feel the community support as we walk the line.

Tomorrow I'm on the line from 1-4 at Helen Dixon, so if your driving by give a honk of support, those are always much appreciated

It will be interesting to be in a more visible location. Wonder what kind of support we will have downtown?
Still hoping for an speedy end to this dispute

Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 11:50:20 PM

comments (0)

weekend Rambling Thoughts
Well, I certainly don't know how this is going to end. I know that the government is continually spouting out that they will not negotiate with teachers while they are on an illegal strike. I don't see how painting yourself into a corner will do any good in this situation. Pretty much the exact opposite of what you want to do in a conflict resolution situation. (which tells me that the government does not want to actually resolve the situation). It is now set up as a win or lose situation, doesn't appear to be any compromise possible. Either the teachers win, and some form of negotiation takes place, or the government wins and the teachers get crushed under the imposed contract and the hammer of "law."

Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 11:49:43 PM

comments (0)

Weekend Rambling thoughts 2
One thought I had this weekend was that last time around when the provincial Liberals legislated us back to work, ripped out class size language, and made us an essential ser vice, they kept explaining that teachers still had a right to strike. Under essential service designation it was up to the labour board to decide upon the definition for essential service in education, and what a strike for teachers could look like. The labour board does not seem to want to do explain what level of educational service is essential (my perspective is that they are uncomfortable with the essential service designation pertaining to a service that does not immediately impact on life and limb).
Anyway, this time around after over a year without a contract the teachers had a game plan that would meet the labour boards ruling, but before the labour board came out with their decision, legislation was drafted to impose another contract on us, with the ominous idea that they wanted to "fix" the bargaining system.
So now the labour board is saved the difficult task of defining what a teacher strike could look like, the teachers have no ability to lauch a legal strike, and I imagine that the "fixed" bargaining structure would ensure that teachers would not be able to effectively bargain again.

The other thought that I've had since the talk of the strike began has been about money. We can get into all sorts of talk about teachers being underpaid, overpaid, whiny, noble, etc...
in the end I know one thing about teachers. If this strike were about money we would not be on the picket line. The 15% number gets bandied around because that is really the only thing that the BCTF could put forward under the new rules of bargaining. Class size, class composition, these are now non-bargaining issues (something that the Liberals changed in the last imposed contract). The BCTF could not talk about working conditions at the bargaining table, or they would be considered to be bargaining in bad faith, so that left only salary.
The reasons that teachers are on strike are mainly three fold: we want to maintain the ability to collectively bargain our contracts. I know that the Liberals use of the Legislature to pass Bill 12 felt more like a personal attack on the teachers than the measured and thoughtful reasons that need to go into creating a law. (I still am a little in awe. They created a law to deal with administrivia. As important as I feel the teachers contracts are, is it necessary to have a provincial law deal with them. Until Bill 12 the job action we had taken was minor and really had no effect on the school system)
I know some people will berate me for this, but it doesn't feel like a democracy when the government can say that you are not allowed to freely bargain about issues that directly impact your job. I think that this is what is keeping most of the teachers on the line. The feeling that it is unjust to hand down an edict from on high that takes any ounce of power from a group of people.

Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 11:48:49 PM

comments (0)

Weekend Rambling thoughts3
We want better working conditions (yes, better working conditions for us = better learning conditions for students). Preventing teachers from talking about working conditions at the bargaining table has added more noble fuel to the fire. It is the truth that teachers do care, and that we want to see things improve in our schools. The disregard this government has shown towards building a strong public system has added more righteous determination to stand up to them.

And yes finally salary. I think on this issue you will find the biggest split among the teachers (ironic because this is the issue that most people end up talking about). Some teachers feel the need for more pay, some do not, but I can tell you that without the first two issues you would not be seeing this "illegal" strike. Pay is an issue, but I do honestly believe that it is the least of the three. Without Bill 12, without the inability to bargain about class sizes, pay alone would not be enough to get the teachers out of the classroom and onto the picket line.
Teachers are really quite a conservative lot. The easiest thing for us to do would be to shut up, march back into the classroom, collect our pay, and do our work. For most of us we enjoy our jobs, we want to be in the classroom. The fact that we are striking should send a huge flag, that there is something seriously wrong.

So we will start the 2nd week of our job action. I am cheered by the support I feel from the people I talk to, and I am honoured by those unions that are willing to stand with us. But, I am disheartened that we have come to this stage. The fact that two sides with opposing philosophies cannot find some compromise is a wake-up call for me that our comfortable life in Canada can be shaken so easily. I believe in the rationality of man. To be part of an conflict (and even though I feel our cause is just) that cannot be settled with patience, compromise, and clear thought seems like failure. In a world that holds no shortage of difficulties and horrors, I am still surprised that we work at creating more.

Come Monday I will be walking the strike line still, heartened by any action taken in Victoria, my resolve still strong to see this through, but heart heavier that we as a people are not better than this.

I hope someone far smarter than I am can see a way through this. We seem to be on a collision course and neither side will turn away.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 10:43:41 PM

comments (0)

Fines Kick in Tomorrow

Thought I'd give everyone a little insight into the whole teachers despute from the perspective of someone who is out walking the line.
The first is that we overwhelmingly want to be back in the classroom. If the government would sit down with us and bargain in good faith, we would be back in classes as quickly as possible.
The second is frustration. Being caught in the Liberal spin cycle is maddening.
Two things:
I just watched Mike Dejong on the National and he keeps harping that the parties met 35 times and could agree on nothing. Well...not quite true. The BCTF met with BCPSEA (British Columbia Public School Employers' Association) which is the government's agent in dealing with the teachers. We didn't actually meet with the government themselves, which seems like splitting hairs, but when BCPSEA has a mandate from the government that allows for a "net zero" increase (gotta love the language..how can you have net zero and increase in the same sentence..sure you can bargain, but it can't cost us anything more), how much of an agent of bargaining are they. Is that bargaining in good faith?
The other..deJong again (but Campbell has also said this) that they won't negotiate with teachers while on an illegal strike. They didn't want to bargain before the strike, so suddenly they do? And if they do want to bargain would it not makes sense to do so as soon as possible? (teachers on strike or no?) I enjoyed Bob Simpson's quote at the ralley downtown tonight. (Good turnout by the way, thanks for all the support)...(I'm paraphrasing, but this is the gist of what he said) This government has created a law that has forced normally upstanding law abiding citizens (that's us the teachers

) into a position in which they feel no option but to break the law.
I can tell you from my experience that teachers are bothered with the fact that we are officially on an illegal strike, but also that it shows the depth of our belief that we must stand firm now despite the bullying tactics from the government.
deJong on the National tonight also asked how teachers are going to have a discussion in the future with students, if one of them comes up and says that he feels Canada's drug laws are unjust (the implication being of course, that we were willing to break the law by disobeying Bill 12, so would we not be giving permission for this student to go smoke as much weed as he could as his demonstration of his belief)

Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 10:41:30 PM

comments (0)

Fines Kick in Tomorrow Part 2
Oops...must have been rambling. Couldn't fit onto one page:

Now...deJong's scenario could very well play out, but he forgot to go into detail about what the content of that conversation would actually be. The teachers I know would be more than game to sit down with said student and discuss the differences in the two actions, to debate the roles and responsibilities of a citizen in a democratic society (what we call a teachable moment

) It is those moments that students tend to remember when they have left school behind, not the 5 questions that they did from page 25 of the textbook. I can think of few better educational moments than having a discussion with students in which they are active participants and engaged in the subject. (This is what we strive to do in the course of a school day...get the students to become engaged, to become active participants in their own learning).
Well, I could continue to rant about a few things, but I'd rather touch on two last issues. To the elderly gentleman that fingered me as I was walking the line...I'd love to talk about why you felt so strongly that the teachers are in the wrong.
To the several parents that dropped off coffee and goodies in support, your backing helps ease the stress of this job action. Thank-you very much.
Love to have some comments and I'll try to keep you posted as to what happens as this unfolds.
Here's wishing for a speedy resolution to this rather ugly dispute

Monday, September 26, 2005 at 8:27:32 PM

comments (0)

Of chilly mornings and unaware drivers

Well, I've now ridden to work in the coldest weather thus far. Last week the weather network proclaimed it to be 1 degree. I slapped on my toque and hit the pavement. A surprisingly pleasant ride. I was bundled up enough so that my legs just felt slightly cold, and the toque kept me nice and toasty. Just as I came off the highway and passed the tennis courts I had my picture taken by a lady who was taking some landscapes shots of the fog and the mountains. Guess she liked the contrast of the bike with the toque. Gave her a smile and a wave as I rode by, and I know I made her day. Something to talk up with her friends as they huddle around a hot coffee.

The ride back home has been surprisingly pleasnt. Still a grunt up plywood, but I'm almost at the point that it is enjoyable (only takes about 10 minutes). The weather has been great. I love autumn: the smell, the crisp air and teh spectacular trees with their golden leaves. Could be my favourite season!

Today had my first semi altercation with a automobilist. Down by Save-on some guy obviously not paying attention turned left right in front of me, forcing me to lock up the brakes. I did the traditional yell and wave of the arms, only to see him stop fifty feet down the road and yell something back. Whatever...I kept on pedaling, but it reinforced my belief (just like when I was driving my motorcycle). You need to not just pay attention to riding your bike, but you need to drive everyone else's car as well. Always have to anticipate that someone driving is completely oblivious to their surroundings and has no idea that you are there.

Other than that, feel pretty good that I've stuck it out on the bike. Getting a new battery for the car though. It is time to make sure it is still running. Won't be too long before I have to trade in my 2 wheels for 4.

Keep signing the Terasen petition, and I'll see you on the road.

Monday, September 19, 2005 at 10:31:13 PM

comments (0)

Back pedaling until November
WEll, the summer is over and I''''''''m back on my bike to work. A little chillier ride this September, than in May and June

I feel pretty good. Not nearly as hard as riding was in the beginning, even with letting the bike sit all summer.
The fog has been a b*tch though

I''''''''ve tried to stay off the highway, but sometimes pedalling on those quiet streets is worse, as the buddies behind the wheel aren''''''''t looking for cyclists.
My wife bought me some snazzy bike gear from Mountain equipment (it''''''''s even all made in canada which is a nice little bonus. We try to buy as much canadian as possible, and refuse to shop at Wal-Mart...but that is another rant for another time;-)) so I''''''''m feeling pretty good as I pedal off in the morning and stay relatively warm and dry.

Been thinking about the probable sale of Terasen Gas to Kinder Morgan alot. If you haven''''''''t used the equesnel link http://www.equesnel.com/Terasen-Petition.asp to send in your comment, you should dust off your pen and write down your opinion. Judging from the letters received so far we are of all the same mindset....Are they Nuts? Why would we sell off our precious resources to an American Company. In whose brain is this a good idea? Doesn''''''''t seem like it will be a good outcome for the BC public?
Well, I''''''''ll keep pedalling until NOvember, when my wife returns to work, and it will begin to be too cold to ride. A friend would like to try an all year challenge. Ride your bike all year no matter what the weather. Interesting concept, but my better half isn''''''''t buying it. I''''''''ll stick to the insuring the car for only half a year.

So far I''''''''ve had 779 views of this blog. Not bad

Hopefully I''''''''ll keep going and not wuse out before NOvember ;-)

Keep driving safe, and remember to watch out for those cyclists. I''''''''ll see you on the road

Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 10:18:50 PM

comments (1)

The Big Weigh-IN

All right all you people hanging on the edge of your seats. I've been deluged by comments (well OK 2 comments, but considering before this I only had one on my blog before, that is a deluge

)to reveal my weigh-in.
Well after 2 months of bike riding about 120 kilometers a week, I feel in better shape, seem to have a little more bounce in my step, and yes have lost weight

Now I am not one of those people that see weight as the be all and end all. There are too many variables to use weight as your only measure of success (muscle mass, genetic disposition etc...) but it can be useful to give a quick insight into how an exercise program is going. With that understanding I'll reveal......
Checked on two seperate scales and the official weigh in is.................
205 lbs or 96.7 kilos
That is about 11 lbs lighter than when I started

Now I haven't changed my diet, as I said I would in some earlier posts, but I've still managed to drop off some extra weight (no wonder I'm getting faster on my bike).
I've now readjusted my goal and would like to break the 200 mark by the time I have to insure the car once again (November) That could prove more difficult over the summer as I can envision myself growing less rigorous in my devotion to getting on my bike.
I've decided to jazz up the exercise thing a bit this summer, and am going to try to follow a boxing regimine that I found in Outside magazine. Looked pretty straight forward, and could be a good change of pace. Besides, it gives me an excuse to buy a heavy bag

You know every guy wants one. Nothing like beating up on something that doesn't hit back to give you a little testosterone rush

So all, I'll keep you posted about the biking, and the stats of when I start my new exercise regimine.

Page: 1, 2, 3

(25 items) Page 1 of 3

Not "On the Road"