BC Teachers

[no1important]

March planned in solidarity with B.C. teachers

Organized labour plans to take an unequivocal stand against the government of British Columbia Monday, with calls for workers to join in a massive demonstration of solidarity with the province's teachers.

"Monday, you're going to get a taste of what will happen in this province," Sinclair told reporters on Friday. "We think it's not our job to escalate this today, it's our job to set the goal of solving it this weekend.

"We're sending the message that if it's not solved this weekend there is a consequence."

The funny thing to me is, Campbell has been out of province during all this. :shake:

 

[justfred]

What could the government do if all of the teachers in a school division quit, on the same day? Could the school division fire them, no, the teachers do not work for them anymore, could they fine them, no, the teachers do not work for them anymore, could they fine the union, no, the teachers do not belong to the union anymore. Could the school divisions hire others, not if the teachers do not want to work. The next day another school division is faced with resignations. Each day, another school division is faced with no teachers.

What about the teachers from one area all apply for jobs in another area. Make the school boards go through a very long and lengthy process of offering the teachers jobs, but they will not take them, given the working conditions are that that bad. Cause the school divisions (which are a part of the provincial government) to go into complete disorganization and without teachers the government would get the message that they are not as in charge as they think they are.

I am not a union supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but these are some things that would do to tell the government that the teachers want a better deal.

 

[missile]

While I am Pro union and wish the teachers success in their negotiations,I also want the students to get the best possible education. We've gone through very difficult teacher's strikes hereand the ones who suffered the most are the children.It is up to the government to solve the problem & dollars may not be the answer.

 

[Uber mullet]

Re: RE: BC Teachers

I can't say I know anything about the particulars of this situation, but unionized government workers going on strike has always pissed me off. I don't see where the check is, or where the balance is to ever increasing wage demands. In the private sectors, with no unions, it is pretty simple: the marketplace dictates what your skills are worth to an organization. In the private sectors with unions, wage demands are kept in check by the companies need to be competitive and still maintain an acceptable profit margin. Where is that check with unionized government workers? What is the true value of their work? What is there to prevent the teachers (in this case) from demanding $150,000 in salary and striking to get it?

In a NON union private sector job, your employer dictates what you wage is! The labor code in B.C. does'nt help you either. I have heard that we have the highest minimum wage in the country, maybe but we also we have the highest cost of living in the country..........Back to the teachers.......
Even though I have school age children I hope the teachers stick it to the government. and end this.

 

[MMMike]

Re: RE: BC Teachers

In a NON union private sector job, your employer dictates what you wage is! The labor code in B.C. does'nt help you either. I have heard that we have the highest minimum wage in the country, maybe but we also we have the highest cost of living in the country..........Back to the teachers.......
Even though I have school age children I hope the teachers stick it to the government. and end this.

I work in a non union private sector job and I assure you my employer does not dictate my wage. I know exactly what value I bring to the party: either they pay me accordingly or I walk across the street to the numerous competitors. Its an open market - you are selling your skills and knowledge on the market.

 

[jeepers creepers]

Re: RE: BC Teachers

In a NON union private sector job, your employer dictates what you wage is! The labor code in B.C. does'nt help you either. I have heard that we have the highest minimum wage in the country, maybe but we also we have the highest cost of living in the country..........Back to the teachers.......
Even though I have school age children I hope the teachers stick it to the government. and end this.

I work in a non union private sector job and I assure you my employer does not dictate my wage. I know exactly what value I bring to the party: either they pay me accordingly or I walk across the street to the numerous competitors. Its an open market - you are selling your skills and knowledge on the market.

Fully agree MMMike. Praise to the union busters...or the late Ronald Reagan.

 

[no1important]

Well unions will shut Victoria down tomorrow and hopefully province by weeks end. ha At least in BC unions don't take crap. PLus with anti scab laws we don't have violence that is being seen in Brooks. If it was not for unions, even you non union people would be lucky to make Wal Mart wages.

 

[Uber mullet]

mmmike, you dictate your wage? As mentioned previously, your wage is affected by a UNION Wage, because if it was'nt you would be making minimum wage while your skills and knowledge would be making the owners richer. I used to be anti union untill I came to the realization that a union in the long run is better for both parties. Even in a union job the rules are in black and white, not grey or beneficial to the employer. It helps the employer by no wrongful dismisal suit's to worry about. Remember a union does'nt always mean more money, its protection from greedy owners.
Jeepers, by your little union busting comment go back and play with your "Dubya" doll.

 

[Andygal]

I am living in Residence at Uvic and they are going to shut down the cafeteria tomorrow. And some professors may not be working.

I support the BCTF trying to get smaller class sizes and better services for special neeeds kids (I was one myself so that's a pet issue of mine). But I wish this mess would end.

 

[MMMike]

mmmike, you dictate your wage? As mentioned previously, your wage is affected by a UNION Wage, because if it was'nt you would be making minimum wage while your skills and knowledge would be making the owners richer. I used to be anti union untill I came to the realization that a union in the long run is better for both parties. Even in a union job the rules are in black and white, not grey or beneficial to the employer. It helps the employer by no wrongful dismisal suit's to worry about. Remember a union does'nt always mean more money, its protection from greedy owners.
Jeepers, by your little union busting comment go back and play with your "Dubya" doll.

Uber, how is my wage affected by a "union wage"? There are really no similar positions that are unionized. Do you really not understand the concept of the job market? Maybe after you've worked in the private sector for a while you will understand.

 

[Reverend Blair]

I've worked in the private sector all of my life, MMMike. Except for a short stint (it went down with the mother company) at a place called Kroma Kolor, I've never worked in a union shop. I have never, not even as a self-employed contractor or a freelance writer, had a job where wages and benefits were not affected (for the better) by unions.

The threat of employees organising keeps business in line. Higher wages at union shops pushes non-union wages higher. Benefit packages exist because of unions. Vacation time, paid overtime, lunch and coffee breaks all come from unions.

Here comes the big one though. When I was contracting, many of my customers simply would not have been able to afford renovations if they were not in unions. They wouldn't have had the money and I wouldn't have had the business. Unions wages help to drive the economy in ways that would not be possible without them.

 

[missile]

I've worked in both private and the public sectors,and had nothing until I lucked into a unionized government job.So I put in my 30 some years and now am living on a pension equal to what i made in my best years. Where I previously worked there were no benefits and no retirement plan,and I'd have to work until the day I died just to survive. But,getting back to benefits from unions to the ordinary Canadian..how about the extra holidays they fought for and won?

 

[peapod]

<snip>

 

[MMMike]

Re: RE: BC Teachers

I've worked in the private sector all of my life, MMMike. Except for a short stint (it went down with the mother company) at a place called Kroma Kolor, I've never worked in a union shop. I have never, not even as a self-employed contractor or a freelance writer, had a job where wages and benefits were not affected (for the better) by unions.

The threat of employees organising keeps business in line. Higher wages at union shops pushes non-union wages higher. Benefit packages exist because of unions. Vacation time, paid overtime, lunch and coffee breaks all come from unions.

Here comes the big one though. When I was contracting, many of my customers simply would not have been able to afford renovations if they were not in unions. They wouldn't have had the money and I wouldn't have had the business. Unions wages help to drive the economy in ways that would not be possible without them.

So I guess bumping the minimum wage up to $30/hr would provide a massive boost to the econmy then? :roll: Artificialy high wages do not benefit the economy in the least, they just drive business elsewhere.

 

[bevvyd]

My hubby gets paid more than union cause the company doesn't want him to leave. Sweet.

Edited to add: There is also a manning shortage in his trade.

 

[Uber mullet]

Maybe use your "educated" brain and read the above posts, and you'll see how your wage is affected by unions. I spent the last 12 years working in the private sector, and I do understand the job market.

 

[bevvyd]

It's all about supply and demand.

 

[MMMike]

Re: RE: BC Teachers

It's all about supply and demand.

:thumbright:

 

[Reverend Blair]

So I guess bumping the minimum wage up to $30/hr would provide a massive boost to the econmy then? Rolling Eyes Artificialy high wages do not benefit the economy in the least, they just drive business elsewhere.

Did I say that Mike? No, actually I didn't. Your assumption that any wages gained by unions or by government legislation are "artificially high" is a load of crap. Unions negotiate a wage with an employer. The process is no more artificial than when you negotiate a wage with your employer.

As for your complete misconstruation of minimum wage legislation...I've yet to see a MacDonalds pack up and leave.

 

[no1important]

B.C. Premier firm as pro-teacher rally gathers


Teachers in 'flagrant contempt' of court: Campbell

Bus service came to a halt in Victoria as transit employees walked off the job in advance of a major rally supporting 38,000 striking teachers who are into their sixth school day of the illegal strike.

Thousands of members of government unions, ranging from bus drivers to social workers, joined the striking teachers at the legislature in Victoria for the protest.

Click either above links for articles. Man I wish I went.