$100/hour? Are you kidding me? You aren’t worth that – no teacher at the mere elementary/secondary level is. This is a clear example of how out of touch you and your union is. (BTW, if you are paying $125/hr to your plumber to unclog a drain – well may I suggest you take an upgrade course in basic home economics – my plumber in an engineering firm and charges only $75/hr for some unquestionably technical work – but great putdown of plumbers there – why would you do that?)

I have several post-grad degrees and in my field am paid far less than the top pay of a secondary school teacher in BC. I left the field for reasons unrelated to remuneration, but why did I accept the level of pay that I did? Because I loved the job and the pure research. You should do that same and not expect a gold-plated salary/retirement package like you already have compared to most British Columbians.

FYI, I used teach in Ontario – left it when the union said I couldn’t help students during a “job action” when I wanted to during spares, recess and after school. I went into the private system and continued to help students in the public system – gratis. Can you say the same? I’ve taught at elementary, secondary and university levels in 3 countries – I assure you that you and your union are spoiled.

So you expect the gov’t to tax us more to pay your exorbitant costs? No thanks. As I said, 2/3 of public sector unions have accepted zero percent increase. You should too. Or get out of teaching and forgo your pension and take on a few students for free tutoring after school – that will show some real commitment.

Oh, and I dare you to oppose your union when it starts screaming at the proposal today to dock your pay for not working and fulfilling your responsibilities. You won’t because OF COURSE it is about the money.

We need to dock your pay not only now but retroactively and give you 48 hours to get back to work or summarily fire you and every teacher that refuses to work as per our specification, the employer, your employer, yes that’s me and millions of other hard working BC taxpayers – never forget that.

Do you have any data related to your education level vs the average wage related to that level? Are you suggesting that you are paid less in terms of salary, benefits and retirement?

Our kids are not being supervised for recess. When someone is injured, whose responsibility will it be? It is your responsibility, get out there. I’ve heard of teachers not giving homework – that’s administrative. Sorry, that’s part of the job. Are you suggesting that these administrative tasks that you aren’t doing don’t benefit students? I would disagree.

Your demands are already roughly 2 billion dollars and that doesn’t include wages. Where do you expect us to get this? Should taxes go up? Who should be paid less because you want more?

Almost 2/3rds of BC public sector unions have accepted a zero percent increase. Why are you expecting to be treated differently? In case you haven’t noticed, we don’t have the money, we are in a deficit situation and our employment situation is not fairing as well as the rest of Canada.

And then there is the idea of merit based pay – tell me, how many bad teachers to you know that have been fired?

I believe that as you withdraw services, so should we penalise your pay and if it goes on for too long, look for more committed replacements – your union’s arguments ring hollow to me and most other taxpayers. You have acted illegally in the past (2005 walkout) so your credibility on any issue is suspect – hence my doubt that the BCTF has anyone’s interests at heart except their own.

I am sure you are a great and dedicated teacher. My daughter’s teachers were up to this point. There are always wonderful people in the system.

Please defy your union and put student’s needs and parent’s expectations first and then I’ll respect you and fight for you all the way – most parents will.

You are correct that BC teachers are paid more than the average wage in BC. What you fail to note in your comment is that in order to arrive at an “average” there must be data points both above and below that average. BC teachers have obtained more education and training than the average wage earner in BC. Generally speaking, those who have gone through many years of preparation for a professional career are more well remunerated than those that enter the workforce directly from high school. These provide your “highs” and “lows” in the spectrum which allows the calculation of an “average” wage. I chose to become a teacher because I have a passion for working with kids and I knew that the profession would allow me to provide well for my family.

When you say, “Just get back to work and do your job,” you are misinformed, because that is exactly what BC Teachers are doing right now – their jobs. We are only abstaining from the increasing number of administrative tasks which have been heaped upon salaried employees (teachers) over the last while due to years of cutbacks to clerical hours.

BC Teachers have no desire to “hurt” any of BC’s kids, including your daughter. We are in the profession because we enjoy working with kids. A majority of teachers, including myself, are parents themselves. I do not consider advocating for oneself and one’s family “selfish”, as you put it. At contract negotiation time, BC Teachers will always push for a salary increase because it is in the best interests of their families. BC taxpayers and their bargaining agent, the government, will always push for minimal or no wage increases as that is in their own best interest. Somewhere in the middle lies the solution.

Dear Respectfully Yours In Education, I don’t care if you are 25% behind the rest of Canada, you are paid more than the average wage in BC and you get much much more time off and every weekend at that. You also seem to be doing a good job at your present generous salary, benefits and retirement package. No one said you had to be the average in Canada, perhaps teachers in other provinces are overpaid? Oh wait, I come from teaching in Ontario – we/they were/are!

Just get back to work and do your job or move on so that someone with more commitment to the students and their job can move up. You are hurting BC’s kids, and my daughter specifically, by your selfish demands.

That doesn’t mean that it is all one sided. But both sides need to sit down and get this talked out. Until there is no deficit and net debt is falling, NO increases of any kind for any BC workers. My taxes are more than high enough.

Respectfully Your Employer (a taxpayer)

Respectfully Yours In Education