Surrey - The Editor, Re: Ongoing teachers dispute. The government is out to lunch. It is handling the teachers very badly. The teachers deserve more respect.
Instead of the adversarial and threatening way in which the government is handling this situation (docking their pay) they should appoint an independent adjudicator and arrive at a fair and equitable solution.The teachers are - like the doctors, lawyers, engineers in this province - professional people. The government would never handle other professionals this way and the Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Dental Association, etc., would never stand for this kind of treatment.The government seems to believe that by belittling and threatening the teachers, it can get them to "do as they are told." That kind of 18th century mentality illustrates how incompetent this government is.If one looks at the rates of pay in Ontario and Alberta in particular, the B.C. teachers are not well paid. As well, the cost of housing, the biggest part of a person's budget, is ridiculous in Vancouver - the most expensive in Canada.It is also sad to see that many "working class" people show an anti-union mentality. They should give their heads a shake because the only reason we have good wages is because of the union movement.If you believe that companies are going to give you good wages and benefits out ofthe goodness of their hearts, then you also have to believe in the tooth fairy.Our children are the most important people in the world and are the future of our province and country. They deserve the best teachers we can provide them. That is why we demand teachers have the best educations and backgrounds.I would say to this government - stop acting like incompetent bullies and get the job done. Appoint an independent adjudicator.John FortinSurrey