The Editor,
As a parent of a school-aged child in our public school system, it never ceases to amaze me how often the BCTF needs to justify its existence by pushing teachers to strike at every turn.
The mind-numbing phrase such as "for the kids" is almost more than any normal thinking taxpayer can take. If I had a decent salary, over three months off a year with my benefits paid for and paid contributions to my pension, I'd be grateful to have that position.
I have met a great number of dedicated teachers who truly care about what they do but I'm sure they went into the teaching profession with their eyes wide open. If they're going on strike because other teachers in other provinces make more money, the solution is a simple one - move to that province. That's what parents who are in other jobs do all the time to provide for their families.
When I read that in the Coquitlam School District, 91 per cent is spent on salary and related benefit costs, it didn't take long for me to realize why my child doesn't have the basics in the classroom. It's time for our elected leaders to stand up and start fighting for the parent/taxpayer.
As I tell my child, bullying doesn't always happen in the school yard.
Gerald Gregory, Surrey