The three-day, full-scale walkout by B.C. teachers ends Wednesday, but the unions next move challenging Bill 22, which is aimed at ending the labour dispute, remains unclear.
Susan Lambert, president of the B.C. Teachers Federation, said all options are being considered.
What I have said is we havent made up our minds as to what were going to do. We will continue to protest this bill because its such a terrible bill, she said Tuesday morning by phone on her way to Victoria for a noon-hour rally at the legislature.
The membership of my union makes up their minds. Its not me. We ask them the question. Well ask them what they want to do. From their point of view, every option has to be canvassed and they will direct us as to what to do.
Lambert noted teachers will continue with a teach-only campaign when they return to class.
When Minister Abbott [says he] hopes that calmer heads will prevail, I hope that hell march into the cabinet meeting and say calmer heads have to prevail. You cannot continue to inflame the situation. Bill 22 does nothing to address the situationall it does is inflame, she added.
Another rally to support teachers was scheduled for Wednesday, March 7, at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
I have no power to change this governments mind except for the power of public opinion and except for my call on the government to respect the voice of teachers, Lambert said. Surely a government that has a responsibility for stewarding a public education system, a responsibility for nurturing what is probably one of the most important services the government can provide would want to have a respectful relationship with teachers.
Teachers have staged information pickets at schools during the strike. On Monday, rain dripped off Steve Dunbars face as he walked around Macdonald elementary school with a Teachers Taking a Stand sign. Its essential that were out here this morning, he told the Courier.
Dunbar, an on-call teacher who taught for 30 years before retiring from full-time work, said hes witnessed in-class support erode for students over the years, coupled with an increase in class sizes. The difference is absolutely huge, he said.
Five years ago, Dunbar said, he worked at a school where his class included two autistic students, one student with Asperger syndrome, two beginner ESL students and two students with behaviour problems. Dunbar is troubled by criticism that a three-day strike is inconvenient when he insists the focus should be on overall educational concerns.
This is three days out of [students] education, he said. The kids are going to be fine. Three days out of their school career shouldnt be a problem.
Dunbar suspects Bill 22 will pass, but he maintains that bodes poorly for the troubled relationship between the government and teachers. With this legislation, the situation is only going to get worse. It just sours things, he said.
Teacher Patrick Robert was trying to remain optimistic at the information picket at Ecole Bilingue, a French Immersion school near Granville and West 14th.
Im feeling good because Im hoping this actually changes something and that the public realizes were not only fighting for teachers salaries, but for student learning, he said.
Teachers Mark Ogilvie and Jeff Lynch shared similar sentiments outside Henry Hudson elementary. Ogilvie, who carried a homemade sign that read: Independent mediation, not legislation, teaches physical education at three elementary schools, including Hastings elementary where he was given a $200 budget for its 600 students.
Its important to make a point, to take a stand, he said of the walkout. The message for parents is contact the government and tell them what we need and what you need. The funding could be there if its made a priority.
Lynch agreed. Its stressful. Id rather be in there teaching my kids, he said, pointing at the school.
Twitter: @Naoibh
