TIGHT SQUEEZE | Greater Vernon Museum lobbies city for action on inadequate facilities [A5]
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Friday, March 2, 2012
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Rush for care as school strike looms RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Teachers are walking off the job and that has parents questioning what to do with their kids. The North Okanagan-Shuswap and Vernon school districts have been served with strike notice by educators for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. “Most parents will have the basic issue of finding child care for their children,” said Nicole Makohoniuk, president of the Vernon District Parents Advisory Council. Principals and vice-principals will be at schools but their duties will be limited. “We request that parents keep their children home for the three days,” said Bev Rundell, Vernon School District superintendent. “There will be no instruction but we would have to supervise them (students who show up) in some way.” There will also be no busing for the three days. A similar scenario is unfolding in the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District. “We are advising parents to make alternate arrangements for the care of their children as we will be unable to provide students with instruction or appropriate supervision and school buses will not be running” said Dave Witt. Parents in both districts will be updated of developments through automated phone systems, the media and district websites. A letter is going home to parents in both areas. Out of 32,209 B.C. teachers who cast ballots, 87 per cent endorsed going on strike. “It’s absolutely necessary,” said Bruce Cummings, Vernon Teachers Association president. “This government is a bully and we must stand up to bullies.” The government has introduced legislation that imposes a six-month cooling-off period and appoints a mediator to look at non-monetary issues such as class size and composition. It has indicated that it will not increase
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Teachers Kim Ondrik (left), Jan Payson (middle), and Jan Klausing (right) demonstrate against the provincial government’s bargaining position Monday at Ellison Elementary School.
“We believe Bill 22 is very thoughtful and measured.” — George Abbott teachers’ wages. “We have huge issues in the public education system,” said Lynda Bennett, North OkanaganShuswap Teachers Association president. “For our members, the issue is class size and composition. There are classes with nine, 10 or 11 (special needs) students and some have severe behaviour issues or are deaf or hard of hearing.” Bennett insists such situations negatively impact a teacher’s ability to assist all children in a class. Bennett admits the three-day strike will impact families. “We don’t want parents scram-
bling for day care but I don’t want us scrambling for resources for their kids,” she said. Cummings doesn’t believe three days out of class will negatively impact students’ learning. “Parents take kids out of school for weeks (for holidays) and it doesn’t make a difference,” he said. The Labour Relations Board has ruled that teachers cannot picket in front of schools. “We expect unionized CUPE staff will be there,” said Education Minister George Abbott of support staff being at work. Abbott, who is also Shuswap MLA, says he is disappointed with
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the B.C. Teachers Federation’s decision to strike but concedes that it is a legal walkout. “There has already been significant disruption to student learning with phase one of job action (teachers not performing some administrative functions),” he said. “We believe Bill 22 is very thoughtful and measured. It includes a $165 million learning improvement fund which is important for the future.” Abbott says he has offered to meet with the BCTF before but the union has refused because the government will not reconsider its net-zero financial position. Second reading of the government’s bill was introduced in the Legislature Thursday and debate could continue for a couple of days. The legislation would then have to go before a committee before being put to MLAs for consideration. “At the earliest, late next week
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(for approval) and at the latest, early the following week,” said Abbott. “I understand that emotions are running high, and we do not want to inflame the situation by acting precipitously and rushing through the legislation. “It’s unfortunate that rhetoric and name-calling has overtaken a thoughtful and constructive approach to resolving the impasse through mediation. When mediation begins in the near future, I hope the discussion will unfold in a respectful way,” said Abbott. Some North Okanagan students plan to rally in front of their schools in support of teachers at 2 p.m. today. “So far, we have a large commitment from Seaton, and growing commitment from Kalamalka, Fulton, Vernon Secondary School and even some students from Pleasant Valley Secondary School,” said Wesley Shaver, who is in Grade 12 at W.L. Seaton Secondary School.
DID YOU KNOW...
Consumer Reports released their Top Picks for 2012 and Toyota is the first brand to earn of the top 10 spots in nearly a decade. The redesigned Camry Hybrid and Highlander edged out the competition to become Top Picks in the family Sedan and Family SUV categories. For the 11th Time and ninth consecutive year, the Toyota Prius earned top spot in the Green Car category. DL# 30382