[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] TEACHERS' DISPUTE UPDATE - October 11, 2005

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B.C. LABOUR E-NEWS - TEACHERS DISPUTE UPDATE - October 11, 2005 

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CONTENTS
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1.> LABOUR BUILDS SOLIDARITY FOR TEACHERS

2.> FED POLL SHOWS PUBLIC BEHIND TEACHERS

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1.> LABOUR BUILDING SOLIDARITY FOR TEACHERS 
The B.C. Federation of Labour, along with local Labour Councils 
and unions around the province, have organized 19 rallies around 
the province and have asked union members and the public to come 
out to support BC Teachers in their fight to reach a negotiated 
agreement. 

"The government's move to force teachers back to work is a direct 
attack on the rights of every working person in this province," 
said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. "Teachers 
are serious about negotiating better learning conditions for our 
kids but the Gordon Campbell government prefers confrontation over 
negotiation."

Sinclair added that while teachers have been walking the line to 
improve education for kids, Gordon Campbell is out of the 
province.

"We're at a critical moment here in BC, but the government of the 
day thinks they can avoid the issue by writing a law and walking 
away," continued Sinclair. "Bullying doesn't work in the 
schoolyard and it shouldn't work in this province."

Sinclair, along with several leaders from affiliated unions, this 
morning walked the picket line with protesting teachers at William 
MacDonald Elementary School in Vancouver.

For rally details in your area, please visit the B.C. Federation 
of Labour calendar on our website:

< http://www.bcfed.com/Coming+Events/index.htm >

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2.> FED POLL SHOWS PUBLIC BEHIND TEACHERS
The public, by a two-to-one margin oppose the actions of the 
government in ordering the teachers back-to-work according to a 
poll released by the Federation. The poll, conducted by 
Ideaworks/Stratcomm on October 6 and 7 and released October 10, 
showed that teachers enjoy the support of the public in their demands
for improved learning conditions and a fair wage increase. 

In particular, 67 percent of British Columbians surveyed disagreed 
with the BC Liberals decision to impose a contract on teachers. 
Over half of those surveyed indicated teachers should be allowed 
to negotiate class size and special needs support at the 
bargaining table. Similarly over half indicated they supported 
public protests if the government ordered teachers back-to-work.

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For full poll results, please see the latest news release on our 
website:

< http://www.bcfed.com > 
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