[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] Teachers' Dispute Update - October 12, 2005

Wed Oct 12 17:00:42 PDT 2005

B.C. LABOUR E-NEWS - TEACHERS DISPUTE UPDATE - October 12, 2005 

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CONTENTS

1.> FOUR WAYS TO SUPPORT THE TEACHERS RIGHT NOW

2.> PROVINCIAL RALLIES FOR TEACHERS DRAW THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS

3.> ONLINE POLLS - VOTE FOR TEACHERS

4.> SCHOOL BOARDS SUPPORT TEACHERS 

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1.> FOUR WAYS TO SUPPORT THE TEACHERS RIGHT NOW
No matter how long the teachers' dispute lasts, your support on
the picket line, in the media and in your community will be
critical. We also know that many people want to help, and have
come to us asking what they can do. Here's how you can help today:

1. Phone your MLA this week while they are in the constituency. 
Tell him or her that you support the teachers' right to protest
an unjust law. Tell him or her that if Gordon Campbell wants to
get teachers back in the classroom he should come to the table
and negotiate with them. You can look up the phone and fax
number for your MLA at:
< http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm >

2. Send the same message directly to Gordon Campbell. You can
call his constituency office at 
604-660-3202 or send an email:
< mailto:gordon.campbell.mla at leg.bc.ca >

3. While you are at it, phone Mike de Jong, the Minister of
Labour, and tell him that you support the teachers.
Call him at his constituency office: 604-870-5486
or send an email:
< mailto:mike.dejong.mla at leg.bc.ca >

4. Don't stop there. Let Shirley Bond, the Minister of
Education, know that you stand behind the teachers. Her
number is 250-612-4181, or you can send her an email:
< mailto:shirley.bond.mla at leg.bc.ca >

---------------------------------------------------------------
2.> PROVINCE-WIDE RALLIES FOR TEACHERS DRAW THOUSANDS OF 
SUPPORTERS 
Members of nearly all affiliated unions turned out by the thousands 
last night and today at rallies held around the province in support 
of teachers.

Support also came from members of the community outside the labour 
movement, including seniors, students, parents and other community 
groups.

"The BC Liberals are trying desperately to turn public support for 
the teachers ," said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair.
"They're already claiming that Solidarity is beginning to weaken --
Nothing could be further from the truth."

The BC Teachers' Federation is planning a major Rally and March on 
Monday in Victoria between 11:00 AM and 2:45 PM.

For more details and to download a poster:

< 
http://www.bctf.ca/bargain/negotiations2004/TeachersTakeAStand/Ral
lyFlyer.pdf >

+++|+++

3.> ONLINE POLLS - VOTE FOR TEACHERS

Do you support extending the teachers' collective agreement?
< http://www.royalcityrecord.com/ >

Are you pleased the government legislated a contract on B.C. 
teachers?
< http://www.richmond-news.com/ >

Do you support B.C. teachers in their requests for smaller class 
sizes and a pay raise in their dispute with the provincial 
government?
< http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ >

Do you support teachers in their fight for pay increases and 
smaller class sizes?
< http://www.langleytimes.com/ >

Do you approve of the provincial government's move to introduce 
legislation to extend the teachers' contract?
< http://www.pgfreepress.com/ >

Would you support the teachers' strike if it continues past two 
weeks?
< http://www.surreyleader.com/ >

4.> SCHOOL BOARDS SUPPORT TEACHERS

A number of School Boards have adopted positions of support for the
teachers, including :

Southeast Kootenay
Revelstoke
Arrow Lakes
Nicola-Similkameen
Vernon
Surrey
Vancouver
New Westminster
Coquitlam
Boundary
Sooke
Saanich
Cowichan
Alberni
Comox
Mount Arrowsmith
Campbell River
Vancouver Island North

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