Teachers’ fight is with government

May 6, 2015 · 0 Comments

As a local employer of hundreds and hundreds of young sumer students, some with a strong sense of “entitlement,” my hat is off to all involved in teaching today, at all levels.
However, the days of striking are over and have been for years. Striking was very much needed years ago to make sure employers provided a safe and healthy work environment. Today, with the labour board and the WSIB having control over every employer in Ontario, all employees are now very well protected. And now the government also protects employees from bullying, which is a very good move.
But we, the people in the cheap seats looking at the big picture, get the impression that you, the teachers, are being bullies here, as you don’t like the way things are going, so you strike! We know the government has taken away almost ever tool you had as teachers to deal with the youth of today, pretty much handcuffing you and still expecting you to work miracles in disciplining our students. Most people are on your side as teacher supporters. However, that will not continue if you continue this old practice of striking where no one really wins.
Your fight is with the Wynne government, the same government you just gave a majority vote to. You also know this same government has taken Ontario from a debt of $100 billion (2003) to today’s $300 plus billion. They have never discussed paying down the debt. They can’t even manage the deficit. And this is not news to anyone in Ontario, especially those directly involved as you, the teachers are. Did you think they had a money tree that would never run out? Why did so many government employees vote Liberal? Scare tactics?
Your fight is with the Liberal government, not the parents of your students, who I will guess on average do not make as much as you do. And your fight is also not with your students, some of whom are too young to even understand what is going on.
You are the modern day teachers who we all look up to for knowledge, direction and a wealth of information. The MacGyvers of the world.
So, to quote yourselves, “Think outside the box!”
Come up with a new and better way to fight for what you are passionate about, rather than always reverting back to the same old same old. You are better than that and better than standing on a picket line.
Be creative. Surprise us!
Brian Perras,
Caledon