Teacher's Strike

Happijess · by **Happijess** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:48 am

Does anyone know exactly what is happening with teachers today? I know there are supposed to be lunchtime talks, but I also heard about "bell-to-bell" action, and I would like to know what's happening. This morning at drop off, a good number of the teachers were hanging out in the parking lot, so it has me wondering what is happening with instruction today. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks.

island mum · by **island mum** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:56 am

I know about as much as you do but yes there is "bell to bell" action today. The teachers were most likely hanging together in the parking lot until the bell rang and will leave when it rings at the end of the day.
Also, there are union meetings at lunch today as well.

Benjorsam · by **Benjorsam** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:04 am

This is what was said on the news last night. Today as you know, the teachers are working bell to bell then there will be a protest at the Legislature at 4:00. Tuesday and Wednesday the teachers will be voting presumably to see if they will be walking out. Thursday they will announce the results and they could be doing full scale walk outs by Friday. So basically school is as normal until Thursday. After that who knows. Since there is no school for School District 62 on Friday anyway it won't affect the students until next Monday.

Spectrum · by **Spectrum** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:17 am

Teachers will be having demonstrations across the province today after school. On the West Shore they will be at four locations. The demonstration is to gain support from the public. It isn't a strike though, just a demonstration.

Newficaper · by **Newficaper** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:38 am

Spectrum wrote:Teachers will be having demonstrations across the province today after school. On the West Shore they will be at four locations. The demonstration is to gain support from the public. It isn't a strike though, just a demonstration.

Do you know where the demonstrations will be taking place in the west shore? And I would assume that support from parents & children during these demonstrations would be appreciated?

Melanie B · by **Melanie B** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:11 pm

as far as i know the teachers opened the school five mins before the bell this morning and will leave five mins after the bell rings this afternoon.

Nickie · by **Nickie** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:55 pm

the teachers at our school all gathered in the parking lot this morning some holding black balloons until the bell rang.. they will be leaving when the bell rings at the end of the day and more then likey going to the Legislature for the protest.
That's good to hear about Thursday possibly being the day of the strike as we have a field trip tommorrow that our class doesn't want to miss :lol:

tara.ehrcke · by **tara.ehrcke** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:12 pm

Any parents wishing to join us, please come to our support rally today at 3:30 at the BC legislature. Here is the rally notice:

Rally to support teachers for a fair deal
Monday, 3:30 - 5:00
Legislature lawn

Please come and support teachers for a fair deal. The BC government wants to impose a new contract using legislation. They are ignoring teachers' calls for mediation/arbitration, and ignoring the BC Supreme Court decision that when they removed class size and composition limits in 2002 they acted unconstitutionally.

Confirmed speakers: Mike Eso, Victoria Labour Council; Edith Loring-Kuhanga, Victoria School Board Trustee, Tara Ehrcke, President of the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association

Thank you everyone for your support!

sueb · by **sueb** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:19 pm

There will be four locations in the Sooke 62 District. They are:
Belmont School
Edward Milne Community School
Colwood Elementary
David Cameron

ecofilly · by **ecofilly** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:23 pm

Re: Fair deal....great article from Tara on the front page (and con't inside) of the BCTF TEACHER publication:

http://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/Pub ... /index.pdf

Thank you, Tara! What a to-the-point, well-written report on where we're at...might have sucked me in more than any other article I've ever received in my TEACHER magazine!

Peter · by **Peter** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:35 pm

I'm heading to the Legislature in support of a fair deal for students and teachers.

Ecofilly, do you read Tara's blog? It's also to the point. www.staffroomconfidential.blogspot.com

jj · by jj on Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:56 pm

Good luck teachers! I went through the strikes of the 90's in Ontario. It takes the wind out of everyone's sails. A very hard position to be in. Jane

boyzbymommy · by **boyzbymommy** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:35 pm

Just a reminder that School District 61's Spring Break is from March 12th through 23rd...

Happijess · by **Happijess** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:54 pm

Thanks for the replies, great info. And to the poster that doesn't want to miss a field trip -- you are lucky that you get a field trip! We haven't had a single thing. I can't wait for this to end. I'm not good with the zero communication thing.

ecofilly · by **ecofilly** on Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:04 pm

Happijess wrote: I'm not good with the zero communication thing.

Hope this doesn't come across the wrong way...communication is a two way process: Don't be afraid to check-in with teachers (and admin if you like) with any checking-in you'd like to do or with any concerns or questions you have. There has never been a need to wait for report cards or progress letters.

Kindly,
Sarah