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Kelowna  

Teachers disheartened

There were few smiling faces on teachers as they left the Evangel Church Thursday morning; they were there to learn the details of the tentative agreement and to cast their vote.

“It is not the deal that they wanted absolutely. It could have been better. It will be interesting to see how the vote comes out. People are torn, they would have preferred more. They have given up a lot for this and they are not getting back out of this agreement what they have given up,” explains Central Okanagan Teachers' Association President Susan Bauhart.

Teachers shared their disappointment to Castanet.

“I am disheartened a bit, it is what it is, we can't really control it. It is the lesser of two evils I think. At the end of the day we sacrificed a lot, there is a lot of dollars and a lot of time, and it wasn’t even about me it was about something much bigger. It was about the future of public education,” shares teacher Rob Steciuk.

“I think both sides got something that they needed. That's what it comes out to be, a deal that works, not a deal that is perfect,” adds fellow teacher Shane Friesen.

Several teachers mentioned their frustration with the BC Government.

“This deal that we have on the table is better, but not enough, it is never enough with this government. They have stripped too much from kids and it is not going to be enough,” says teacher Carole Gordon who adds that it is a tough vote for teachers.

“I don't think it is an easy vote for a lot of them, I am voting 'yes'. We are dealing with a government that doesn’t respect the work we do sometimes and I don't know that they always value public education.”

“I am very relieved that this day has finally come. I feel elated that the public has been able to recognize, let's say, the evilness of this government that we have had to work with and the fact that teachers are not greedy. I am very much looking forward to getting back in the classroom,” shares teacher Janine Goodall.

Regardless of the teachers' disappointment, all told Castanet they are looking forward to getting back in classrooms.

“If they are back in schools, I promise you parents, anyone who is out there, our teachers are going to do you proud. If they are back I am telling you, they are happy to be back. I don't think there is a teacher in this province who isn't happy to be back,” states Bauhart.

It is expected teachers will vote in favour of the tentative agreement and kids will be back in class on Monday.

Full provincial vote results will be released later Thursday evening by the BC Teachers Federation.  



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