93% Of Teachers Agree With Strike

If, as the BCTF stated, 80% of 43,000 teachers voted, then that means that 34,400 teachers voted, and of the voters, 31,132 voted yes to strike. The ones who didn't vote, more then likely were not inclined to vote as they knew the strike was a given, and were short on time. I am sure that if they felt strongly about not striking, they would definitely have voted. If you add in the 8,600 who did not vote into the yes category, then one should assume that actually 39,732 voted yes, which is actually almost 93%.

I Support the teachers 100%. I would rather my child have some time off now (at least it is the beginning of the year and not the end) Than have 34 kids in his grade 4 class next year. She has 18 int he class this year in grade 3, but once they hit the intermediate level they are categorized the same as grade 12.

As one high school teacher said, it is also a consideration that in the high schools, some teachers are responsible for up to seven or more classes, so that is actually more like 200 students that they teach in a matter of two days. Can a teacher really know their students when they have so many to teach?

This strike is about the students, I for one, and many others that I know, have stated that if the government would only put a cap on class sizes, with no pay increase, the teachers would go back.

My message for the government? Rescind Bill 12. You legislated too soon. The teachers hadn't really done anything. What you did, was take away their negotiating time, as there was not to be a full strike until the end of October.

Rescind Bill 12, then maybe the teachers will go back to work, AND can continue negotiating.

Jen (mom of two elementary students)