Dear Editor:
I’m not sure sometimes who my employer is, although it seems like it is the government.
I’d ask you to consider the following facts that have been verified or ruled upon by neutral third parties. Your employer has:
o Been found guilty of breaking your contract, guilty of bargaining in bad faith and trying to get you to strike.
o Been identified by the United Nations as treating workers poorly.
o Refused to acknowledge these rulings and use more money to appeal the rulings.
o Told customers that the employee union is trying to bankrupt the business.
o Paid their employees less than anyone else in the same business.
o Scared customers by saying that if the business pays employees more and provides better services to customers, prices will increase beyond belief.
o Threatened to cut your wages by 10 per cent if you do not sign a contract that takes away more from you and reduces services to customers.
o Locked the doors of the business so you cannot come in on your own time to get your work done.
These facts are the reality for B.C. teachers. I believe that any reasonable person would agree the employer has a record of poor behaviour and a lack of integrity.
The naked truth is there is a crisis in public education.
Every credible source says that investment is required in the system.
Please get the facts and please support public education.
Kevin Epp
Penticton