Job Action

FCH

Hi, Monamis,

I would like to share opinions with you re. Job Actions in Canada, specially the current one. As you know, B.C. public schools are closed indefinitely starting today. As far as my understanding, the reasons for this job action is the demand for:
improved classroom conditions, a salary increase, and restoration of full bargaining rights.

Though I understand the points that the Union has raised, I really doubt if there is any better way to get things done. It seems to me that the Union is threatening the Government with children as their tool. Every family with kids age from 5 to 18 will be affected by this action, i am sure the Union knows that exactly. My question is: how can they sacrifice public interest to strive for a small group's interest.

I know from newspaper that there is a law in BC, which says job action may not cause serious disruption to the education program. Now, we see the complete paralysis of education service, I am not sure if the job action is legal or illegal?

My opinion here does not mean I don't respect teachers and their rights, my only concern is if this job action is the best way to go for.

laurence

what is a Job Actions？After reading the context, I think you are refering to a strike of the teachers and employees in the public school.
My opinion is that it is a different culture, ideology and system to China. Our Chinese are always relying on some good government, we even called them 'Fu Mu Guan' which means the government is our parents. Therefore we just sit there and wait for government to do something. However, in the western society, there is no such thing. If the employees felt they deserve more, they should act first. So the union will talk to the employers, in this case, it is the government or education department. If the government do not aggree with their proposal, they need to give more pressure to the government, that's the reason why they organize the strike. It is quite usual in the western society, so you should be accustomed to it.

FCH

Post by laurence
what is a Job Actions？After reading the context, I think you are refering to a strike of the teachers and employees in the public school.
My opinion is that it is a different culture, ideology and system to China. Our Chinese are always relying on some good government, we even called them ...

Thanks for your opinion, Laurence. First of all, Job Action was the exact term the schools used for their notice given to parents. Well, you are right, it is a strike in fact.

I was not arguing if they had the right to do it, my point was if they had other better ways to achieve their goal. Say, maybe they could have asked part of the schools go on strike first in stead of closing all schools！I know they can even challenge the law if it is not fair, but what is more important than the law itself and their interest is the children's interest and their right of learning! From my opinion, a job action againt public interest is not a responsible action though it is legal. I know it is the fact in most western countries, but what exists may not be the best way of doing things, right? I know I have to get used to it, many parents have to do the same by being ready anytime to take days off in order to take care of their children.

freespirit

In my opinion, Union is a good thing when it comes to employees' rights being affected; but on the other hand, it seems to me that it's very easy for unions to go over the top and thus affect public interests, as FCH has mentioned.

I don't know whether union is involved in this case (sorry FCH, just had a quick glance at your posting), my guess is there is one. And I reckon it's necessary for the government to do something in circumstances when strikes have brought significent inconveniences to the general public. This seems to be a case of taking advantage of the freedom and trust that are granted by the government.

Monamis

Post by FCH
Hi, Monamis,

I would like to share opinions with you re. Job Actions in Canada, specially the current one. As you know, B.C. public schools are closed indefinitely starting today. As far as my understanding, the reasons for this job action is the demand for:
improved classroom conditions, a salar...

I think yoiu have to look at both sides of the equation. and you are doing that,
it is very confusing to say the least,
you are correct in all your assumptions,

the public doesn't want the children out of school,
the  government doesn't want to pay the wage increases, that the teachers need.
there is a bit of irony here,
we pay our sports people millions of dollars, but we don't pay our teachers their just due, and we entrust them with our most valuable assets, our children.

Do the teachers deserve a salary increase , they certainly do. and so do most of us, that have salary increases dictated by the government, the cost of living continues to escalate, thee standards of living soar. but the salaries remain same, the gap between the have and have not, is widening quickly. There needs to be an equalibrium.  
There is a cost of capitalism,

I do not think that the teachers have been dealt with fairly,
or have been able to bargain at the true sense of the word,
if people are not able to bargain in good faith,
the system breaks down

this causes anarcy, hopefully this can be settled quickly and honourably.

hope this helps,
they are not right to break the laws,
but alsothey do deserve the right to bargain in good faith,

Monamis

Post by laurence
what is a Job Actions？After reading the context, I think you are refering to a strike of the teachers and employees in the public school.
My opinion is that it is a different culture, ideology and system to China. Our Chinese are always relying on some good government, we even called them ...

Lawrence, Unons have their place, and if it is to bargain in good faith, and both side deal in that true manner, it is great.
However some Unions are very militent, and try to strong arm resolution instead of bargaining in good faith.

We recently had truckers strike and the Teamsters Union members broke the laws, slashing tires of vehicles and burning them, and destroying properly to pressure government and companies to grant them a large increase, This is not an example of bargaining in good faith. Althought the costs of living and costs of fuel are increasing , you should be able to bargain in good faith and expect resolution.

No one wins when our school system is disrupted, or when damage is done to property, No one wins, so stalling bargaining for 4 years, is not good faith.

They teachers felt pressured into taking this action to resolve labour issues,
It is a free and democratic society and in that type of a society we can't depend on the government to do our bidding.

The flip side to this is also that we can't keep our children out of school. In this particular case, i believe that both the medical and educational parts of our society should not be able to strike, Both are equally important for our society,

Hopefully they can now be more open minded, and come to a happy medium, and resolve the issues and get back to work and teaching,

hope this helps and doesn't cause further confusion.

Take good care,