Tag Archives: government
I support teachers, not a strike – Part 4 / 5 – Public policy issues are not labour relations
So at this point in my logic chain, I have: People should support education, which is mostly about teaching (a narrowing); The Government made a bad policy decision Teachers are willing to strike for the bad policy decision i.e., the issues Except the issues aren’t really “strike worthy”. Funding levels are not significantly off from what they were — we’re not talking cuts like Alberta is seeing for health care. Larger class sizes have actually been more or less settled already with the latest offer, regardless of how few schools would actually see those theoretical limits. Layoffs will be done … Continue reading →
I support teachers, not a strike – Part 3 / 5 – Are the real policy issues “strike-worthy”
So at this point in my logic chain, I have: People should support education –> People should support education, which is mostly about teaching (a narrowing); Teachers disagree with the government’s approach –> The Government made a bad policy decision The next sub-element is that teachers believe the government made a bad policy decision. Bad policy In order for us to decide it was a bad policy, let’s first articulate what exactly the elements of that “policy” are that are irking the teachers: Education funding levels; Larger class-sizes; Firing teachers; Non-renewal of lapsing “local priorities” funding; Violence in the classroom; … Continue reading →
I support teachers, not a strike – Part 2 / 5 – The government made a policy decision
In my post earlier this week (I support teachers, not a strike – Part 1 / 5 – Education is mostly about teaching), I was okay with the argument that education is important and teachers are responsible for the most important part of the delivery network. So I’m still on the logic train the teachers union argue leads to people needing to support a strike. The next link in the logic chain is: Teachers are striking to change the government’s bad approach to education That is a very complicated sentence that has three components: The government decided They chose a … Continue reading →
I support teachers, not a strike – Part 1 / 5 – Education is mostly about teaching
I find it odd, and a little offensive, the constant rhetoric that gets launched at times at people who might disagree with teachers striking “for the kids”. The argument is not very complex, but bears laying out: People should support education Teachers deliver education Teachers are striking to change the government’s bad approach to education Ergo, people should support a teachers’ strike. And, of course, the reverse MUST be true — if you don’t support a strike, you obviously hate teachers, kids and education. Which leaves me with a puzzling conundrum. I cannot support strike action, yet I don’t hate … Continue reading →