My MLA Terry Lake replied to my letter from last week... heres the email and my reply to follow below: On Friday, September 12, 2014, Lake.MLA, Terry wrote: Dear Ricki I would like to respond to your comments regarding the BCTF strike that is keeping schools closed. Firstly, I do care about parents and I care deeply about students and their learning environment. I believe teachers deserve a fair wage and that class composition issues should be a subject of real negotiations. On wages and benefits, the BCTF is asking for a far greater increase than 150,000 other public servants who have already settled contracts. To give teachers more than these dedicated employees would be patently unfair and would cost taxpayers millions upon millions of dollars necessitating a tax increase. We were very clear in our election campaign that we would not increase taxes or run a deficit – that is what most people voted for. Binding arbitration would be an abdication of the responsibility of both parties to negotiate and given the demands of the BCTF would still be unaffordable for taxpayers. In terms of the court action, it was one judge, in two decisions. The government has appealed, as would the BCTF had they lost the initial decision. Justice Griffin, in her ruling, said the issue of class size and composition will be the subject of future negotiations – this is what the government is trying to do. The BCTF will not accept any proposal that includes hiring more teachers AND more education assistants because the assistants are not members of their union. They are clearly putting the interests of their members ahead of the interests of children on this issue. In terms of representing my constituents, I can assure you that I hear from both sides on this issue. There are many people that are very upset with the BCTF following decades of failed ability to negotiate settlements with Socred, NDP and Liberal governments. I remain optimistic that we will reach a settlement and have classes open. That could happen tomorrow if the BCTF ended the strike while negotiations continued. Sincerely, Terry MY RESPONSE (Just sent) Dear Mr. Lake, Thanks for the form letter & broken-record/hand-fed statements provided by your boss. You are just being a puppet to Christy Clark and not serving the needs of this province, this constituent, this voter or my kids. Not affordable? Corporate tax is ridiculously low... And how do you like your fat raises? Im sure that credit card for your expenses is COMPLETELY work-related expenses, right? I mean, your boss spent almost $600 in one year at the iTunes store alone! I cant imagine what other lovely work-related expenses you all claim. We have a lovely roof at BC Place, eh? Why does 50% education allotted tax revenue goes to private schools yet 11% of kids attend private? I dont believe tax increases were threatened for those NON-essential services. I dont believe you considered tax payer affordability with THOSE decisions. The Tourism industry businesses might be a very wealthy bed-fellow or campaign contributor but when all the tourists see a province with really miserable citizens they might not come back. China is already a little miffed at this situation, arent they? Many BCTF supporters are actively boycotting the BC Coalition of Businesses members and this will only grow. How will your partners-in-crime like THAT economic boost? If the BC Federation of Labour and top Unions in BC are banded together and only half of them boycott those businesses, thats approximately 200,000 citizens changing their bank accounts, not going to specific pubs and ski lodges, not staying at certain hotel chains, not purchasing their home renovation supplies from specific companies...? While 200,000 might not be a majority its still an enormous economic blow and BAD publicity. It is clear now that our tax dollars have only served to line your pockets and all those who are in bed with the BC Liberals. You and your party are corrupt. I will participate actively in recall campaigns and will never vote BC Liberal. Disgusted, Ricki Beisel
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:56:32 +0000