Teachers in Prince Rupert wore black in solidarity with colleagues across the province this past week. Friday, January 27, marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of Bills 27 and 28 that stripped teacher collective agreements of class-size, composition, and specialist service levels' language. It also vapourized 10 local collective agreements.
“In passing these bills, the provincial government effectively ended free collective bargaining rights and saved more than $3 billion on the backs of teachers.” said Joanna Larson, President of the Prince Rupert District Teachers’ Union. Larson along with presidents, local representatives, and bargaining chairs who were attending their Representative Assembly over the week-end, hit the streets of Vancouver to mark the day assembling on bridges in and around Vancouver. Holding signs, waving flags and banners, the message that the cuts must end and bargaining rights restored, was sent clearly for all to see.