Teachers begin first day of three day strike vowing to vigorously resist Bill 22
VANCOUVER - BC Teachers' Association President Susan Lambert says her members will vigorously resist all efforts by the B.C. Liberal government to impose legislation restricting job action.
Lambert made the comments on the first morning of a three day walkout to protest Bill 22, which will force teachers to stay in class and resume administrative duties they have refused since September.
The bill will be debated this week in the legislature and, when passed, will impose heavy financial penalties if defied by the union or individual teachers.
Lambert is not saying her members will violate the bill, but she says the union will oppose a government that has neglected the education system and allowed it to suffer.
Teachers are handing out leaflets and carrying signs while walking around many Vancouver schools, but Lambert says the demonstrators are not pickets, and anyone may enter the buildings.
The BCTF has been staging limited strike action to back demands for better wages and benefits, but voted to strike last week when Education Minister George Abbott introduced Bill 22.
