The President of the Alberta Teachers Association says the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end the teacher strike has not just silenced teachers, but democracy itself.
Jason Schilling says the question people should ask is if the Alberta Government can use this clause to take away teachers’ rights now, then in the future, what will stop them from using it against someone else.
“Every worker in Alberta, nurses, tradespeople, first responders, public servants and private sector employees alike should be deeply concerned by what has happened here, because when a government silences one group of workers, no workers’ rights are safe,” Schilling says. “Teachers may have been the first to feel its impact, but we will not be the last to stand against it. Across this province, Albertans who value fairness, freedom, and democracy are coming together to say enough. This government’s assault on workers’ rights has only united us.”
Compliance is not consent
Though Schilling says Bill 2 is a reckless and historic abuse of power, teachers will comply with the law and be back in the classroom on Wednesday morning. However, he says it is important to note that compliance is not consent. He says while the strike may be over, the crisis teachers and students face in the classroom is not and will be the same when schools resume with “the same overcrowded classrooms, the same lack of support, and the same underfunding will still be waiting for teachers and students.”
“Nothing in Bill 2 changes that reality. Teachers who walk back into those schools will not be the same ones who left. They have seen what this government is capable of, and they will never forget.”
“The last 22 days of teacher advocacy have sparked a province-wide movement. The overwhelming show of support from Albertans from all corners of the province is unprecedented. Teachers’ historic collective action has had a great change.”
Teachers expect more than just promises
When it comes to the task force the province announced Monday, Schilling explains the ATA expects to be a full partner in the work it will do and plans to hold those involved accountable. He says the teachers are expecting more than just promises with this task force, but want to see the proof of what is being done.
“The last time that the Alberta Commission on Learning went about, people had to present to the Commission of Learning what their thoughts were. I did it myself as an individual teacher in 2002. We expect to be at the table. What we’re talking about in terms of class size and complexity fundamentally affects every teacher in this province.”
“We can’t just be a participant who is just referred to once in a while, as the task force is doing its work. We need to be at the table because teachers will know fundamentally what will and won’t work for them in their schools.”
What parents said
The ATA President says earlier Tuesday he told the Provincial Executive Council and local presidents that he has never been more proud of his colleagues in this province, because they didn’t walk out on October 6th but rather stood up for their students, schools and themselves. He says, since he has heard parents say, “Enough is enough, my child deserves better at school. He encourages parents to keep that pressure up on school boards.
“They should be in there at school board offices and asking why is my child in a class of 42,” Schilling says. “Keep that pressure on. People have found their voices. Teachers have found their voices. They’ve inspired people across this province of what it means to be an advocate for something you believe in, and I’m so proud of my colleagues across this province.”
Hard day for teachers
Schilling says Monday was a hard day for teachers, and those he has talked to are frustrated and emotional. He explains these are feelings that are being recognized and honoured.
“They put everything on the line for three weeks, everything, and the government just chose to legislate them back and to strip away their rights while doing it. They’re going to have emotions going into school tomorrow. But the colleagues I spoke to also recognize that their students deserve to be in a school that is safe and caring. They deserve to have a teacher who is present and working with them.”
“I trust my colleagues’ professionalism to the very core of my being, and I know that they will be there for students, they just might not be there for the government.”
Extracurricular activities
Schilling says when it comes to extracurricular activities, teachers have been advised to evaluate and re-evaluate how they spend their voluntary time at school.
“For instance, I used to coach cross country and direct the drama play. Maybe I’m not going to direct the drama play next year because, you know, you can take my rights away, then I’m going to re-evaluate the voluntary nature of my job. I’m going to do my teaching job to the best of my professional ability, but there are other aspects there at school that members can use their own judgment on how they want to go forward with that.”
Looking forward, Schilling says he would like to see the province re-evaluate things such as diploma exams in January because he has heard from teachers that they will not be able to make up some of that time. Schilling says heading back into the classroom, he asks people to have grace and patience because “an education system is not like a light switch. Can’t just turn it on and off that quickly.”
Written by: Kass Patterson – Vista Radio
