NDP Assistants To Go On Strike?
What do you call a group of folks whose assistants are considering going on strike? Why, the NDP Opposition of course! It appears that the Constituency Assistants (CAs) to the NDP MLAs - the folks who essentially run the MLA's community offices - have walked away from the negotiating table and may soon be going on strike.
With the BC Liberals having been able to sign all public unions to new contracts before set deadlines, it is troubling that the NDP cannot work with the BCGEU (who represent the CAs) to find labour peace. There must be some very complicated, tricky points which to the lay person, would be near impossible to comprehend.
"We want more money! We want more money!", an outraged Dipper assistant shared with us while swinging a baseball bat around. He concluded with, "We want more money! We want more money!"
The NDP Chief of Staff, David "Ah Come On Guys, Listen To Me" Perry forwarded a confidential memo on May 1st to the NDP MLAs and staff saying "a tentative agreement" with the CAs had been reached. However, in a Carole James-ion move he has verbally told his people that the deal is off.
What makes this odd is that today is the six month anniversary of the "Great NDP Flip-Flop" where the NDP voted against raises to the MLAs and a major influx of cash to run the Constituency Office - after first voting days earlier in favour of this plan.
Furthermore, there is absolutely no mention of the negotiations of these CAs on the BCGEU website. The website typically displays every step of progress - or lack thereof - on negotiations but nothing at all on their Dipper friends. This too appears odd.
"It is not odd at all," a BCGEU representative shared with us during an extended smoke break. "We do not advertise how much cash we funnel to the NDP so we are not going to discuss this part of the plan."
Wait! Plan? What does that mean?!
Quickly extinguishing his cigarette our source scurried away yelling, "I have said too much!"
Then it hit us - no, not that bat wielding monkey (although that would have been cool...and painful) - but what the plan possibly could be. Could this all just be a rouse to have all of the BCGEU go on strike? You see, if the NDP CAs strike would the other unions join in and support as a "sympathy strike"? We chased after a slow running, hacking BCGEU insider for comment on a possible "sympathy strike".
"Well, no one really has sympathy for the NDP but heck, we sure do enjoy a good self righteous summer time strike! This is also good practice for our BCTF friends!"
posted by BC Poly Blog at 7:46 AM
6 Comments:
What will be the basis of Jenny's position? Especially after she throws away $4k bonus. It can not be learning conditions, check out the news from the Canadian Council on Learning.
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B.C. Ranks Second for Learning Conditions in the Country
Learning conditions in B.C. have been designated second in Canada - just behind Alberta and four points above the Canadian average - by the Canadian Council on Learning, announced Education Minister Shirley Bond.
The rankings of this independent, national organization represent the condition of lifelong learning in Canada.
British Columbia ranked first in the country in technical and hands on skills which are related to occupational success.
This index, as a national benchmark, will provide the opportunity to track progress and trends over time.
You cannot paint teachers with the "union" brush. For the most part they ARE there for the kids.
The BCTF however, for the past 10 years, have been moving more and more towards being a political front group for the NDP. Anyone who disagrees is wearing rose-colored glasses or works for the BCTF. The icing on the cake for me was when Jinny announced that tests "were dangerous for our children". Come on. If teachers really want to get back to a children centered agenda they need to change their representation.
Jinny is going to screw them on this $4000 bonus to make a Political statement. I think the Government is ready and willing to work with teachers. "Teachers" need to start moving in that direction now as well. God knows your union won't.
"You cannot paint teachers with the "union" brush."
And WHY not? They are union members plain and simple. There is no advancement on ability, only set levels and seniority,just like all unions. They pay union dues(heafty ones at that) And don't forget, last year they conducted an "illegal" strike. Only unions strike. They are NOT a profession. When was the last time the Society of Engineers went on strike?
And I'm tired of hearing how they do it all for the children. The only ones who do that are the 3 or 4 teachers in the Merrit area who defied the strkie and went to work anyhow. Now, THEY do it for the children.
Horny Toad
Horny toad: What's with that?
Teachers are manipulated, threatened and bullied by the union organisers. A paid "heavy" in every district and a like minded teacher rep in every School to keep them in line.
If my Job was on the line I would be careful also. Have teachers "had enough yet”? Wait and see. I think many are getting there. If she screws them on the bonus, I think she better look out.
They are the product of the environment they are in. If they could move to one where excellence was the mandate, with a focus on outcomes and student improvement you would see an entirely different mentality.
Give them the freedom to speak their mind and, for the most part, they will be in the classroom trying to figure out how to improve results.
And, they would prefer their $1500 in dues go that way as well, rather than to the anti BC Liberal and attack Gord campaigns.
The BCTF should be dissolved. It's time teachers had credible representation that cared about what teachers think and want for schools, children and themselves.
"I" - HAVE - had enough.
Mr X that is only in the "real world" that CA's earning are based on performance and not having a cheap boss. Since all the NDP staff are in a union I am sure their Collective Agreement demands they all receive the same amount of pay less a large dollup of dough for union dues of course.
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