I have read a report on wage increases for deputy ministers and I wonder why the Gazette has not reported the 48 per cent pay increase in five years that some deputy ministers have received.
The deputy minister of education spends $6,000 per month on expenses.
These are facts of record that cannot be altered by political smoke and mirrors. The teachers are asking for a three per cent cost of living increase and they are made to feel guilty for this request.
For years teachers have given up wage increases to gain class size and composition protection but this government illegally stripped that language from the collective agreement.
B.C. teachers are listed ninth in Canada when comparing wages but we live in the land of among the highest cost of living in Canada.
Teachers want to bargain fairly to achieve a collective agreement. They do not want to be the victim of more illegal contract stripping. I heard a quote that said government is elected to govern by the law.
This is a democracy. A government that writes laws for personal gain is a tyranny. What is B.C.? There is money tucked away in contingency funds. That money should be released now so that fair bargaining can take place.
Marg Eagle
Colwood