Video: Deconstructing Christy Clark spin on teachers strike and lockout

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Press Progress, which is an arm of the Broadbent Institute, has released a video rebutting Premier Christy Clark's talking points on the school strike.

      Clark said on September 3 that the B.C. Teachers' Federation is demanding twice as much as the settlements for other public-sector workers.

      Press Progress points out that other public sector workers received four percent in 2012 and 2013.

      Teachers, on the other hand, received zero percent in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

      According to the Broadbent Institute, the union's demand for eight percent over five years means one percent per year over eight years—less than the rate of inflation.

      You'll have to watch the video to hear how some of Clark's other claims were demolished.

      Comments

      9 Comments

      Dianne

      Sep 4, 2014 at 6:55pm

      I understand that in fact public sector workers received four percent in 2012 and 2013.

      Teachers, received zero percent in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

      Right, ..... now I get it. I had a great math teacher so I can do the math...

      2 x 0 = 0 in 2011

      2 x 0 = 0 in 2012

      2 x 0 = 0 in 2013

      But really this isn't fair!
      The cost of living has increased! So have Hydro rates and ICBC.... and a heck of a lot more every day costs. i guess that's why your staff got up to 10% increase....

      Not that dumb

      Sep 4, 2014 at 7:57pm

      The figures don't add up...its simply arithmetic. As well with the projected L&G spin off revenue for the province & new jobs...(for who??)

      By the way, if she has children, do they go to public school or private?

      The attack on labour is astounding...especially the teachers. There is lots of money in the system, it is the current government's choice on how they allocate $.
      The right to strike was a hard won over many years, with many improvements, equity, disability rights, the right to refuse unsafe work (remember that??? Canadian Labour Code...)etc etc etc

      Many thanks Charlie for posting this & your excellent journalism over the years.

      l.schmidt

      Sep 4, 2014 at 11:41pm

      No video.... what happened

      UBCTBIRD65

      Sep 5, 2014 at 5:35am

      I wish, I wish, I WISH that everybody would get to see this.

      In my dream world:
      'Teachers suck!' (shouted kneejerk reaction from some folks when the dreaded t-word comes out in conversation.)

      Watches video...

      'Errrr... Okay, the Premiere lies about teachers. But they still suck!'

      Progress, progress. Slow and painful, and still necessary. As is evidenced by this latest dispute, your average teacher is someone who willingly gives up their income in an effort to improve the lives of students. All that dough the teachers are losing right now - do you honestly believe that they'll ever get it back? Do you think they'd do all this for a lousy 1% per year raise? Or maybe they actually feel these extreme measures are necessary for a cause greater than that of personal enrichment.

      For all you haters out there - do you see that level of commitment in YOUR industry or profession? Please consider this the next time you hear a hastily-squawked attack on a teacher. They ain't perfect, but those folks are being starved out because they believe that kids deserve better than what is being offered by Victoria.

      Shocking

      Sep 5, 2014 at 7:35am

      Who would have thought a NDP think tank would come out in support of the BCTF. It's telling that all you have is
      arms length propaganda.

      Suspicous

      Sep 5, 2014 at 9:55am

      We wouldn't be in this mess, if Teachers were considered an "Essential Service". Furthermore if you want to see the rest of the story log onto the BC Liberal Web Site and get the true facts. Can't for the life of me understand why the Left Wing Media, and Left thinking people continue to embrace unions, when we all know that Unions are the demise of Progress.

      PO'd parent

      Sep 5, 2014 at 1:35pm

      Christy Clark has fumbled this and misread this entire situation so badly that it almost seems like her only way out now is to resign. I realize this video was made in jest, but the real press conference, without any doctoring, was just as humiliating for her--with her petty attacks on massages and the signing bonus etc. Does she really think that parents DON'T care about class sizes and how many special needs kids she is packing in to each one? She must be losing votes by the tens of thousands every day this idiotic stonewalling drags on.

      Proud Teacher

      Sep 5, 2014 at 4:00pm

      Shocking and suspicious appear to be part of the Troll force the Government have enlisted as part of their "digital influencers" to create a false sense of anti-teacher sentiments among the BC electorate. I am not shocked, but certainly suspicious of the Liberals' need to manufacture public approval.

      Roger LaBerge

      Sep 5, 2014 at 8:07pm

      I would like to know how much money does it cost the system for TOC's (substitute teachers). Abuse in the system has brought us to where we are! Regardless, let's get our children educated, let's meet all the demands of the teachers, let's put out there to the tax payer and vote on it!