A8 - Wednesday, November 23, 1983 - North Shore News Gi mailbox DX ‘Disgusted “ over teachers’ strike OPEN LETTER TO NV SCHOOL BOARD We write to express our disgust at the recent walk-out (commencing November 8) by the majority of teachers in the North Vancouver District schools. We, as parents and tax- payers, feel that the teachers have no right to use our children to achieve their union-inspired and political aims. This action by the BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) was initially purported to be in support of the BC Govern- ment Employees Union (BCGEU) members’ grievances against the provin- cial government. The BCTF now claims that it was strik- ing for ‘quality of education”’ Firstly, the BCGEU gnevances have nothing to do with the teachers. Secondly, if teachers had any concern for the quality of education they would not walk away from their teaching responsibilities, break their contract with the public, and penalize our children by jeopardiziang the children’s education. In comparison with many other western countries, teachers in Canada are among the most highly paid, enjoy the most support facilities and work the least hours. The teachers’ contention that the quality of education is imperiled by restraint in the education budget is unfound- ed. More money will not necessarily maintain nor im- prove the quality. A higher standard of education would be better assured if teachers were to improve their attitude toward their public-entrusted duties and honour their pro- fessional responsibilities. In these times of recession and mnecesary economic Testraint, private sector employees are suffering severe hardships of layoffs or reduced salaries/wages. The teachers, by their irresponsi- ble action, show themselves to be insensitive not only to the chidren’s needs but also to the plight of the general public whose taxes pay for education. Terence K. Anstey Julia C. Anstey North Vancouver Anti-teacher ‘demo’ over in 10 minutes Dear Editor We were disturbed to see the photograph on the front page of the North Shore News (Wednesday, Nov. 16) of two parents demonstrating on Tuesday November 8. We were able to observe this ‘‘demonstration’’ from a daycare centre across the street from Lynn Valley school. We saw the two women drive up in a station wagon with children in the back. We watched as they got their picket signs and walked to the end of the block (leav- ing some of the children un- supervised in the car). We also observed them return to their car where they met a North Shore News photographer (who was con- veniently present), pose for a few pictures, get back into their car and drive away. The entire ‘‘demonstration’’ took a total of about ten minutes. We find it distressing that your paper chose to give this coverage to these parents as opposed to the teachers. Even though you may not agree with what the teachers were trying to accomplish or their methods (and you ob- viously don’t) as a newspaper you have the responsibility to tell the real story which was about teachers picketing for three days in the dark, rain and wind because they care about the welfare of the children, rather than two parents who spent 10 minutes demonstrating. Finally, while we agree that everyone has a right toexpress their opinions, we feel that the ultimate responsibility for the children belongs to the parents, not the teachers. Cara Elrod Helen Bellwood Two concerned daycare supervisors North Vancouver Thank you, WV voters Dear Editor | wish to express my sincere appreciation to all the people who supported me in the West Vancouver Municipal Elections Although I was not suc cessful in my bid for office, a gives me deep satisfaction that the populace were given the opportunity to question, if they so desired, all of the candidates who allowed their names to be placed before the electorate To my many fmends and supporters who worked so diligently on my behalf, my heart felt thanks To the suc cessful candidates, my congratulations Tom Reid West Vancouves Everything in Store up to 60% ott Do your Christmas Buying Now! a KRIS WATCH SHOP A growing number of Canadian communities are showing what can be accomplished when people work together to prevent crime. 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