Dear Editor,
It’s ironic that it’s student graduation time and all that brain power that taught them how to think and to solve problems find themselves in this unfortunate,unwanted strike dilemma.
However, is the solution to the teachers strike self-evident, simple and very honorable?
Based on respected BC legislature reporter Mr. Tom Fletcher’s recent column (if I understand it correctly), the average teachers salary working nine hrs. a day for 189 days is around $72,000 a year or $42.32 per hour plus benefits plus 3 months prime time vacation.
Now the solution:
Teachers take a 50 percent cut in salary bringing the wage to$21.16, add a cost of living clause like the seniors get .
The salary cut would go towards smallerclassroom sizes, hiring special needs people etc. doubling the number of teachers thus putting more people to work resulting in shorter working hours, less income tax, less stress, sick time off, and medication. Every one gains, the teacher, the taxpayer and especially the student.
$21.16 plus benefits and 3 months vacation to pick fruit or pursue other endeavors is wonderful.
Working society seems to be increasingly headed to the minimum wage of $10.25 per hour. A 50 percent less than the $21.16 teacher salary. And the Senior? Maybe $7.00 per hour or one-third the teachers salary, but in both cases, most have to pay for their dental, medical premiums, massages, sick time or bereavement, etc. No benefits.
Solution is there, but like the Dodo bird, it probably won’t fly.
Joe Schwarz, Penticton B.C.