Facebook
B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender has asked the teachers to stop striking now, please. I guess he hadn't thought to ask previously. I guess he thinks if he asks, we will be so dazzled by this new idea that we will drop our picket signs in the nearest trash can and rush back to work.
Mr. Fassbender would like a "cooling off period." He seems to feel that the past two months of rejecting B.C. Teachers' Federation President Jim Iker's repeated requests to meet and negotiate were a bit too hot, so we need to wait a while longer before he refuses another overture. It's okay, Mr. Fassbender. It'll be cool enough soon; fall is in the air.
Mr. Fassbender would like teachers to stop asking for class size and composition funding. We all know we greedy teachers are giving up our salaries because we like to grandstand, and so he'd appreciate it if we'd just stop worrying about the kids and get back to worrying about our salaries.
Mr Fassbender would like teachers to quit worrying about the two court cases we won.
Mr. Fassbender would like teachers to stop making outrageous demands for "benefits." He thinks the numbers are just too high. Of course, he's calling the cost of educational assistants a "benefit."
Mr. Fassbender would like teachers to start volunteering, stop working lunch hours, stop volunteering, start volunteering, just get back to work. He thinks we should trust him to be fair; this time, he means it.
Mr. Fassbender reminds us all that he is a grandfather. He wants us to know that because of this, he understands the needs of children. We, parents and grandparents ourselves, of course, don't share his insight, because it is negated by our status as teachers.
Mr. Fassbender wants Mr. Iker to poll the teachers for their opinions. He thinks maybe Mr. Iker is confused about what we want. I think we should help Mr. Fassbender to understand that we know what we want.
We want our students to have timely assessment, access to libraries and specialists, reasonable class sizes, and properly funded schools. We want, in short, a quality public education. We don't need a poll. We need funding. I don't mind helping explain, though.
I hate to disappoint you, Mr. Fassbender, but it doesn't matter how nicely you ask. What matters is that you fund public education. Properly.
Mr. Fassbender, until you do that, the answer is no.
RELATED ON HUFFPOST:
B.C. Teachers' Strike 2014
(01 of159)
Coquitlam teachers get information before voting on a contract deal with the province on Sept. 18, 2014. (credit:Amanda Long/Twitter)
(02 of159)
Coquitlam teachers gather to vote on the contract deal with the province on Sept. 18, 2014. (credit:Amanda Long/Twitter)
(03 of159)
Teachers celebrate news of a tentative deal in their contract dispute with the province on Sept. 16, 2014. (credit:Anica Grenzberg/Facebook)
(04 of159)
Jim Iker, president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation, recommended members ratify the tentative deal at a news conference in Vancouver on Sept. 16, 2014. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(05 of159)
Premier Christy Clark beamed and patted Education Minister Peter Fassbender on the back as she thanked students and parents for their patience at a news conference on Sept. 16, 2014. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(06 of159)
A teacher holds a sign referring to mediator Vince Ready. (credit:Anica Grenzberg/Facebook)
(07 of159)
Teachers in Kelowna were all smiles on Sept. 16, 2014 as they welcomed news a tentative deal was reached between their union and the province. (credit:Trevor Rockcliffe/Castanet.net)
(08 of159)
The bargaining team and table officers of the B.C. Teachers' Federation at the Delta Hotel where a tentative deal was reached on Sept. 16, 2014. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(09 of159)
Parents rallied and marched in downtown Vancouver on Sept. 14, 2014 to support striking public teachers. (credit:BCTF/Twitter)
(10 of159)
(credit:BCTF/Twitter)
(11 of159)
Striking teachers bundle up in Fort Nelson on Sept. 12, 2014. (credit:BCTF/Twitter)
(12 of159)
(credit:Imgur)
(13 of159)
Click here for full coverage of the contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(14 of159)
A rally in Kamloops on Sept. 8, 2014. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(15 of159)
Executives of the B.C. Teachers' Federation thank other unions for their support. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(16 of159)
A rally in Abbotsford on Sept. 5, 2014. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(17 of159)
Hundreds rallied at Vancouver's Canada Place on Sept. 5, 2014. (credit:B.C. Federation of Labour/Facebook)
(18 of159)
(credit:B.C. Federation of Labour/Facebook)
(19 of159)
(credit:B.C. Federation of Labour/Facebook)
(20 of159)
(credit:B.C. Federation of Labour/Facebook)
(21 of159)
(credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(22 of159)
(credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(23 of159)
(credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(24 of159)
(credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(25 of159)
McGee Secondary School classrooms in Vancouver sit empty on Sept. 5, 2014 during what was supposed to be the first week of school. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(26 of159)
A reporter tries to ask a question as B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender talk about the ongoing teachers' dispute at a news conference in Vancouver on Sept. 3, 2014. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(27 of159)
B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender leave a news conference after talking about the ongoing teachers' dispute in Vancouver on Sept.3, 2014. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(28 of159)
B.C students who are missing public school because of the teachers' strike rallied in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Sept. 2, 2014 against the job action. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
(29 of159)
Emma Jackson, 14, entering Grade 10 at Windermere Secondary School, holds a sign with purposely misspelled words. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
(30 of159)
Cleo Petric-Neighbour, left, and her friend Milan Gill, both six years old and entering Grade 1 at Lord Roberts Elementary School hold signs at the Vancouver rally. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
(31 of159)
Ray Stewart, a teacher from Keating Elementary Saanich School district, joins parents, teachers and politicians rallying for B.C. education dubbed "Christy's Class" during a teach-in on the B.C. Legislature lawn in Victoria, B.C., Sept. 2, 2014 during what should be the first day of classes across the province. (credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(32 of159)
(credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(33 of159)
(credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(34 of159)
Kids draw chalk outlines as they join with their parents, teachers and politicians rally on the B.C. Legislature lawn in Victoria, B.C., September 2, 2014 during what should be the first day of classes across the province. (credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(35 of159)
Teachers walk the picket line outside the Britannia Secondary and Elementary Schools in Vancouver on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(36 of159)
Teachers man the picket line outside the Britannia Secondary and Elementary Schools in Vancouver, B.C. Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(37 of159)
B.C. Teachers' Federation (BCTF) President Jim Iker speaks to the media regarding the ongoing teachers strike outside the Britannia Secondary and Elementary Schools in Vancouver on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(38 of159)
(credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
(39 of159)
Terri Scott, a sub-local president in Stewart, B.C., gets an unexpected picket line visitor on Aug. 29, 2014. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(40 of159)
B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender speaks about the teachers' strike and confirms classes at public school will not begin as scheduled, during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday Aug. 31, 2014. (credit:Darryl Dyck/CP)
(41 of159)
Mediator Vince Ready arrives at exploratory talks in the B.C. teachers' dispute on Aug. 28, 2014. After two days, he walked away from the meetings, saying the two sides were still too far apart for mediation to begin. (credit:Canadian Press)
(42 of159)
B.C. Teachers' Federation president Jim Iker listens to a reporter's question in Victoria, B.C. on Aug. 27, 2014 after a meeting with all sides in the teachers' contract dispute at the legislature in Victoria. (credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(43 of159)
Education Minister Peter Fassbender speaks to media in Victoria, B.C., Aug. 27, 2014. A face-to-face meeting between all sides in the strike by public school teachers was held at the legislature in Victoria. (credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(44 of159)
Click here for full coverage of the contract dispute. (credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(45 of159)
B.C. senior government negotiator Peter Cameron speaks to media in Victoria, B.C. on Aug. 27, 2014 after a meeting with all sides in the teachers' contract dispute at the legislature in Victoria. (credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(46 of159)
(credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
(47 of159)
Teachers rally in Kamloops where their union was holding its summer meeting on Aug. 24, 2014. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(48 of159)
Teachers gather in Campbell River on Aug. 8, 2014. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(49 of159)
Pickets have been held every Wednesday in Vernon. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(50 of159)
The Creston Valley Teachers' Association have been picketing in August. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(51 of159)
Saanich teachers were out raising support for their cause in early August. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(52 of159)
Rally in Vanderhoof. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(53 of159)
Rally in Vanderhoof. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(54 of159)
Rally in Vanderhoof. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(55 of159)
Teachers hold signs in Fort Nelson. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(56 of159)
A picket line in Kamloops-Thompson on Aug. 7, 2014. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(57 of159)
Teachers picket in front of Conrad Elementary School in Prince Rupert on Aug. 5, 2014. (credit:BCTF/Facebook)
(58 of159)
Teachers picket in Creston, B.C. on July 29, 2014. (credit:Facebook)
(59 of159)
Gwen Floyd, centre, and her sons Quinlan Floyd, 5, dressed as Batman and Aidan Floyd, 9, dressed as a police officer, walk the picket line with teachers Brigitte Boily, left, Matthew McBride and Olivier Salvas, far right, outside L'Ecole Bilingue Elementary School on the first day of a full-scale walkout by B.C. public school teachers in Vancouver on June 17, 2014. (credit:Darryl Dyck/CP)
(60 of159)
Dressed as a police officer Aidan Floyd, 9, left, and his brother Quinlan Floyd, 5, dressed as Batman, walk with striking teachers and their mom, Gwen Floyd outside L'Ecole Bilingue Elementary School on the first day of a full-scale walkout by B.C. public school teachers in Vancouver on June 17, 2014. (credit:Darryl Dyck/CP)
(61 of159)
From left to right, Caroline Lichimo, a Grade 1 teacher, Lyse Cote, a teacher librarian, and Ginaya Peters, who teaches French immersion to special needs students, talk while sitting on the picket line outside Lord Tennyson Elementary School on the first day of a full-scale walkout by B.C. public school teachers in Vancouver on June 17, 2014. (credit:Darryl Dyck/CP)
(62 of159)
B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender walks to meet reporters in Vancouver on the first day of a full-scale walkout by B.C. public school teachers. (credit:Darryl Dyck/CP)
(63 of159)
B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender speaks about the status of bargaining with the teachers' union on June 17, 2014. (credit:Darryl Dyck/CP)
(64 of159)
Hundreds of B.C. teachers, parents and other union supporters rallied on the lawn of the B.C. legislature on June 16, 2014 in Victoria to protest against Premier Christy Clark and the government's latest contract offer. (credit:Chad Hipolito/CP)
(66 of159)
(credit:Chad Hipolito/CP)
(67 of159)
(credit:Chad Hipolito/CP)
(68 of159)
B.C. Teachers' Federation head Jim Iker speaks to media on the first day of the union's full-scale walkout on June 17, 2014. (credit:BCTF)
(69 of159)
Teachers walk the picket line in Fort Nelson, B.C. on the first day of the full-scale strike on June 17, 2014. (credit:R Johnson)
(70 of159)
Teachers walk the picket line in Fort Nelson, B.C. on June 17, 2014. (credit:R Johnson)
(71 of159)
Teachers walk the picket line in Burnaby, B.C. on June 17, 2014. (credit:Arabella Bowman)
(72 of159)
Teachers walk the picket line in Burnaby, B.C. on June 17, 2014. (credit:Arabella Bowman)
(73 of159)
A rally in support of the BCTF was held in Victoria on June 16. (credit:Sally Gilbert)
(74 of159)
A rally in support of the BCTF was held in Victoria on June 16. (credit:BCTF)
(75 of159)
Hundreds of teachers rally at Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby on June 16, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(76 of159)
(credit:Carol Topalian)
(77 of159)
(credit:Carol Topalian)
(78 of159)
(credit:Carol Topalian)
(79 of159)
(credit:Carol Topalian)
(80 of159)
(credit:Carol Topalian)
(81 of159)
Hundreds of teachers rally in Burnaby on June 16, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(82 of159)
Hundreds of teachers rally in Burnaby on June 16, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(83 of159)
Hundreds of teachers rally in Burnaby on June 16, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(84 of159)
Hundreds of teachers rally in Burnaby on June 16, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(85 of159)
Hundreds of teachers rally in Burnaby on June 16, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(86 of159)
Hundreds of teachers rally in Burnaby on June 16, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(87 of159)
Students use protest signs referencing the "Harry Potter" franchise and B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender. (credit:Facebook)
(88 of159)
A crowd rallies in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(89 of159)
A crowd rallies in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014.
(90 of159)
A crowd rallies in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(91 of159)
A crowd rallies in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(92 of159)
A crowd rallies in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(93 of159)
A crowd rallies in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(94 of159)
A crowd rallies in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(95 of159)
NDP MLA Adrian Dix addresses the crowd at a rally in front of the Vancouver office of the B.C. Public School Employers' Association on June 10, 2014. (credit:Carol Topalian)
(96 of159)
A record turnout of teachers voted on escalating job action to a full-scale strike on June 9/10, 2014. (credit:EJ Ramos Samson)
(97 of159)
A record turnout of teachers voted on escalating job action to a full-scale strike on June 9/10, 2014. (credit:Lizanne Foster)
(98 of159)
A crowd rallies in Victoria on June 10, 2014. (credit:Facebook)
(99 of159)
Teachers in Vancouver eat their lunch on the street because they're locked out during their midday break. (credit:Courtesy Wendy Lau)
(100 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(101 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(102 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(103 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(104 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(105 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(106 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(107 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(108 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(109 of159)
Hundreds attend a rally in Surrey, B.C. on June 7, 2014 to support teachers in their contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(110 of159)
Parents support teachers on the picket line in Summerland on June 6, 2014. (credit:Facebook)
(111 of159)
Teachers take a stand in Pemberton on June 6, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Facebook)
(112 of159)
Students show their support for B.C. teachers on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery. (credit:Facebook)
(113 of159)
Students at John Oliver Secondary School in Vancouver walked out of class on June 4, 2014 to protest being put in the middle of the contract dispute between teachers and the province.Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Star Allison Martin/Facebook)
(114 of159)
Students at John Oliver Secondary School in Vancouver walked out of class on June 4, 2014 to protest being put in the middle of the contract dispute between teachers and the province. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Star Allison Martin/Facebook)
(115 of159)
Students in Campbell River walked out of class on June 4, 2014 to protest being put in the middle of the contract dispute between teachers and the province. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Shania Sloat/Facebook)
(116 of159)
Teachers rally in Comox, B.C. on June 3, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Glen Hansman/Twitter)
(117 of159)
Members from the BCTF francophonie local picket outside Ecole Au Coeur De L'ile in Comox. (credit:Glen Hansman/Twitter)
(118 of159)
Members of the B.C. Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress gather to support teachers outside Cambie Secondary School in Richmond, B.C. on June 2, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Glen Hansman/Twitter)
(119 of159)
Members of CUPE join teachers on the picket line at Mitchell Elementary in Richmond, B.C. on June 2, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Twitter)
(120 of159)
Union leaders speak to media on June 2, 2014 in Richmond, B.C. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(121 of159)
Teachers picket in West Kelowna on June 2, 2014. (credit:Castanet.net)
(122 of159)
B.C. Teachers' Federal president Jim Iker speaks to teachers outside Princess Margaret School in Surrey on May 29, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Twitter)
(123 of159)
Striking outside the Invergarry Adult Education Centre in Surrey, B.C. on May 29, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Twitter)
(124 of159)
B.C. Teachers' Federal president Jim Iker speaks to teachers outside Invergarry Adult Education Centre in Surrey on May 29, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Twitter)
(125 of159)
Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(126 of159)
Teachers wave to supporters outside Valleyview Secondary School in Kamloops on May 28, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Glen Hansman/Twitter)
(127 of159)
Teachers picket in Kamloops on May 28, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Glen Hansman/Twitter)
(128 of159)
A student shows support for teachers in Kamloops on May 28, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Jason Karpuk/Twitter)
(129 of159)
A teacher pickets on horseback in 150 Mile House on May 27, 2014. (credit:Shannon Rerie/Twitter)
(130 of159)
A sign posted on a classroom door at Vancouver Technical Secondary School. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(131 of159)
Teachers rally during rush hour in Kelowna on May 27, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Glen Hansman/Twitter)
(132 of159)
Kelowna teachers wore pink and rallied from the city's overpasses on May 27, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Twitter)
(133 of159)
A sign of support for B.C. teachers from a house in Kelowna. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Glen Hansman/Twitter)
(134 of159)
Teachers in Richmond pass time on the 3:30 a.m. shift on the picket line on May 27, 2014.Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Richmond Teachers/Twitter)
(135 of159)
Students and parents left a message for teachers in Richmond on May 27, 2014. Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Richmond Teachers/Twitter)
(136 of159)
On the picket line with an effigy of B.C. Premier Christy Clark at Kitsilano Secondary School on May 26, 2014.Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Tobey Steeves/Twitter)
(137 of159)
A student from City School speaks to a teacher on the picket line in Vancouver on May 26, 2014.Click here for stories on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Tobey Steeves/Twitter)
(138 of159)
On the picket line at Kitsilano Secondary School on May 26, 2014. Click here for more on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Tobey Steeves/Twitter)
britannia(139 of159)
A teacher on strike at Britannia Secondary School in Vancouver on May 26, 2014. Click here for more on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Tobey Steeves/Twitter)
(140 of159)
Teachers stand under the sign for Templeton High School in Vancouver on May 26, 2014. Click here for more on the B.C. teachers' contract dispute. (credit:Tobey Steeves/Twitter)
(141 of159)
Teachers on strike speak to a supporter outside Templeton Secondary School in Vancouver on May 26, 2014. (credit:Tobey Steeves/Twitter)
(142 of159)
Ryan Tanabe, left, a teacher, and his father Rod Tanabe, a counsellor teacher at Killarney Secondary School, walk the picket line outside the school in Vancouver on May 26, 2014.Click here for more on the B.C. teachers contract dispute. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
(143 of159)
Teachers in the central Okanagan were part of rotating strikes on May 27, 2014. These are educators from Constable Neil Bruce Middle School in West Kelowna. (credit:Trevor Rockcliffe/Castanet)
(144 of159)
Supporters of B.C. teachers rally in the Sooke School District. (credit:Georgette Walker/Twitter )
(145 of159)
Surrey teachers pose with their growing pile of marking during the first day of rotating strikes. (credit:Laura C. Barker/Twitter)
(146 of159)
Teachers picket in New Westminster on May 26, the first day of rotating strikes in a contract dispute with the province. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(147 of159)
Grade 12 Eric Hamber Secondary student Sarah Bercic wears a T-shirt supporting B.C. teachers. (credit:Carrie Bercic/Twitter)
(148 of159)
Teachers picket in Penticton on May 26, the first day of rotating strikes in a contract dispute with the province. (credit:Castanet)
(149 of159)
Anya Prokopeva, 8, a Grade 3 student in New Westminister, and her mom Julie Prokopeva, right, a member of the support staff at Killarney Secondary School, pass by striking teachers as they leave after walking the picket line outside the school in Vancouver on May 26, 2014. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
(150 of159)
Anya Prokopeva, 8, a Grade 3 student in New Westminister, uses a strike sign for shade rests as her mom Julie Prokopeva, a member of the support staff at Killarney Secondary School, walks a picket line outside the school in Vancouver on May 26, 2014. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
(151 of159)
One of the earliest picket lines on the first day of the teachers' walkout was in Golden, B.C., which is in the Mountain time zone. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(152 of159)
Jim Iker, president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation, speaks to reporters on May 26, the first day of rotating strikes, at Vancouver's Charles Dickens Elementary. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(153 of159)
Jim Iker, president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation, speaks to reporters on May 26, the first day of rotating strikes, at Vancouver's Charles Dickens Elementary. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(154 of159)
Jim Iker, president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation, speaks to reporters on May 26, the first day of rotating strikes, at Vancouver's Charles Dickens Elementary. (credit:B.C. Teachers' Federation/Facebook)
(155 of159)
Striking teachers man a picket line outside Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver on May 26, 2014. Public school teachers across British Columbia started rotating strikes Monday, a move that will put more than half a million students out of class for one day each this week. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
(156 of159)
B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan poses with teachers in the Sooke School District. (credit:Georgette Walker/Twitter)
(157 of159)
A rally in Coquitlam on May 25. (credit:Twitter @missamandalong)
(158 of159)
Premier Christy Clark's face is seen on anti-bullying T-shirts at a rally in Coquitlam. (credit:Twitter @missamandalong)
(159 of159)
Surrey teachers at Johnston Heights Secondary rally on May 23, 2014. (credit:Laura C. Barker/Twitter)