Here’s a view from an educator of almost 45 years.
Van (Vancouver Public Schools-VPS) and Uni (the union, VAESP classified employees) are playing a game that isn’t going well for Van. Van picks up the ball and heads off the playground. Then Van turns back and takes the racquets and the net for “good measure.” Van walks away yelling back to Uni, “By the way, I’m taking the rules of the game, too!”
Moral: VPS has taken away pay, hours, work days, seniority rights for recall after layoff (the equipment) and the basic job protection of the VAESP contract (the rules) by “imposing” nonbargained language that was approved by the VPS school board.
As an educator, I know that when students are “behaving badly,” their actions need to be identified to them and promptly addressed. Then appropriate consequences ensue. VPS, you are behaving badly.
Stacy Bundt
VANCOUVER