Is Essential Really Essential?

Are we really surprised by the current situation with the BCTF and the provincial government? Did we not see this coming months ago? Of course We did, we knew.

Whatever your feelings about the teacher dispute: too much too soon, they're overpaid already, everyone else is belt tightening, children are our future, BC place roof! (not sure about that one but have heard it a lot) I am sure that most would agree that the manner in which this whole episode has shaken out is like watching a car crash in slow motion.

There seems to be a great deal of debate on TV and radio as to whether or not the collective bargaining process in BC between public sector unions and government is working at all. Negotiating any agreement is a pain staking exercise full of mundane details and excruciatingly slow processes. One which I am sure the average BCer (or at least myself) would not like to engage in at the best of times. A net zero mandate is a great starting point, as is a 5,10,15,20 percent in wage increase (depending on who you are listening to) on the part of the BCTF. Unfortunately these positions result in an impossible middle ground, if you divide any number by zero, your calculator blows up.

Setting the political and the financial aside, I think that the larger issue in our province around this debate and the public sector as a whole, is perhaps the definition of what is deemed an "essential service." When the BCTF decided that they were going to proceed with strike action, they first needed to go to the Labour Board and ask permission. Ask permission, for a strike.

Now I cannot be the only one who is lost in this, I mean, it seems a little counter intuitive does it not? I understood the point of striking was to demonstrate something. Primarily that we (the public who utilize/purchase the product/service) may actually need the service/product that is being made/facilitated by the striking party. Thereby proving the value of the very service/product that has been suspended. I would point to the postal strike last year, as evidence. Yes, they were legislated back to work, but they were compliant in that process as we all discovered something amazing. We don't really use the mail all that much. If we did, you can bet that CUPW (Canadian Union of Postal Workers) could have walked away and held out and we all would have collectively demanded the Government provide a little more to them. The same could be said of the Air Canada strike, answer there: there are other airline options. The Strike back east of the Caterpillar employees response: we can get our machines put together in Mexico for cheaper as people don't want to pay more.

Police, Firefighters, Ambulance: Any service that I would call 911 for, I think we can all agree should be defined as an essential service. If I call upon them and they do not come, I could die. That is essential, death, life... essential. School for my child? Well.... maybe not. If in this province I can choose to home school my son, or hire some nutjob to come by and tutor him in Wiccan (so long as he meets the standard testing prescribed by the province) I would not necessarily deem this an essential service. Now I (like many across the province) have a job that occurs during the same core hours as school, as does my wife. Neither of us make enough money so that we could afford the luxury of one staying at home to teach our son (nor am I confident in our skills to do this) This then presents a conundrum if (should read when) the teachers go on strike. While it is a pain in the ass, and causes us financial hardship, I will not die when the teachers are on strike. I will continue to live and breathe.

Unfortunately for government this poses a problem. They cannot enact: "Pain in the ass and financial Hardship" Legislation. Nor can they simply cede to the demand of teachers every time they sit down at the bargaining table. What to do?

A smart government would start by deeming the service teachers provide as core to the being of their citizenry, and make grand gestures to this effect, indicating support and singing the praises of the education system as a bedrock for the "future of our province." That would be a start. Teachers would then need to ask permission to strike, and even when granted would need to give notice to that effect. Then a smart government would be in a position to negotiate in a more advantageous environment, as teachers would not be likely to walk out all the time, (given they could simply be legislated back to work) a smart government could ensure education costs and wages do not spiral out of control. Teachers are not the type to commit illegal action, once a law is enacted, they would grumble but likely return to the job. Pure genius on the part of a smart government.

The downside of this is not immediate or obvious. The public, doesn't get the opportunity to decide for itself what the worth of teachers are, whether or not they're an "essential service." And over time the teachers themselves become more and more dissatisfied and frustrated. The culmination of which is simple. One day (and not to suggest that it is at all on the immediate horizon) back to work legislation is simply not going to work. And we as British Columbians will have to decide whether our public education system is actually essential, or simply unimportant. I would suggest that the actions of the BC Liberal government have demonstrated that they know the answer, and are clamoring to ensure it does not get out.