Post date: Sep 12, 2011 7:53:13 PM
Winston Hrechka – PTA President
Even though the last decade has been marked by modest salary increases and relative labour peace, PTA members continue to actively advocate for teachers, students and public education. Advocating for education is a preeminent role for members and the most important way that this advocacy can be demonstrated is by casting a ballot on Election Day. All of us must vote in order that the voices of educators are heard. The voices of members on Election Day have indeed shaped education in the past.
Since 1999, the tone of the government’s approach to education in Manitoba has changed. While there have been challenges for educators over the last decade, these challenges pale when compared to the 1990’s. However, many current members were not employed during the 90’s and therefore did not experience the educational turmoil of that decade. As Election Day approaches, we must not be complacent. Our collective memory can recall the times of the turbulent 90’s when funding to education in this province was cut back and the public system seemed to be under constant attack.
The 90’s witnessed erosion in working conditions for members. Teachers received salary roll backs through the loss of P.D. days. During the 90’s, teachers lost 18% of salary to inflation. Restrictions were placed upon the collective bargaining process that undermined a free and open negotiating process (Bill 72). As funding was cut back, workloads for educators increased with the introduction of standards tests, the 200 day school year (with a pre-Labour Day start) and the ever increasing demands to do more with less. Seven hundred teaching positions were lost and class sizes increased. The government of the day seemed to be less concerned with supporting teachers and best practice and more concerned with fiscal restraint.
Being in the frontlines, members were vocal opponents to the actions of the government and the negative impact these actions were having in the classroom. MTS suspended all standing and ad hoc committees to focus efforts in opposition to Bill 72. The MTS AGM used an afternoon session to march to the legislature in order to visibly demonstrate our opposition. On a Saturday afternoon, teachers from around the province rallied at the legislative grounds to protest the cutbacks and the serious implications of these cut backs to the classroom. This rally of educators from around the province in the mid 90’s was a testament to how passionately teachers support public education and each other. It also illustrated the effectiveness of collective action. Members were able to focus the public’s attention upon education which became a major issue in the next election.
This period in time is part of our collective memory. “As a rule, memories fade with the passage of time”. However, as we approach October 4th, what can PTA members do to prevent history from repeating itself?
On October 4 (or earlier at an advance poll) support public education and member welfare by casting your ballot alongside the 330 members of the PTA and the 15000 members of the Society.