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Letters to the editor 11 · Wednesday, January 16, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Democracy is at the heart of teachers' struggle Re: Parent upset with teachers walking off jobs, and Parent protests walkouts, The Oakville Beaver, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 I would first like to say that I understand you may be frustrated with the whole situation as you have to quickly find childcare when they decide to protest. That said, you're being naïve and not looking at the bigger picture and therefore giving your child a poor understanding of what Canada is all about. Many people from all over the world come to Canada to experience its land and democratic government. Some of these people have fled other war-torn countries where there is a dictatorship and are coming to Canada to experience our democracy. However, the government is not being fair or democratic to the teachers or the teachers' union. The McGuinty government has taken away the right to bargain collectively, which is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms since being decided in 2002 from the Supreme Court of Canada. Under Section 2c in the Canadian Charter Rights of Freedoms, every citizen has the freedom of peaceful assembly. I would also like to point out the response to your daughter after she said she supported them. You said that all they were doing was whining and complaining. The teachers are "whining and complaining" because they have had their rights stripped away from them by the Liberal government. Your cost-effective way of getting rid of "executive positions at the top of all government bodies and unions" is very naïve. Unions are in place to protect the rights of workers and help them earn a fair wage, which entails a growing economy. Also, if you wanted to protest something at work, you're allowed to even if you work in the private or public sector, as there are laws in place that protect you from wrongful dismissal. These teachers are not being put into a difficult place by their union. As a matter of fact, 92 per cent of teachers in the ETFO union of 46,000 people voted in December to hold a protest if the contract was imposed on them from Bill 115. Maybe you should get all your facts straight before you whine and complain about having to find someone to look after your child. They deserve every cent they earn as they are teaching our kids how to be productive members of society and they socialize our children. These teachers are just trying to stand up for their rights and freedoms that were violated from our very selfish government. T. Quinn, Oakville Union alienated at least one parent Last week's protest has done the Ontario elementary teachers' union more harm than it possibly could have imagined. I'm not sure whose support it thought this action would garner, but as a working parent who had to scramble and pay for last-minute care for my children, only to find out less than an hour before school started that classes would be on, they alienated me more than ever. It's highly ironic the teachers' unions put out propaganda ads in November and December asking what the government was teaching our kids by taking away their democratic right to bargain. What are the unions teaching our children by choosing to break a law just because they didn't believe in it? It's a real shame the unions are tainting so many people's views of the teaching profession. I know many noble, caring and dedicated teachers who want nothing to do with what the unions are asking, but they have little choice. Many parents who have the means are considering moving their children into the private school stream to avoid further union/government action. This only hurts our public school system as funding dollars are based primarily on student head count. This leaves teachers and our kids even worse off, but it wouldn't seem as though the unions are factoring that in. If the unions want to take these actions, then they have to be prepared to accept the consequences -- just as we teach our children. Gaylen Silvait, Oakville HARDWOOD BANKRUPTCY SALE The Kultur Flooring Factory is closed! We MUST clear the stock. Only limited time access to the premises. SHOP NOW FOR BEST SELECTION Try walking a mile in their shoes Continued from page 6 put into practice the better your results might be, but it is what is in the heart that makes a good teacher. Those are the teachers who you remember, who made a difference in your life, and in addition to the academics, what they taught you about life. So please, the next time you bash a teacher or criticize them globally, break it down to the individual teacher, walk a mile in their shoes, those super heroes, who rarely get an accolade, but do their jobs day in and day out with grace, enthusiasm and commitment. Every profession has its share of lessthan-perfect employees but honestly could any of them do what teachers do every day? Sandra Silver, Oakville 600,000 SQUARE FEET IN STOCK & MUST GO. Unfinished Stair Nose Mouldings Unfinished Flooring (Oak, Maple & Jatoba) Limited Quantities From 99 3 ¢sq. ft. 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