Victoria: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to the 85.2% strike vote by the BCTF membership with sharp criticism. "Unfortunately, the strike vote isn't shocking; this union has never successfully negotiated a collective agreement. The current contract hasn't even expired and the BCTF already has its guns loaded and targets marked," said Sara MacIntyre, the CTF's BC director.

After dangling a billion dollar, taxpayer- funded carrot to initiate contract talks, the government successfully negotiated collective agreements covering close to 80 per cent of unionized workers in the province. Once again, however, the BCTF has proven its inability to negotiate in a framework that has worked well for every other union in the province. The BCTF is demanding a 24 per cent wage hike over three years. Currently, teachers across the province earn between $43,000 and $70,000 depending on seniority and enjoy benefits that are worth roughly 19 per cent of their salary. According to BC Stats, the personal income per capita for British Columbians in 2005 was $30,000.

"Teachers already get paid much more than the average British Columbian, enjoy a generous benefits package and get the summer off. Now, the BCTF is demanding a 24 per cent wage hike over three years! That's four times the rate of inflation. Private sector employees-who pay teachers' salaries-could only dream of such an increase," stated MacIntyre.

"Now, the public sees exactly what last year's illegal strike was all about: money. The provincial government addressed almost all of the 'working condition' complaints by the BCTF and yet they are still threatening to withhold education services. Certainly, most teachers work hard and no one expects them to work for free. But, let's get back to reality," MacIntyre said.

During last year's illegal strike by the BCTF the CTF helped co-ordinate a class action against the union for costs incurred by parents and businesses.