Tired of Union Bashing!

I'm tired of people bashing unions. Unions are in place to help protect the workers' rights. The labour movement helped to secure privileges and standards that many of us enjoy today, including pensions, health insurance, the 8 hour work day, and living wages.

The labour union, especially in the public sector, helps to negotiate and arbitrate between the workers and the government. Without the labour union, the majority of people would still be working for sub-standard wages, with little benefits.

There is a lot of criticism from people about the rotating strike action of college support workers in BC. However, support workers, like any other worker, should be allowed to demand for fair treatment. How is it fair that the provincial government refuses to lift its zero wage mandate, while allowing colleges to give its administrators double-digit wage increases - up to 40% in the last two years - and in spite of a $2 billion provincial surplus this year? How is it acceptable that the BCGEU members have been working without a contract for 2 years?? Why is it acceptable that support workers have no wage increases for five of the past seven years, while administrators receive raises?

Support workers are more than mere secretaries and receptionists. These are the people who handle payroll, student grades, student loans, student registrations, recreational services, library services and so much more! With the increases in the standard of living and with inflation, the wage freeze means, essentially, being able to save less and less each year - support workers are actually losing money, rather than staying at the same wage level. Having no wage increase, despite increasing tuition fees, a provincial surplus AND raises for administrators is like a slap in the face, kick in the butt, and a mud pie thrown on.