Langley teachers out in force Wednesday
Donning placards and wearing the anti-bullying colour of pink, Langley teachers lined both sides of 200 Street on Wednesday morning.
The sea of teachers could be seen from Fraser Highway, all the way to the top of the pedestrian overpass located north of 65 Avenue.
Teachers are wearing pink to emphasize the bullying tactics they feel the government has taken in this labour dispute.
The majority of the protest was getting support by drivers, many honking and giving the teachers the thumb’s up.
“We’ve had a few fingers but much more support,” said one teacher.
A home economic teacher, who has taught for 30 years in the Langley school district, said she has never seen the government treat teachers this badly. The more than 1,000 teachers who lined 200 Street headed to a rally held at the Langley Events Centre. Susan Lambert, the president of the B.C. Teachers Federation was expected to speak, along with Barry O’Neil, the president of the B.C. Federation of Labour.
Langley teachers said they will be back at work on Thursday, despite some speculation they might illegally strike. Wednesday marked the third day teachers walked off the job. Langley schools go on spring break next week.
Teachers will be laying more than 200 pink wreaths at the door of MLA Rich Coleman’s office. The wreaths are meant to symbolize the death of public education should the government’s Bill 22 pass, said Langley Teachers Association president Gail Chaddock-Costello.
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