1980sToday

A fan of (almost) all things 1980s; cars, motorcycles, movies, and music in particular. Labour activist & commentator on the public sector in times of need.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@davemccr @jinnysims The unilateral increase in prep time, pay for extra duties, and top end of the grid combine to make a far more attractive deal than most provinces have; I wonder if this was done to entice Ontario teachers to move West.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@SarahMiller1746 @TalkerTeacher @BCNDPCaucus At no time did I suggest that schools should not teach these skills - I was attempting to suggest that if the choice was between unfettered access to social media on personal devices or no personal devices, the latter was better. Of course digital literacy should be taught.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@TalkerTeacher @BCNDPCaucus True; mind you, perhaps this could serve as a basis for focusing more on foundational skills development? I would simply think that most educators would prefer phones to be banned in a meaningful way and to find a way around the challenges that presents.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@TalkerTeacher @BCNDPCaucus The unintentionally-glib response would be, 'do without'; until an adequate solution in the form of govt-provided tech arrives, I imagine most (not all) classes can still work via texts, photocopies, pen and paper. I'm not sure that there is an alternative.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@yvrteacher @TalkerTeacher @bctf @Dave_Eby The BCTF is barely a union at this point - it is a political party; it has neither the drive nor the orientation to support a labour-first approach to the profession, but complains about shortcomings in it. The irony is both palpable and sad.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@theLUCASTDS I continue to be surprised by the fact that one of the largest unions in B.C. does not actually 'do' much union work - their AGMs resemble political party conventions. Do they even have candidates that run on labour-first platforms?

[The Critical Drinker @TheCriticalDri2]

While most actors recite mindless political talking points and berate you for not agreeing, Tom Cruise just... thanks you for watching his movies. Its crazy, but it just might work.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@theLUCASTDS My view would be that the more authentically Christmas is celebrated, the better - that would extend to having a real tree (but again, just my take on it).

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@richardzussman The deals unions are signing are objectively poor - the salary or wage increases are all below inflation and don’t secure better supports or services for the public/students; for example, there are no new supports for students in the latest teacher deal.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@nspector4 It's remarkable how much the love and appreciation of a well-designed, attractive, and engaging car to drive has simply vanished in the latest generation... though given that 'fun' cars back in the day were far more affordable, I suppose that (sadly) makes sense.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@theLUCASTDS @yvrteacher @krbisset @jheighton3 @DaisyTracy Fair enough - though I wouldn't say political is the term that comes to mind; many simply aren't that involved in their union and don't critically look at how their representatives handle matters - take a look at your next union meeting and notice just how few are present.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@theLUCASTDS @yvrteacher @krbisset @jheighton3 @DaisyTracy Respectfully, referring to a few thousand of your colleagues as a 'non issue' isn't helpful - and 10,000 others didn't vote. One could easily suppose that the 'yes' was more a case that teachers just had no heart to draw this out - not that they actually LIKED the deal.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@gbcyvr @yvrteacher @theLUCASTDS @jheighton3 Gov't did not believe (and they are correct) that teachers (as a collective) have much stomach for a fight, so they low-balled them knowing they'd sign (and they did). This is a union issue across B.C. - don't complain about your wages/conditions if you vote to perpetuate them.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@GoCanGoose @GreaseFriday @MissedRetweet @xmarylawrence @DaveFuck10 @richardzussman Honest question - what's fair about it? It is a pay-cut. It does nothing to improve your working conditions. To whom is this deal fair, other than the government and (to borrow the Right-wing strawman of choice) 'the taxpayers'?

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@GreaseFriday @MissedRetweet @xmarylawrence @DaveFuck10 @richardzussman That's the issue - the #BCTF leadership went for a 'hard sell' on the contract; the deal agreed to is virtually indistinguishable from the 'unacceptable' one that was on the table mere weeks earlier. Teachers got what they asked for - a pay-cut and the same working conditions.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@theLUCASTDS @jheighton3 @yvrteacher Sounds like you need to elect more labour-oriented leaders, and it is still true that a ‘no’ doesn’t equal ‘strike’ - if your leaders implied such, that was misleading. Encourage others to take a more active role in union affairs - perhaps next time things will be better.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@DaveFuck10 @yvrteacher @Bubb67694586 @bctf As you teach math, then you also know you just signed up for a pay cut - the contract wage increase is lower than inflation both is currently and is projected to be - you’re therefore actually better off now than you will be in three years vis-a-vis how far your money will go.

[1980sToday @1980sToday]

@paulgfinch @richardzussman The BCGEU signing a sub-inflation contract with very few working conditions improvements 'set the pattern' - the government is not going to deviate over-much from what already is in place for other unions. BC unions saw their pay degrade in this round vis-a-vis cost of living.