致卑诗华裔学生家长们的一封公开信

（作者/空因http://kongyin99.blogspot.ca）

亲爱的家长们，

我是空因，温哥华的一名华裔诗人。素来，我对政治是避而远之的，但是现在，在良心和道义的驱使下，我想就最近的教师罢工一事，跟大家说上几句心里话。

首先，我完全理解你们作为父母们的痛苦心理 --- 孩子们有学不能去，有课不能上，大好的求知时光，就这么被白白地辜负了。谁说这不是一件让人痛心疾首的事呢？更不用说那些陪读国际学生的家长们了。这么多年来，含辛茹苦，省吃俭用，终于给自己的宝贝挣来了一个渴盼已久的留学机会，怎知到了这个异国他乡，却牵着孩子的手望学校门而兴叹！

所以，大家的不满和激愤情绪，是完全可以理解的。孩子，就是我们的未来，我们的希望，我们辛勤付出的所有补偿。谁能怪我们太爱他们？太在乎他们？太关注他们的前途和幸福呢？从这个角度来看问题，我百分之百地站在你们一边，我的心无比同情你们， 也无比同情那些暂时失学的孩子们！

到底有什么办法能够帮助解决这个燃眉之急呢？现在政府与工会的矛盾似乎已经到了最尖锐的地步，外人几乎没有能力去干涉什么、影响什么。可是，真的是这样吗？我们作为加拿大社会的广大一簇，我们这些拳拳之心的父母们，真的毫无能力去为我们的孩子们做些什么吗？

我觉得答案应该是肯定的： 我们的确可以通过我们的态度和行动去影响罢工，争取它的早日结束。

说来容易做来难，我们这些罢工的直接受害者们，到底该如何去帮助解开这个死结呢？我个人的看法是：如果我们希望罢工 尽快结束，孩子们早日回到课堂，我们一定要给卑诗省政府施加压力，而尽量对教师工会表示同情与支持。为什么我这样说呢？

大家若冷静地回顾一下这两个月来的谈判进展，就不难发现其实真正不愿意学生立即复课的是政府，而不是老师。大家想一想：到底谁是罢工的受益者呢？显然不是老师，或是孩子，或是老师们。老师们罢工，政府每天可以节省上千万块钱，而那些可怜的老师们，不但没有任何工资可拿，连工会现在也穷得一分钱也发不出来救济他们。我就认识好几个老师尽管面临着断炊之险，依然每天开一个多小时的车去罢工。大家想想：如果是我们自己，我们愿意付出这么大的牺牲吗？

政府总是对外强调：老师们太过于贪婪，要求涨的工资超过其它工会。事实真是这样吗？至少连续五年，卑诗省老师的工资没有涨过一文。如果我们自己也是这样，我们会怎么想？跟加拿大其它省份比较，卑诗省老师的工资几乎是最低的， 连农业省萨省的教师工资都比这里高出不少。我们可以比较一下：卑诗省的生活水平比萨省的又要高出多少？他们的房子要便宜多少？

教师们真的贪婪吗？早在九十年代，卑诗省教师们就在跟政府协商时候在工资方面做出了不少让步，而要求政府将班级规模和班级组成（class size and class composition） 列入教师合同的一部分。而BC政府却在2002年将已确立的协议撕毁。工会不服，将此诉诸法庭，法庭先后两次裁定政府触犯教师的合法谈判权,勒令他们恢复以前的协议和合同，可是省政府却毫不理会法院的判决并对此上诉。所以，这桩诉讼最后的输赢，仍有待法庭最后裁决。

如果大家紧密跟踪最近工会与政府之间的谈判，而不是专注于政府的官方宣传，就不难发现教师们并没有将加工资的要求放在首位，他们强调的还是另外两项：班级规模和班级组成。事实上，几乎所有的老师们都认同这一点：政府所答应的工资涨幅和老师们所要求的已经非常接近，双方对此已经没有什么争论了。而他们的异议主要体现在另外两项：班级规模和班级组成。

一个星期前超过99%的工会成员投票拥护有约束力的仲裁（binding arbitration）。工会明确表示：老师们愿意放弃对薪水、福利等条件的坚持，而将此交由仲裁人来决定。即仲裁人决定是多少就是多少，老师会完全服从。至于其它两项：班级规模和班级组成则留给法庭他日再定。这个提议听起来非常合情合理，然而，教育厅却对此依然拒绝。

如此看来，政府说教师们的要求不合理甚至认为他们贪婪的说法是完全不成立的。如果我们非要相信他们是不合理甚至贪婪的，那么，他们的不合理和贪婪也是无私的不合理，无私的贪婪，因为他们所要求的并不是为了他们自己，而是为了维护千千万万卑诗省的孩子们的切身利益。再说，就算老师们要求增加教育经费，合理加薪也只会吸引更多优秀的人才来献身于教育，而足够的教育资金也只会对孩子们的学习有利无弊。这样的要求到底有什么过分呢？

亲爱的家长们，我们可以问自己几个问题：我们愿意自己的孩子在一个挤得满满的教室里上课吗？我们愿意自己的孩子让一个忙得无暇分身的老师来教导他们吗？在一个有一大半孩子需要特殊照顾和辅导的班级里，我们孩子们的能力会得到最大的发掘吗？我们真的希望公立学校里没有音乐、美术、图书馆、体育，甚至很少有心理辅导吗？

亲爱的家长们，在质问工会之前，请大家用客观的眼光来看看这些老师们。如果老师们这么多年来都没有加薪，他们仍然大度地愿意接受仲裁人来决定他们的工资。这不是已经做出很大的让步了吗？那么，他们依然还苦苦坚持罢工，到底是为了什么？在一个有40个学生的班级里教书和在一个有25个学生的班级里教书的他们，难道得到的工资不是一样的吗？如果他们在乎的不是教学质量，他们还会徘徊在学校大门的外面吗？

亲爱的家长们，如果我们真的渴望孩子们早日回到学校，难道我们要督促的不是卑诗政府吗？试问：作为老师的雇佣者和与工会的直接谈判者，政府到目前为止到底做出了什么让步？如果他们真的有心让工会结束罢工，为什么他们不敢答应有约束力的仲裁（binding arbitration）？教师罢工为政府所省下来的钱，用来支付老师欲涨的工资已绰绰有余。那么，政府到底在害怕什么？

说来说去，还是政府希望工会放弃这两项让他们惧怕的要求：班级规模和班级组成。因为他们心虚：如果在协议中加入这两项，他们就得调整财政预算，就得致力于发展卑诗省的教育，而不是将其它非重要的项目放在首位, 如拨款修建体育馆屋顶或者给大型企业减税。我们应该问问政府：有什么比投资教育更加有意义有回报呢？如果今天在这上面省一点可怜巴巴的小钱，那么明天我们又得在这方面付出怎样惨痛的代价？

政府极力游说：如果工会最终胜利了，那么这些钱都得来自于卑诗纳税人的钱包，我们都得负担额外的税收了。我们应该反问政府：工会的胜利真的就意味着加税吗？政府难道不可以调整其它非核心项目来保证收支平衡？难道政府的领导们不可以坐下来好好思考一下该如何在不削减教育经费的同时改革一些相关体系？这难道不是他们应尽的职责吗？

另外，话说回来，就算加一点税，为了孩子们，难道不是值得的吗？事实上，调查报告已经表明：多数卑诗人愿意为了满足本省孩子们的需要而多付一点税。我就曾亲眼看到好多朋友们毫无顾虑地表示：“加吧，加吧，只要是为了孩子们，一切都是值得的。”

我认识一个公立学校的老师，她每天六点钟就去上班，到傍晚七点钟左右才回。她的班里，单是需要特别照顾的孩子们就有一半，其中一个连自己上厕所都不会，需要有人陪着帮他擦屁股。这位老师曾经有过几个助手帮忙，但现在，却被政府砍得只剩下一个。

还有一个老师，好多次他带了午餐去学校，却发现有几个学生们因为贫困，家里没有给他们准备任何吃的。于是，他常常舍弃自己的午餐，把它分给了那些饥饿的孩子们。而这个罢课的老师，如今生活如此拮据，只能靠从银行借贷度日……

亲爱的父母们，作为孩子们的家长们，我们实在应该体谅这些教师们的一片苦心呵。我们怎能在他们最失落最需要扶持的时候去苛求甚至责难他们？所谓的“我们支持老师，不支持工会”，的这种说法是行不通的。因为工会就是教师权益的代表，我们若支持教师们，就必然得支持工会。试想：如果现在在老师和家长之间制造出不必要的鸿沟，将来又如何去跟他们沟通，去建立心与心之间的联系和感情呢？

中国素来就有尊师重教的传统。孟母为了自己的孩子有一个良好的学习环境，一连搬迁了三次。博学的孔子去拜访老子时，也一再跪地叩拜。汉明帝去拜访他的恩师时，也一定让车子在街口停下，步行到老师的门前，以示尊敬和谦卑。中国人素来尊老师们为“灵魂的工程师”，甚至还有“师恩似海”，“一日为师，终身为父”的俗语。我们到了国外，应该将这些美德和传统发扬光大才是啊。

当政府奚落老师们，嘲笑他们“贪婪”和“不合作”时，我们应该起来质问他们：作为一省之主，作为一个有修养有教育的人，以这样的口吻在大庭广众之下贬低老师，合适吗？当孩子们看到领导们、家长们这样不尊重老师，这对他们有良好的影响吗？“良师出高徒”的道理，在世界任何地方都是成立的呀。试问：一个不受社会尊重的教师，能够教育出高徒们吗？一个郁郁寡欢的教师，能够给孩子们带来快乐和希望吗？

殚竭心力终为子，可怜天下父母心！亲爱的父母们，如果我们衷心希望自己的孩子将来成为一个有用人才，首先，我们得大力支持他们的老师，体察他们的苦情，跟他们站在同一条阵线上，让孩子们从我们的身上和他们的老师们的身上，看到人性、知识、智慧和民主的光辉，以大局为重,以前途为重，去为教育摇旗呐喊、擂鼓助威。在加拿大美丽辽阔的天空下，让我们和孩子们都满怀信心地微笑着：啊，我们移民加拿大是值得的！看！那美好的未来，正一步步向我们迈来……

（空因，2014年9月14日于温哥华）

An Open Letter to All Chinese Parents in BC Province

(by Kongyinhttp://kongyin99.blogspot.ca)

Dear Parents,

My name is Kongyin, a poet originally from China now living in Vancouver. Normally, I shun politics, but today, driven by my conscience, watching the ongoing dispute between the teachers and the government, I feel the need to chat a bit with you from the bottom of my heart.

First of all, I am fully empathetic with you – the parents of the children who have been suffering due to the strike. The schools are beckoning but no classes are taught; so much precious time has flown away when the children should be in school, quenching their thirst for knowledge.

Who said this is not a bitter thing? Even more so for those parents who came here to help their children who are international students. Over many years, these parents had lived frugally, and struggled extremely hard in order to earn this valuable opportunity for their children to be educated in Canada. Now the long-dreamed dream finally came to reality except that after they came to this foreign country, all they can do now is hold their child's hand and linger outside the school!

So, I fully understand you, and your grievances, and frustration.  Children are our future, our hope, the compensation for all our hard work. Who can blame us for loving our children so much? For caring about them so much? For worrying about their future and prospects so much?  From this perspective, I stand one hundred percent on your side; my heart feels for you, as well as for the children who are temporarily out of schools.

What on earth can we do to help solve this crisis, when the conflict between the government and the Union seems to have reached such a point, that few outsiders have any power to do anything? But is it really so? We are a large group in Canadian society, who care sincerely for our children’s future; do we really have no say in this?

The answer is that we are not powerless, and through our attitude and actions, we can indeed do things to help end the strike as soon as possible.

However, this is easier said than done. How are we, the direct victims of this labour dispute, to help unravel this seemingly deadly knot? My personal view is this: If we want to end the strike as soon as possible, and promptly send the children back to their classrooms, we must pressure the BC government to achieve this goal, while expressing sympathy and support for the Union. Why do I say that?

Through calm retrospect of the progress of the negotiations over the past months, it is obvious that the ones prolonging the strike are in fact the government, not the teachers. Think about it: who are the beneficiaries of the strike? Obviously, not the parents, the children or the teachers. During the strike, the government saves tens of millions of dollars per day, while the teachers don’t receive their wages, and the Union is too poor to pay them even a penny. Personally, I know quite a few teachers who, despite having limited money to buy food, drive more than two hours a day to school to get to the picket line. If we were them, would we be willing to sacrifice so dearly?

The BC government always stresses that the teachers are too greedy, and they demand much more than other unions. Is this really so? The teachers have put up with more than five years without a pay increase. Have you received a pay increase over these last five years? The BC teachers’ wages have been almost the lowest compared to the other provinces in Canada; even in Saskatchewan they pay a much higher salary. Ask yourself: in terms of the cost of living, how much higher is BC than Saskatchewan? And how much cheaper the houses there compared to here?

Are teachers really greedy? Back in the nineties, BC teachers gave numerous concessions in terms of wages and other benefits to secure limits to class size and class composition, but in 2002, the BC government flatly tore up this agreement so the Union had to go court to appeal this. And twice, the courts ordered the government to restore the previous agreements and contracts, but the government has turned a deaf ear to this. This matter is in front of the court today to be ruled on in the near future.

If you closely follow the recent negotiations between the Union and the government, and not government propaganda, you will find that the highest priority from the teachers is not any wage increase but the emphasis on these two issues: class size and class composition. In fact, almost all teachers would agree that the negotiations are very close, in terms of wage increase, between what the government’s proposes and what the Union requests. On this point, they are hardly arguing anymore; their main divergence is reflected in class size and class composition.

A week ago more than ninety nine percent of union members voted to end the strike through binding arbitration which clearly states: teachers are willing to give up their salary and benefit demands, and accept the arbitration of a neutral third party; whatever this third party decides, the teachers will agree to it. As for the other two issues, class size and class composition, these will be left to the judgement of the courts. This proposal sounds quite reasonable; however, the government still rejected it.

Hence, it seems it is quite puzzling that the government is trying to paint the teachers as unreasonable and greedy. If we do believe they are unreasonable and greedy, then we have to believe that their unreasonableness and greediness is on the children’s behalf, for what they are fighting for is not for themselves, but for the immediate concern and vital interests of BC children. A reasonable pay increase will bring brighter minds into education, and sufficient funding will only benefit your children’s school experience.

Dear Parents, please ask yourself these questions: Do you really want your children to be crammed in a tight classroom struggling to learn? Are you willing to let an overburdened teacher teach your children?  In a class full of coded students, students who are coded for learning issues or behaviour problems, do you really think your children’s potential will be tapped to its maximum? No music, art, library, sports, and little counselling; is this really what you envision for public education?

Dear Parents, before you start to question the Union, I beg you to take a look at them with objective eyes. The teachers have survived five years with no pay increases and are willing to settle money issues through arbitration, so why are they so obstinate? They will get the same salary teaching a class of forty or a class of twenty five students. If they didn’t care for the quality of education, they would not still be picketing outside the schools.

 Dear Parents, if you really want the kids back to school as soon as possible, you have to urge the BC government to do something about it. The government, as the direct employers of the teachers as well as the negotiators with the Union, has done little so far. And if they really meant to end the strike, why are they afraid to agree to binding arbitration? The money not paid to teachers during the strike will easily pay for any wage increase. What are they scared of if they have a clear conscience?

Yes, these two things are the sticking points for the government: class size and class composition. They are afraid that if the courts order them to reinstate these two, the government would have to adjust their budget, and become committed to the development of education for all students in British Columbia, rather than focusing on other non-priority projects like stadium roofs, or money in tax breaks for big businesses. We should ask the government: what is more meaningful and rewarding than investing in children? And if we save a little petty cash today, what terrible price will we have to pay tomorrow in this regard?

The BC government is strongly lobbying against education, saying that if the Union wins, the BC taxpayers' wallets will be depleted, for we will have to bear additional taxes. Nevertheless, does the victory of the Union absolutely predict added tax? Can’t the BC government adjust other non-core projects to ensure a balanced budget? Can’t the government leaders at least try to discover how to reform their spending habits by not axing education funding first? Isn’t this their duty, their job?

After having said that, even if we have to pay a little added tax for the benefit of our children, is it not worthwhile? In fact, according to surveys, the majority of BC people have acknowledged that they are willing to bear additional tax for the future of the BC children. Many of my friends said without hesitation, "Bring the tax; for our children, we will bear it, we will bear everything."

A friend of mine, who teaches in a public school, normally goes to work at six o'clock every morning, and doesn’t return home until about seven o'clock in the evening. She told me that in her class alone, half of her children were coded and needed special care; one of them can’t go to toilet on his own, and has to have someone accompany him and help him clean. This teacher used to have several assistants in her classroom, but all but one of these have been cut.

Another teacher friend of mine regularly shared his lunch with those hungry students whose families were too poor to provide them adequate food. Now this same teacher is so poor himself that during the strike he has had to borrow money from the bank to feed his own family.

Dear parents, we really should try to be sympathetic with what these teachers have been through to benefit the children of BC. How can we even think to give them a kick when they need kindness and support?  Some of us claim: "We support teachers, not the Union," but we have to know that this argument shows only ignorance of the situation. The Union is the epitome of the teachers and the byword of the teachers’ interests. If we support the teachers, inevitably, we have to support the Union. Just think about this: If we try to dig a ditch between the teachers and us, how can we easily communicate with them and establish a heart to heart relationship in the future?

We came from China, which has always had a tradition of respecting teachers. Mencius’ mother moved three times in order for her son to have a sound learning environment;  Confucius, the learned man, went to visit the sage Lao Tsu, and repeatedly bowed down to him on his knees. When Emperor Han Ming went to call on his mentor, he would have his carriage stop at the corner of the street, and then walk to his teacher’s door, as he thought this would be the best way to show his humility and respect. In China, we always respect teachers and call them the "engineers of souls", and we even have idioms like "the affection for my teacher is as deep as the sea", or "One day being my teacher, all my life being my father". Now that we are abroad, we should let these virtues and traditions blossom, rather than watch them wither.

When the government ridicules the teachers, labelling them as "greedy" and "uncooperative", we should dare to stand up and question the government: “as the leaders of the province, and as an educated and civilized person, who does it benefit to use such a demeaning tone towards our teachers?” And when children see government leaders and parents belittling their teachers, what influence will this have on them and their education?

We have a saying in China: “A great master brings out great disciples”, and this proverb is universally applicable. How can we expect a society that disrespects teachers will produce promising and capable people? How can we expect an unhappy teacher to bring joy and hope to our children?

If we sincerely want our children to be accomplished, first and foremost, we have to support their teachers, be empathetic to their pains, and stand on the same line with them. This way, from us and their teachers, children will see the gleam of humanity, knowledge, wisdom and democracy. Therefore they will always look at the big picture and become strong advocates for their education and future. 

After all, is not great parental love focused on children? While standing under the vast beautiful Canadian sky, let us, as well as our children, all smile with confidence: ah, our choice of relocating to Canada was such a great move! Look! How bright the future, striding to us, step by step...

(Kongyin, September 14, 2014 in Vancouver)