Dear Editor:
Re: BCTF out of touch with reality, In My Opinion, Burnaby NOW, July 13.
My applause to Keith Baldrey for writing such an eloquent and down to the point article in regards to teachers' negotiations.
Two weeks off with pay for the death of a friend is absolutely unrealistic and absurd. What I wonder is: Is there going to be a cap in their working agreement to how many friends this applies to? Or are some of these teachers going to take a scholastic year off on the grounds that everyone that dies is one of his/her friends.
How can teachers expect the public to support them in the case of a strike?
Unions are absolutely necessary. We all should be thankful for what they have done through the years so that we can now enjoy the benefits of the workplaces.
That said, however, for any union to be that unrealistic and out of touch with the real world not only angers people but gives other unions a bad reputation.
I also agree with Mr. Baldrey that the $300,000 pension to David Hahn, head of B.C. Ferries, is outrageous.
We all deserve to retire with a comfortable income , but let's be serious: a $300,000 pension? Now we know why the government is pushing so hard for the HST.
Frank Di Cesare, Burnaby
