Almost 7 years ago, scattered @bctf members started calling out govt and media pundits' lies about teachers and . #bced on Twitter.
It wasn't *exactly* a full-time job. It was 18 hrs/day watch&respond volunteer work 7 days/wk for >8 months, until we got us a contract in 2014. 1/ https://twitter.com/terimooring/status/1336857852594409473

Some said our work helped rally public support. Thx to @MovingParadigms we even met, & were 'amplified' that evening by CBC News. When asked, the reporter said the story would be 'teacher confusion' over govt, ahem, 'baloney.'
She left us with - and viewers saw - no confusion. 2/

Our 2014 strike was hard. Teachers are dedicated, in BC as much as anywhere. To not fulfil our "sacred trust" for any time is painful. Many of us are parents & share families' hurt. We endured constant govt & media attacks. Add $10k each, lost by Canada's lowest-paid teachers. 3/

Yes BC teachers are still Canada's lowest-paid c.o.l. included. BC students are funded $1800/yr below the Canadian average.
The 2014 strike stopped it all from getting much worse. We had no choice but to stand up & w crucial, solid, 60% public support, together we saved #bced. 4/

2020 bears similarities to 2014. Students, support staff, teachers, families, again face an existential threat. It is not a direct threat to #bced this time, but to people in and connected to it.
Where 2020 also differs is in @bctf *discounting* the threat. It tells us all... 5/

'Follow the PHO.' 'Teachers aren't epidemiologists.' 'The govt/PHO just has to communicate better.'

Again: we've seen govt 'loose connection to truth' before. W/o @bctf support, vs 'pundits' & >200 hired 'influencers,' a motley crew pounded out truths in response in 2014. 6/

In 2020 the BC govt chooses not to stay current with CV19 research - eg, a meta-analysis of results from 131 nations published in Oct's The Lancet. 'Schools spread CV19 & *require* diligent safety measures to limit it.' All in crystal clear English. Zero expertise required. 7/

Yesterday, quote-tweeted to begin this thread, we were informed in effect it's 'business as usual' for @bctf. As 'usual' as possible, that is, working safely from home. No action is coming.
CV19 safety measures for members & everyone in schools will continue to be requested. 8/

Thing is, that request has not only been refused, it has been *silenced* at least twice, first on July 29th.
So, asking *again* after BC's PHO and Premier just reiterated "Schools are safe places," well, good luck.
Everyone directly involved in #bced: good luck to you, too. 9/

Myles Horton died 30 yrs ago, after helping organize the CIO 1920s - 40s, & 1940s-60s fuel the US civil rights mvmnt. From Myles & his pal, my mentor diane marino who passed soon after him:
*Unions organized for members' health and safety. We made that road by walking.*

10/10